Path: news.cs.tut.fi!news.funet.fi!news.csc.fi!news.eunet.fi!EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!aggedor.rmit.EDU.AU!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.cs.su.oz.au!metro!asstdc.scgt.oz.au!active!news From: cheese@active.asstdc.com.au (Mark Cheeseman) Newsgroups: aus.radio,rec.radio.info Subject: aus.radio Frequently Asked Questions Message-ID: Date: Wed, 01 Feb 95 19:15:24 AEST Followup-To: aus.radio Distribution: aus Organization: Radio Active BBS, Sydney Australia Lines: 763 Approved: rec-radio-info@ve6mgs.ampr.ab.ca X-Last-Updated: 15-01-95 Xref: news.cs.tut.fi aus.radio:793 rec.radio.info:7611 ================================================================= aus.radio FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ================================================================= This document is intended to answer some of the questions which frequently arise in relation to amateur radio, particularly in the aus.radio newsgroup. It is not intended to replace the FAQ for rec.radio.amateur.misc, but rather, to supplement it with local content specific to Australia. The latter document is rather large, and contains a lot which is relevant to countries outside the US, and duplicating this material seems somewhat wasteful. This FAQ is posted on the first day of every month to the aus.radio newsgroup and is cross-posted to rec.radio.info. The latest copy of the FAQ is available in plain text form as ftp://grivel.une.edu.au /pub/ham-radio/aus.radio/faq/australia. You'll also find the US faqs here, as well as a whole lot of other goodies of interest to amateurs. The amateur radio section of this site is maintained by Dean Davidson VK2ZID. For FidoNetters, it can also be file requested from 3:712/412 as `FAQ', or you can log in manually to the Radio Active BBS on +61 2 399 9268. As a last resort, you can get the latest copy by mailing a request to me, at the above address. The questions asked (and answered) here aren't taken verbatim from the newsgroup -- my memory isn't that good, and I don't have archives of everything ever posted to the group. However, I believe that they are representative of the type of questions which are frequently posted by those seeking more information on the fascinating hobby of amateur radio. If you don't think so, please tell me (and post a suitable submission for inclusion in the next release of the FAQ). What is aus.radio? aus.radio is an unmoderated newsgroup, for the discussion of amateur radio topics, particularly those applicable to Australian operation. The newsgroup evolved from a mailing list, ar-list, which was started by Dave Horsfall VK2KFU, some time around 1987. Associated newsgroups are aus.radio.packet, for the discussion of packet radio matters, and aus.radio.wicen, which carries messages of relevance to WICEN (see later for definition). FAQs for these other groups are currently under development (not by me though). The aus.radio.amsat newsgroup no longer exists, so if it does at your site, you should remove it. AMSAT bulletins which were posted here are available from the AMSAT mailing lists. To subscribe, send mail to listserv@amsat.org using the usual listserv commands. They are also posted to rec.radio.info. As well as being carried on AARNet, they are also gatewayed to some bulletin boards on the FidoNet network. They don't stay within the boundaries of Australia either -- articles from New Zealand and even the USA are seen from time to time. There is currently no mailing list version of the groups. What is Amateur Radio? The Spectrum Management Agency (SMA), which took over the role of managing Australian radio services from the Department of Transport and Communications (DOTC), describes the amateur radio service thus: `The Amateur Service is a radiocommunications service established for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by duly authorised persons solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.' [RIB 71] This pretty much encapsulates the spirit of amateur radio, and every country which has an amateur service, defines the service in similar words. The central principle of amateur radio is experimentation. Alas, not every amateur does much real experimentation, but amateur radio is easily the most open radio service in the country, with minimal restrictions on what modes you can use (and many of those restrictions which exist now are likely to be eliminated in the next few months). The regulations are deliberately open, in order to encourage experimentation. Is Amateur Radio like CB? One of the most common responses when you tell somebody you're a radio amateur, is "is that like CB?". To which the answer is an unqualified "yes and no". Yes -- because they're both pretty open services, and you don't necessarily have to communicate with a closed group of other people (though many seem to like it that way). But there are more differences than similarities. CB permits business activities, amateur radio doesn't. There are two CB bands of 40 channels each. Amateurs have access to dozens of bands, each with as many channels as can be squeezed into the available space. CB operators are limited to 5 watts of output power (12 watts on SSB). Amateurs can run 120 watts output, or 400W on SSB. