Australia

[Kevin Luxford]

Greetings all.  Here is the reply I sent in response to Robert's query -
it may be of use to others.

Go to http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1311 which is on the web
site of the Australian Communications and Media Authority - the
government body charged with licensing and regulation.  Also, see
http://www.wia.org.au/discover/visitorinfo/about/.

You would be well advised to bring a certified copy of your U.S. licence
and the specifications of the K3 for our Customs officers.  The
specifications will clearly show that the apparatus is intended for the
Amateur bands.  While on the aircraft coming to Australia, read
carefully the immigration, agriculture and customs card that you will be
asked to complete and sign.  From that you will be able to determine
what you need to declare.  As in the U.S., do not try to hoodwink our
authorities - they can morph instantly from friendly, laid-back
officials to pitbulls.

As for antennas - Australia is largely a flat country with plenty of
eucalypt trees (like you see in California - you know, the ones that
spontaneously burst into flaming torches during fire storms) which can
serve as a support for a random length wire antenna.  A suitable ground
may be a problem, especially during our summer in the southern states as
we have endured over ten years of drought and the ground is pretty dry.  
So I would recommend that you have a counterpoise for each band on which
you want to operate.  80 meters is often used in the evening, 40 metres
during the day, and 20 metres for DX when propagation is good.  
Occasionally, 10 metres opens up, but it is best down here near the top
of the sun spot cycle.  15 metres is known here as the JA band - a lot
of Japanese stations are active on it.  2 metres and 70 centimetres are
well endowed with repeaters and their locations and frequencies are
available on the Wireless Institute of Australia (our equivalent to the
ARRL) at http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/about/ and
http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/data/.

Also bear in mind that our mains power supply is 230 volts AC 50 Hz so
you may need to bring or buy a step-down transformer if you wish to use
U.S. appliances.

Another thing.  While on the WIA site, get hold of our bandplans.  Our
allowed frequencies and modes do differ from the U.S. in some areas -
especially 80 metres.
 
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[Ignacy]

I visited VK2 twice and never a hint of problems or questions. No worries. A license (VK2ISF) took 1 hr but now with CEPT this is not needed.
Please see report at http://www.eham.net/articles/17751.
Ignacy, NO9E

Kevin Luxford wrote

Greetings all.  Here is the reply I sent in response to Robert's query -
it may be of use to others.

Go to http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1311 which is on the web
site of the Australian Communications and Media Authority - the
government body charged with licensing and regulation.  Also, see
http://www.wia.org.au/discover/visitorinfo/about/.

You would be well advised to bring a certified copy of your U.S. licence
and the specifications of the K3 for our Customs officers.  The
specifications will clearly show that the apparatus is intended for the
Amateur bands.  While on the aircraft coming to Australia, read
carefully the immigration, agriculture and customs card that you will be
asked to complete and sign.  From that you will be able to determine
what you need to declare.  As in the U.S., do not try to hoodwink our
authorities - they can morph instantly from friendly, laid-back
officials to pitbulls.

As for antennas - Australia is largely a flat country with plenty of
eucalypt trees (like you see in California - you know, the ones that
spontaneously burst into flaming torches during fire storms) which can
serve as a support for a random length wire antenna.  A suitable ground
may be a problem, especially during our summer in the southern states as
we have endured over ten years of drought and the ground is pretty dry.  
So I would recommend that you have a counterpoise for each band on which
you want to operate.  80 meters is often used in the evening, 40 metres
during the day, and 20 metres for DX when propagation is good.  
Occasionally, 10 metres opens up, but it is best down here near the top
of the sun spot cycle.  15 metres is known here as the JA band - a lot
of Japanese stations are active on it.  2 metres and 70 centimetres are
well endowed with repeaters and their locations and frequencies are
available on the Wireless Institute of Australia (our equivalent to the
ARRL) at http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/about/ and
http://www.wia.org.au/members/repeaters/data/.

Also bear in mind that our mains power supply is 230 volts AC 50 Hz so
you may need to bring or buy a step-down transformer if you wish to use
U.S. appliances.

Another thing.  While on the WIA site, get hold of our bandplans.  Our
allowed frequencies and modes do differ from the U.S. in some areas -
especially 80 metres.
 
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [e-mail]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com