Advanced

Peter Cossins, VK3BFG is holding an Advanced course (on-line) starting Monday 13th May.
Book your place and further information

This is the top level which brings with it full operating privileges. This includes higher transmit power and access to 25 frequency bands. With this also comes portability of qualifications enabling you to operate in many other countries which can be helpful on a holiday or business trip.

Advanced is formerly recognised as a partial exemption as prior learning and may exempt the holder from completing learning outcomes in some elements of training units in TAFE. Particularly for all this helps to expand an interest in communications, electronics or science. For young people considering a technical career, being a radio amateur can certainly be of benefit.

Text references

The following texts are recommended. Radio Theory Handbook - Ronald Bertrand and Radio Theory Handbook for Amateurs - Fred Swainston, available from the Wireless Institute of Australia

If you have Foundation or Standard qualification the following assessments are required
  1. A theory examination consisting of 50 multi-choice questions to be completed within one and a half hours. The pass grade is a minimum of 35 correct answers.
  2. A Regulations examination consisting of 30 multi-choice questions to be completed within 30 minutes

The pass grade is a minimum of 21 correct answers

If you have no Amateur Radio qualification the following assessments will be required
  1. The theory and Regulations examinations above
  2. A practical assessment of operating principles and safety

A pass in all components of this assessment is required.

  1. Identify transmission lines types, co-axial and balanced, unbalanced and balanced
  2. Identify common coaxial connectors, PL259, BNC, N Type
  3. Conduct or describe a Continuity Test on co-axial transmission line
  4. Identification of common antennas: Beam/yagi, Vertical, Folded Dipole, Centre Fed Dipole, End Fed Long Wire
  5. Identification of electronic symbols
  6. Connect (or describe how connect) a Transmitter/Receiver to a power supply, microphone, transmission line and antenna
  7. Referring to the current LCD, state the band limits of any four requested by the Assessor
  8. Demonstrate what actions you should take before transmitting on any frequency
  9. Demonstrate making an on air call on HF, VHF or UHF
    Demonstrate knowledge and use of signal reporting R-S-T
  10. Demonstrate operating through a Repeater including a possible requirement for CTSS or DTMF tones
  11. State the purpose of Q Codes and the Phonetic Alphabet
  12. Demonstrate transmission line VSWR measurement and two methods of correction of high VSWR
  13. Demonstrate the understanding of dangerous voltages and currents
  • 135.7KHz – 137.8KHz 2200m
  • 472KHz – 479KHz 630m
  • 1.800MHz – 1.875MHz 160m
  • 3.500MHz – 3.800MHz 80m
  • 7.000MHz – 7.300MHz 40m
  • 10.100MHz – 10.150MHz 30m
  • 14.000MHz – 14.350MHz 20m
  • 18.068MHz – 18.168MHz 17m
  • 21.000MHz – 21.450MHz 15m
  • 24.890MHz – 24.990MHz 12m
  • 28.000MHZ – 29.700MHz 10m
  • 50.000MHz – 54.000MHz 6m
  • 144.000MHz – 148.000MHz 2m
  • 420.000MHz – 450.000MHz 70cm
  • 1.240GHz – 1.300GHz 23cm
  • 2.300GHz – 2.302GHz 13cm
  • 2.400GHz – 2.450GHz 13cm
  • 3.300GHz – 3.600GHz 9cm
  • 5.650GHz – 5.850GHz 6cm
  • 10.000GHz – 10.500GHz 3cm
  • 24.000GHz – 24.250GHz 12mm
  • 47.000GHz – 47.200GHz 6mm
  • 76.000GHz – 81.000GHz 4mm
  • 122.250GHz – 123.000GHz
  • 134.000GHz – 141.000GHz
  • 241.000GHz – 250.00GHz
Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination 2015
Australian band plans

Trial assessment A / Trial assessment B

Online tutorial

Amateur Radio Victoria offers an on-line tutorial when there is sufficient demand.

Online assessments

Amateur Radio Victoria offers on line assessments for all levels of amateur radio qualifications, contact Peter Cossins VK3BFG at vk3bfg[at]amateurradio.com.au

Amateur Radio Victoria

Remote Examination Process

ACMA Recognition Certificate

Australian Communicatons and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for managing all the radio spectrum in Australia and also the administration of Amateur Radio assessments.

Your first action is to send an email to your selected Assessor with the following information.

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Clearly indicate which assessments are required.

If you are already have a Foundation level then you will not need to repeat the practical.

  • Foundation or
  • Standard Theory or
  • Standard Theory and Regulations or
  • Standard Theory, Regulations and Practical or
  • Advanced Theory or
  • Advanced Theory and Regulations or
  • Advanced Theory, Regulations and Practical

The remote examination process requires two video sources with access to the internet. For example a single PC with its camera can be used together with a Laptop or Mobile Phone the latter clearly showing the work area.

The communication is conducted using Zoom. I will send you a link via email and you simply click on it at the agreed time. You do not have to have Zoom loaded on your PC. I will then send you a second link that will connect you to view the examination paper on the PC facing you. Remember I need to see your work space clearly all the time.

At the end of the prescribed time, you close the examination paper link down, scan or take a photo of the answer sheet and send it to me straight away by email.

We will then undertake the practical by Q and A and simulations if that component has not been undertaken previously.

I will also need to view your Drivers Licence or Passport to formerly identify you. If you have already achieved a Recognition Level and you are upgrading, then you will not need apply for a callsign unless you wish a change.

After the assessment the assessor will mark your paper, advise you of the result and upload it to the ACMA.

Before being able to operate, the candidate has to apply to the ACMA and receive:

  1. an ACMA recognition certificate
  2. a valid callsign

Visit Qualifications to operate amateur radio

ACMA Fees and Charges: to 30 June 2024

  • ACMA recognition certificate application: $45.20
  • Call sign applications:
    • Next-available call sign: $30.15
    • Preferential call signs:
      • 2-letter call sign with the prefix VK1, VK5, VK6, VK7 or VK8 $41.45
      • 2-letter call sign with the prefix VK2, VK3, VK4 $52.75
      • 3-letter call sign with the prefix VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7 or VK8 $41.45
    • Special event, contest or VK0 or VK9 call sign $52.75
    • Replacement call sign: no charge
    • Recognition of prior learning assessment application $188.35

Peter Cossins VK3BFG

ACMA Specialist Assessor

Amateur Radio Victoria

vk3bfg[at]amateurradio.com.au

Face to face assessments

Amateur Radio Victoria conducts examinations in Central Victoria for all levels. To arrange an assessment contact Ross Pittard VK3CE, at vk3ce[at]amateurradio.com.au

Assessments can also be undertaken in the Amateur Radio Victoria rooms in Ashburton.

These options will be dependent on government regulations for a safe environment.

Callsign allocation

After successfully acheiving a pass grade you can apply to the ACMA for a callsign.

View the publically available callsigns before making a decision.

All callsigns allocated in Victoria have a VK3 prefix. Eg VK3XYZ.

Any operator with a callsign may keep it when upgrading. The letter R is reserved for Repeaters. eg VK3RML.

Downloads

Join Amateur Radio Victoria

$40 Full, $30 Concession

Logbook

$24.50 posted within VK

QSL card gallery