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera... What can I do with Amateur Radio? Basically, whatever interests you. Some people like to chase awards, others like to work rare overseas stations. Others experiment with television, or digital modes such as radio teletype (RTTY), AMTOR, packet radio, or the newer PACTOR, which is something of a combination of the AMTOR and packet modes. Hidden transmitter hunts (foxhunts) are popular with some, and help hone skills useful for tracking down interference. Amateur satellites provide a unique challenge to some operators, while others like to bounce signals off our only natural satellite -- the moon. Still others enjoy working the world with the lowest possible power (called QRP operation), or bouncing signals off meteor trails, or aircraft flight paths. Some amateurs like building their own equipment, although with the range of high-quality commercially made gear coming out of Japan, this is not as popular as it once was. However there are still a lot of accessories that can be built, and experimentation with new modes often requires some work with the soldering iron. Or if soldering isn't your scene, you can try your hand at building antennas, or writing routing code for packet radio. We in Australia are fortunate in having one of the most unregulated amateur radio services in the world, and there are relatively few restrictions on what sort of signals we transmit in our allocated bands. This makes experimentation in new modes simple from a legal viewpoint, which after all is the main aim of the hobby. What can't I do with Amateur Radio? Basically, you can do anything with amateur radio, unless it's prohibited by regulations. The main restriction is a prohibition of any form of commercial activity -- which in any case is not in the spirit of amateur radio. About the only other thing which is expressly forbidden on amateur frequencies is the transmission of music, or other forms of entertainment (although some amateur conversations can provide entertainment to listeners-in). However, incidental music is permissible on amateur television (ATV) transmissions. Again, the official line is: An amateur station shall not be used: (a) for financial gain; (b) to transmit any form of entertainment including: (i) music; (ii) aural or visual amusement; (iii) video or radio broadcast programmes; or (iv) advertisement material. (c) to transmit material relating to industrial, commercial, political, social or religious matters. [RIB 71] Do I need to know morse code? No. At least, not for the class of licence known as the Limited Licence. Basic morse skills are an ITU (International Telecommunications Union) requirement for transmission on the HF bands (below 30MHz), and in Australia, there are two levels of morse code proficiency, leading to two classes of licence which permit operation on the HF bands. More on licence classes later... How do I get a licence? Simply by sitting for the appropriate examinations, and passing. There are various grades of licence, each of which requires passes in at least a regulations paper, and a theory paper. Applicants for all classes of licence sit for (and need to pass) the same regulations paper. At the moment, there are two different theory papers -- one for applicants for the novice licence, and the other for the limited and unrestricted licences. Candidates for the novice licence have to demonstrate the ability to send and receive morse code at 5 words per minute (wpm), while for those seeking an unrestricted licence, the speed is 10wpm. Limited licence holders don't need to pass any tests in morse code, although they can use that mode if they so desire. There is also a combined novice/limited licence, which is available to candidates who have passed the regulations, limited theory, and novice morse tests. The Department of Transport and Communications (DoTC) has announced major changes to amateur radio licence conditions in Australia, but at this time, exact details aren't known (not by me anyway:-)). Who conducts the examinations? The examinations for amateur certificates used to be conducted by the DoTC itself, but it was determined some time ago that it would be cheaper (for the Department), if the amateur community took care of its own examination procedures. While the DoTC still sets the standards for examinations, the actual administration of the examination system is handled by the WIA, and the exams themselves are conducted by private individuals, radio clubs, and the various WIA divisions. For a list of accredited examiners, contact the federal office of the WIA. Complete lists of examiners are published from time to time in Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio Action magazines. What classes of licence are there? Before getting into licence classes, it should be pointed out that there is a difference between a station licence, and a certificate of proficiency. When you pass your examinations, you gain one of three certificates of proficiency, depending on which tests you sat for and passed. This certificate doesn't give you any authorisation to operate an amateur station -- it's merely proof that you are qualified to do so. The situation is somewhat analogous to an automobile driver's licence, which permits you to drive a motor vehicle, provided that vehicle is registered. The station licence is issued to the station itself, not the operator (although the operator has to produce a suitable certificate in order to obtain a station licence). Station licences are normally issued to individuals, but radio clubs can also hold licences for club stations. Using the above analogy, the station licence is your motor vehicle registration. The callsign which amateurs announce on-air at regular