The Advanced Licence
The Last Formal Step Into Amateur Radio
The Advanced Licence is the highest level of the three grades available. With it comes all bands, modes and maximum power. Like the Standard Licence it has the ability to build or modify transmitting equipment. It is in line with the world standard.
With its enhanced operating privileges comes a much greater depth of theory knowledge when compared to the Standard Licence, but with the same regulatory knowledge. If you were already competent in the Regulations Assessment for the Standard Licence, this will carry on. Otherwise you need to sit a Regulations Assessment. Likewise, all radio amateurs need to be found competent in a Practical Assessment. If you have not done so previously, you will need to do a Practical Assessment.
Study for an Advanced Licence can take between 50 and 100 hours. Do remember to revise the Foundation Licence and Standard Licence knowledge as some questions include basic knowledge too.
The Advanced Licence further opens up involvement in Amateur Radio enabling ready worldwide communication. It can expand an interest in communications technology and be a solid launching base to a rewarding career in science, electronics, and communications.
Take Amateur Radio With You On Business Or Recreational Travel |
It may take a period of time for the ACMA to issue an invoice for the licence charge. When the payment is processed, you will appear on the ACMA licence register and may bein transmitting. The ACMA licence register is available via this Link
Radio Bands You Can Use
The Advanced Licence can operate in all of 25 bands listed below. This is the only licence grade eligible that is fully recognised by those countries with reciprocal licensing. A full list of countries can be found on the ACMA website by clicking here
Radio band | Frequency | Permitted Emission Modes |
2200 Metres | 135.7 – 137.8 kHz | Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth no greater than 2.1 kHz |
630 Metres | 472 – 479 kHz | |
160 Metres | 1.800 – 1.875 MHz | Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 8 kHz |
80 Metres | 3.500 – 3.700 MHz 3.776 – 3.800 MHz | |
40 Metres | 7.000 – 7.300 MHz | |
30 Metres | 10.100 – 10.150 MHz | |
20 Metres | 14.000 – 14.350 MHz | |
17 Metres | 18.068 -18.168 MHz | |
15 Metres | 21.000 – 21.450 MHz | |
12 Metres | 24.890 – 24.990 MHz | |
10 Metres | 28.000 – 29.700 MHz | Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 16 kHz |
6 Metres | 50.000 – 54.000 MHz | Any emission mode with a necessary bandwidth not exceeding 100 kHz |
2 Metres | 144 – 148 MHz | |
70 Centimetres | 430 – 450 MHz | Any emission mode |
23 Centimetres | 1240 – 1300 MHz | |
13 Centimetres | 2300 – 2302 MHz | |
10 Centimeters | 3300.0 – 3425.0 MHz 3492.5 – 3542.5 MHz 3575.0 – 3600.0 MHz | |
6 Centimetres | 5650 – 5850 MHz | |
3 Centimetres | 10.0 – 10.5 GHz | |
1.25 Centimetres | 24.000 – 24.250 GHz | |
7.5 Millimetres | 47.000 – 47.200 GHz | |
3.7 Millimetres | 76 – 81 GHz | |
2.5 Millimetres | 122.250 – 123.000 GHz | |
2 Millimetres | 134 – 141 GHz | |
1.25 Millimetres | 241 – 250 GHz |
Note : These are general band ranges provided as a guide only, please ensure you consult the ACMA LCD for specific frequency ranges, power limits and any special conditions.
Training For Your Licence
There are many radio clubs that offer Advanced Licence training check the Radio Clubs section of this website. Additionally a CD based course that can be done at home. You will also need some support technical reference information. The ARRL handbook (preferably an early edition) or the Radio Theory handbook. Besides providing training radio clubs are ideal to learn all about Amateur Radio. You can meet other hams, attend interesting lectures, and find out lots of information about its different facets. There are some good topics and activities too appearing on YouTube video. If you have trouble finding a training club or an Assessment, then send an email to nationaloffice@wia.org.au
You can also study at your own pace via a Multi-Media Course with the Radio and Electronics School. The Advanced Licence On-line Correspondence Course has 20 assignments plus revision and assessment preparation and usually takes about 6 months at 1 assignment a week to complete with about 3 hours a week study for the average student. This course is designed for those who hold their Standard Licence and wish to upgrade, is done via email with an experienced facilitator who can offer support should any questions or problems arise. The Advanced Licence course DOES NOT include the Regulations component, assumed already to be held under the Standard Licence. Regulations however is a separate course should it be needed. You need also complete the Practical Assessment if not already done. Please visit http://www.res.net.au for further information about the Standard Licence Multi-Media Course.
Assessments
The examination and callsign recommendation services previously provided by the WIA ceased on 1-Feb-2019. In future these services will be provided by the Australian Maritime College (AMC). More details will be provided as they come to hand.