Callsigns

Callsigns are used to identify all Amateur Radio operators or stations.Callsigns have different parts to them. The prefix VK is for the country Australia, then follows a geographic indicator numeral for the state or territory, ie South Australia is numeral 5, and the suffix or following letters that signify the type of licence. When applying for your licence it may be possible to request a specific suffix providing that it is compliant with the class of your licence.

Licences

The Amateur Service primarily facilitates the hobby radio communications, is for technical experimentation and operates on specified frequency bands. Various transmission methods are used for voice, Morse code, picture, text and data.

To transmit, radio amateurs need qualifications, with a competency based system of assessments and certificates of proficiency issued by the Australian Maritime College (AMC), and an ACMA licence.

By international treaty obligations for the Amateur Service, the ACMA licence is to:
Operated for the purposes of self-training and technical investigation using radio by qualified people who do so solely with a personal aim, without pecuniary interest, on Amateur Service frequencies or bands, and may participate in the Amateur-Satellite Service.

There are five licence types:

• Foundation Licence (entry level) – Course Info here
• Standard Licence – Assessment & Upgrade Info
• Advanced Licence – Assessment & Upgrade Info
• Repeater Station (only Advanced Licence holders)
• Beacon Station (only Advanced Licence holders)

The licences are subject to the Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination (LCD). Link