intervals belongs to the station, not the operator. If you are operating somebody else's amateur station (or a club station), you use their callsign, not yours. In Australia there are (at present) three basic classes of certificate. There is the unrestricted certificate (full call), which allows the operator to use any band and mode in the amateur service, without restriction. Its official name is the Amateur Operator's Certificate of Proficiency, or AOCP. The limited licence has privileges identical to the unrestricted licence, but only on frequencies above 30MHz. Since the next amateur band above 30MHz is the 50-54MHz 6m band, this is the lowest frequency band you will find limited licencees. Because this is a limited version of the above certificate, its called the AOLCP (the L is for limited, no less). The novice certificate allows operation on parts of the 10, 15 and 80 metre bands, using CW (morse) or SSB and AM (voice) modes. Licensees can also operate on part of the 2m band, using FM (voice). This is the newest of the present licence classes, and is officially called the NAOCP (yep -- that's N for novice). People who have passed the tests necessary to hold both the limited and novice certificates, can apply for a combined limited/novice licence. This doesn't carry any privileges over and above those of both licences put together, but means the operator only needs one callsign, and only has to pay one licence fee. When this FAQ was first put together, the amateur licence conditions were in the process of being updated. Foremost among these changes will be the introduction of a new licence class with a novice-level theory exam, but no morse code requirement. At this time, however, no new licence classes have been introduces, although this is expected to happen Real Soon Now. After the licence, then what? Once you've passed the exams for your chosen class of licence, then the real fun begins (unless you're an exam addict, and only wanted to become an amateur for the thrill of the exam:-)). There are so many different facets to the amateur radio hobby, that it will be impossible to go into them all here. However, here's a few of the more popular: DX hunting: Some amateurs like to work stations as far away as possible, and collect so-called QSL cards to prove the fact. Some countries are rarely heard on air (usually because they have few amateurs), and snaring the "rare DX" is the holy grail for many amateurs. Other countries don't even have an amateur radio service, and often a group of amateurs will mount a "DXpedition" to that country giving amateurs from around the world to an opportunity to work a country that they normally would never get the chance to work. Low power operation: Also known as QRP operation, as the name implies, it is the challenge of working long distances with just a few watts (or even less) of power. Good antennas and finding the right propagation conditions are the keys here. Fox hunting: No, you don't need a gun licence for this (or indeed a gun)! Also known as hidden transmitter hunts, fox hunting tests the skills of its participants by requiring the competitors to locate a hidden transmitter in some defined area. The use of directional antennas and other direction-finding equipment allows the direction of the transmitted signal to be determined. Hunts can take place either on foot, or in vehicles, or both, and also have practical applications in developing skills for locating interference (intentional or otherwise) to communications. Contests and Awards: Another popular activity amongst radio amateurs is contesting. Various contests are held throughout the year, with the aim of promoting communications using a particular mode or band, or with a specific group of amateurs. Awards generally have no time limit, allowing the operator to accumulate the required contacts over any period of time which suits. Awards usually take the form of working a certain number of stations from a particular area, or working at least one station each in a different geographical region (for example, a state or continent). Packet Radio Anybody at all familiar with digital communications, will know of packets. Data are sent in discrete bundles, called packets, which can be individually checked for integrity and acknowledged (or NAK'ed), and processed, or routed on to somewhere else. Packet radio is exactly the same thing, except that the packets fly through the air with the greatest of ease, instead of being sent over wires. Many people who have an interest both in computers and radio, find packet radio experimentation to be a natural marriage of the two fields. The basic protocol used in packet radio is called AX- 25, an adaptation some would say, bastardisation) of X.25. Error correction is achieved through a 16 bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC). Although AX-25 is by far the most common protocol in use, amateurs are free to experiment with other protocols which meet the DoTC identification requirements (which are likely to be relaxed in the near future). This is unlike some countries, which are forced to use AX-25. Some amateurs are also working with the Internet protocol suite on the airwaves. Phil Karn KA9Q created a stand-alone TCP/IP program that allows just about any IBM PC compatible to use TCP/IP on air. This program has been ported to a number of other platforms, and many people just use it as a router, and use native TCP/IP on whatever computer they normally use. Most packet activity happens at the lightning fast speed [:-)] of 1200bps (bits per second). To make matters worse, it's half duplex (because off-the-shelf radios themselves are half duplex devices). So if you're used to V.32bis comms on phone lines, you're in for a bit of a shock with packet! And if that's not slow enough already, many people can (and usually do) use a single packet frequency at once, so the available bandwidth is divided between all the users. The news isn't all bad, however. Some TNCs have built-in 2400bps modems, and there are readily available modem designs that operate at 4800, 9600 and 56K bps, and if you can find somebody using one of these faster modems, you don't have to talk at 1200. There's even amateurs in the 'States experimenting with 2Mbps full duplex over microwaves -- that's as fast as ISDN primary rate! How do I get into Packet? Because packet radio uses isochronous communications (essentially start/stop synchronous), you can't just connect a modem up to the regular serial port in most PCs, and use it for packet. Most packet operators use a device called a TNC (terminal node controller) which is about the size and shape of a telephone modem, and connects between a standard asynchronous serial port, and a radio transceiver. However, it's much more than a modem, it operates as a PAD (packet assembler- disassembler), and also provides a user interface to facilitate the setting up and tearing down of connections to other packet systems. The advantage of the TNC approach is that it works with just about any computer (personal or otherwise) with a standard asynchronous serial port. Also, because it is dedicated to packet, and does all its framing and such in hardware, it can operate at relatively high speeds. A cheaper alternative is to do all that in software, and bit-bang the packets by toggling a bit of an I/O port on and off. The only extra hardware you need for this is a simple FSK modem, which can be implemented with a single 16 pin chip, a crystal, and little else. Software to work with such modems is available for a variety of computer platforms, including the IBM PC range. Here's a short table of software for various machines, supporting TNCless operation (from VK1KCM, with additions from VK4ZDR). Microcomputer Program ---------------------------------------------------------------- IBM PC Baycom SP (Eskay Packet) [Baycom style modem] GP (Graphic Packet) " PMP (Poor Man's Packet) EZPACKET [PMP style modem] AX25DRV (with KA9Q NOS) TFPCX (Packet driver for Baycom style modems) Macintosh SoftKiss (with KA9Q NOS) Commodore 64 Digicom64 (Baycom) C=PAK (AAPRA) Microbee BeePak (no longer supported) Baycom has been distributed as shareware up to and including version 1.5, but I understand that future versions will only be available from authorised distributors (AAPRA in Australia). A modem suitable for use with the Baycom software was described in the January 1993 issue of Electronics Australia. SP is available as an executable, and also TurboC/TASM source code. GP has a nice graphics interface, and is available in executable form only. Both can drive either a TNC or a Baycom- style modem. PMP on the other hand is in the public domain, and both source and executables are available from a variety of sources. The modem for PMP was described in the August 1991 issue of 73 magazine, with errata appearing in subsequent issues. EZPACKET is available in executable form only, and also drives a PMP style modem. Most programs using the Baycom style modem use a serial COM port, and are fully interrupt driven. However, most programs using the PMP style modem use a parallel printer port, and are NOT interrupt driven. The consequence of this is that the non- interrupt driven programs may tend to lose keyboard characters under high traffic conditions. Most packet activity occurs on the 2m (144MHz) amateur band, so the other hardware requirement is a suitable 2m FM transceiver. For 1200bps, most any transceiver will do, even a hand held (although the power might need boosting if you are in a low signal area). There is also some long distance packet on the HF bands, and this is mostly at 300bps. Again, most amateur HF rigs are suitable. Packet BBSes Packet radio, being a digital communications mode, lends itself to unattended operations, such as BBSes. Packet BBSes are similar in many ways to those found in land-line service, with file areas, messages, bulletins, automatic forwarding to other boards, and so on. Messages and files tend to be related to amateur radio, and regulations further restrict the content of material transmitted through packet BBSes, as with all amateur communications. The packet BBS network spans a large part of the globe, and is linked by VHF over short distances, and HF radio carries the traffic between countries. If you want to sample the packet BBS network, look for a land-line BBS carrying the Fidonet VK_PACKET conference, which is in fact a gateway from the packet BBS network. Most of the BBSes listed later in this FAQ carry this conference. Bandwidth limitations mean that you won't find large files here, and large messages (especially to international sites) are frowned upon. Still, it's an alternative (albeit a very different one) to landline networks such as the Internet and FidoNet. Can I use Packet to access the Internet? In short, no. There are some (indeed, many) connections between the amateur packet network and the Internet, but these are very carefully set up in order to prevent any breaches of licencing conditions. Specifically, most of these connections take the form of wormholes, which allow the Internet to serve as a backbone for amateur traffic over paths which can't be adequately served by radio. The only traffic which passes out of the Internet and into the packet network through these wormholes is traffic which originated in other amateur packet networks, so no laws are broken. Nobody to my knowledge gateways news to packet, because each message has to be checked for suitability, and the packet networks currently in existence don't have the necessary bandwidth in any case. Satellites One of the most exciting fields in amateur radio is the amateur satellite program. Yes, there are actually several small satellites orbiting the earth built and operated by radio amateurs from around the world. AMSAT is the world-wide body which coordinates satellite construction, and lobbies for spare space on commercial launch vehicles. These satellites permit communications by morse code, voice, or packet radio, over large distances using line-of-sight frequencies in the VHF and UHF spectrum. Television Yes, a Limited or Full amateur radio licence is also your amateur television licence, if you're so inclined. Slow-scan TV takes several seconds to transmit a frame (a sort of on-air slide show), but allows images to be transmitted over large distances using HF bands which don't have the room for conventional television signals. On the UHF bands and higher, amateurs can use fast-scan TV, which is just like conventional TV broadcasts (albeit, at somewhat lower power). They can be black-and-white or colour, and have the usual sound accompaniment. In Sydney, you can catch ATV transmissions on channel 35 in the regular UHF TV band from the Gladesville Amateur TV Group on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Public Service One of the activities with which amateurs occupy their time is public service. This can be further categorised into two areas -- communications support for public events, and emergency communications. The former often serve as message-passing exercises for the latter, aside from the immediate public service they provide. The importance of the public service facet of amateur radio cannot be over-emphasised. Aside from the warm inner glow one receives from helping people communicate in times of need, there is another (possibly more selfish) reason for helping others with our communications skills. Although public service agencies have access to better communications facilities than in the past, amateur radio can (and does) still fulfil an important role during times of emergency. Amateurs have access to a wider range of operating frequencies than any other organisation (with the exception of the military), and more importantly, the knowledge with which to put these frequencies to best use in a given situation. As amateurs, we have access to parts of the radio frequency spectrum which commercial interests would be willing to pay millions of dollars for on a yearly basis. Our token licence fees come nowhere covering the market value of the spectrum space which we can use, and by providing public service communications when its needed, we're at least giving the rest of society some return for the consideration given us. WICEN One of the most visible ways in which amateurs can provide public service, is through the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN). WICEN is a group of trained amateur radio operators, which provides communications support for the emergency services during times of disaster. Because WICEN operators are radio amateurs, the organisation has at its disposal more bandwidth, and a wider variety of frequencies, than any public safety agency, with the exception of the military. As such, WICEN can often provide a communications link between locations whose situation precludes the use of the communications equipment normally at the disposal of these agencies. WICEN conducts many exercises throughout the year, by providing communications for community events such as fun runs and rallies. Aside from the immediate public service rendered by the communications provided, they also serve to train operators in message passing procedures. These exercises also give WICEN (and amateur radio in general) some much-needed PR exposure. Some events in NSW which utilise WICEN communications in their running are the Sun-Herald City-to- Surf race in Sydney, the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, and the annual VRA (volunteer rescue association) cave rescue exercise at Bungonia caves. For more information on WICEN, refer to the WICEN FAQ, which is available from most of the places where you can find this one, as well as the WICEN telephone BBSes (listed below). What periodicals cover amateur radio? There are a number of magazines, both Australian and international, which serve the interests of radio amateurs. Here's a brief run-down of the more common ones: Amateur Radio is the official organ of the WIA, and is available free to members -- it is distributed to all members monthly, with the exception of those who chose not to receive it (and pay a lower annual subscription). Amateur Radio Action is a commercial monthly publication, and is the only other amateur radio-specific periodical published in this country. Electronics Australia and Silicon Chip are general interest hobby electronics magazines, but they do publish a number of projects and feature articles from time to time which are of interest to amateurs. CB Action, as you might guess, is mainly aimed at CB operators, but it also carries material of interest to amateurs (especially beginners), shortwave listeners, and scanner enthusiasts. Other magazines you might see on some of the better newsstands or in a fellow amateur's shack, are QST (journal of the ARRL) 73 Amateur Radio Today, CQ, Practical Wireless, Radio Communication (journal of the RSGB), Ham Radio Today, and Break In (journal of the NZART). Not exactly a magazine, but a valuable source of information such as band plans, accredited examiners, and other bits and pieces, is the Australian Callbook, published by the WIA. Of course, when you first get your licence, you have to get the callbook, just to make sure you're in there :-) Sources for amateur radio software There is a wide variety of amateur radio software available, especially for the IBM PC and its imitators, but also for the Mac, Atari, Amiga, and a number of other platforms. Applications include log keeping, satellite tracking, packet radio, facsimile, slow scan TV, antenna and circuit design, and many others. For those with full Internet access, ftp is an obvious way to get the latest and greatest amateur radio software. In Australia, the best place to start is grivel.une.edu.au, which mirrors the popular overseas sites ucsd.edu, funet, and buffalo. In addition, grivel also carries quite a bit of Australian material, including archives of the WIA NSW broadcasts, information on WICEN, AMSAT, modifications, frequency information, and reviews and specs on various rigs. If you have access to ftp, this is a good place to go and have a browse. You'll find the Australian stuff in /pub/ham-radio/aus.radio -- this is a distillation of aus.radio.* and some of rec.radio.*. If you're limited to mail-based ftp, /pub/ham-radio/aus.radio/readme is probably a good starting point. If you don't have access to a full Internet feed, you might be able to use mail-based ftp to request files. It's not as easy as real ftp, but if you're patient, you can usually find what you want. Check with your site administrator to see if this is possible, and the best way to go about it. There are also a number of bulletin boards which are devoted to amateur radio, or at least have a reasonable number of amateur radio files to download, and message areas related to amateur radio. Here is a list of those I know about (in no particular order): AMNET (03) 366 7055 The John Knox ARC (03) 888 7741 WICEN Victoria BBS (03) 802 0913 The Radio Shack BBS (03) 532 5737 WICEN NSW BBS (02) 888 2763 WIA/WICEN SA BBS (08) 352 1504 Radio Active (02) 314 6117 The Service Centre (02) 520 9127 VK2EHQ's Mountain System (043) 73 1232 HighTech (060) 40 1911 Oracle PC Network (08) 234 0791 Perth Omen (09) 244 2111 West-Gate BBS (09) 270 1471 AmPak (07) 263 7070 Access varies from system to system -- some are totally free, some are members-only, and others somewhere in-between. Where can I get further information? The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) is an Australia-wide organisation which represents the interests of amateur radio operators. It is made up of a number of divisions, each representing a single state or territory (with the exception of the Northern Territory, which is part of the South Australian division). These divisions each represent the interests of the amateurs in that state, and all come under an umbrella federal body, which serves as liaison with DoTC, as well as publishing Amateur Radio magazine. The divisions are usually referred to by the callsign prefix allocated to that state. The Wireless Institute of Australia is the oldest national radio society in the world, and is in turn a member of the international body, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). Membership of the WIA is not compulsory, but there are advantages (naturally), including free use of the QSL bureau, discounts on books, and occasional other special offers which become available from time to time. The WIA is also the loudest voice available for lobbying the government. The addresses for the 7 divisions are as follows: VK1 GPO Box 600, Canberra, 2601 (06) 247 7006 VK2 109 Wigram St, Parramatta, 2150 (02) 689 2417 (Country NSW callers only 1800 817 644) * (PO Box 1066 Parramatta 2124) fax (02) 633 1525 VK3 40G Victory Blvd, Ashburton, 3147 (03) 885 9261 VK4 GPO Box 638, Brisbane, 4001 (07) 284 9075 VK5 34 West Thebarton Rd, Thebarton, 5031 (08) 352 3428 (GPO Box 1234, Adelaide, 5001) VK6 PO Box 10, West Perth, 6872 (09) 388 3888 VK7 148 Derwent Ave, Lindisfarne 7015 VK8 (part of VK5 division) * : 1100-1200 (Sydney time) weekdays 1900-2100 Wed. [pinched in parts from the 1992 WIA Callbook, with corrections from VK2KFU and VK3UR] Radio clubs At a more local level, there are a great many radio clubs and societies in Australia. In addition, there are a number of clubs which cater for particular interests within amateur radio -- for example packet radio, DXing, amateur television etc. Many of these clubs are affiliated with the WIA, and your divisional office will be able to help you find a club near to you. This FAQ is Copyright 1993-1995 Mark Cheeseman VK2XGK and contributors. This document may be used for non-commercial purposes to further the development of amateur radio. Commercial reproduction prohibited. Many thanks to the following for their assistance in compiling this FAQ: Carl Makin VK1KCM, Michael Butler, Dave Horsfall VK2KFU, Rod Gamble VK2DAY, Dean Davidson VK2ZID, Paul W. Schleck KD3FU, Leigh Baker VK3TP, Doug Rickard VK4ZDR.