Well, the start of your Amateur Radio Journey at least.
You might want to read this in conjunction with this updated article https://www.vkhamradio.com/amateur-licence-qualification/, it helps explain the recent changes, and why some websites not up to date or have conflicting information.
You might be wondering how hard it is to obtain your Foundation Qualification. The real answer, particularly if you locate your local Amateur Radio Club and participate in their Foundation Course and Examination (which is normally over a weekend), is not very hard. The Foundation Qualification is exactly that, a starting point. If I remember correctly, every question you have in the exam is covered in the “Your Entry into Amateur Radio” book (see further in this article), and if it isn’t it’s covered by the foundation course (which basically follows the book). So if you have not come from an Electronics background, take the time to read the book a few weeks before the course (e.g. don’t skim the book, the night before).
Just so you know what to expect, you will be performing the following as part of the exam
- Answering 25 Questions covering Foundation Theory & Regulations over 30 minutes – 18 correct answers are required to pass
- Performing a practical exam, which, where possible will be carried out under actual Operating Conditions (this is taught as part of course)
It is highly recommended that you look at the ACMA Recognition Certificate (Foundation) Syllabus and obtain a copy of the syllabus which will clarify matters further including clarification on what Electronics symbols may be used.
Without belittling the Foundation Course, if you have a good memory, and some basic comprehension of what you are reading, you will pass. Its focus is to teach you the basics, with a heavy emphasis on “Do No Harm”, which includes interfering with other services, but also not doing harm to yourself.
The Course and Exam does what it is intended to do, which is to make you aware of basic theory, a simple practical and importantly the regulations around the hobby.
If you want to see the level of questions asked in the foundation exam, look at this site https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/onlineexams/foundation.php, but you could probably look at other sites offering free trial exams as well.
There are some costs (e.g. the course and exams) and you should be guided by your local club performing the course, on what the costs will be, but as a guide, you can find them on the ACMA website under Fees and Charges https://www.acma.gov.au/amateur-radio-related-fees
What’s interesting about Amateur Radio is the range of people, the range of professions, and the many varied paths that lead to people becoming interested in Amateur Radio.
Whilst a reasonable majority of people are from a few main professions, which include
- Broadcast Radio Engineers
- Military Radio Engineers
- Electronics & RF Engineers
- Civil/Marine Radio operators
there are also many other areas which include
- Electronics Hobbyists
- Preppers
- Farmers / Homesteads Owners
- CB Radio operators
Whatever background you have come from, you have decided that you want to become involved in Amateur Radio (or Ham Radio as it is also known) and you probably started enquiring, or quietly reviewing Websites to understand the process. The only issue us that you are now confused, as each website or forum tells you something different. The Internet is strewn with Website’s or forums that are contain out of date information.
Contributing to this confusion is that there has been a major change in the preferred provider for the delivery of Australian Amateur Radio Examinations. So that you can understand what you are reading in older posts/websites :
- The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) had a deed in place from February 2009 to Feb 2019.After this date the Australian Maritime College (AMC) took over that role until 2024.
- In 2024 the ACMA took back over this role as the examination administrator (courses are still delivered by the same ACMA accredited Volunteer Assessors)
- ACMA is the organisation that produces the exams and questions and via their Volunteer Examiners (generally Amateur Operators) run the exams on the day.
- After the Exam, these examiners collate all the paperwork after the exam to send to the ACMA
- The Assessors actually mark the examinations, so they will generally let you know your results that day. They then sent it to the ACMA and if the Candidate was successful and eligible to be issued a Qualification. ACMA will email you and invite you to select a call sign and pay the relevant fees.
Just so you are aware, the general time it takes is only a few days real days, with ACMA administrating the process, wait times have dramatically improved
- Exams normally take place on the weekend and the examiners need a couple of days to complete their process (remember most have full time jobs as well)
- The ACMA will receive it as soon as results are scanned and emailed by the Lead Assessor.
- And as mentioned a couple more days for ACMA to process and sent you your Qualification if successful.
So what is your first step?
Well you can look around, obtain the “Your Entry into Amateur Radio” which is a WIA publication. You can obtain this from your local club or purchase directly online from the WIA from the following link https://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/foundationmanual/
Then when you are ready to take the exam, you will need to contact an examiner to organise to sit the exam. You can find an examiner here https://www.amc.edu.au/industry/amateur-radio/assessors
Or you can make your life simple and contact your local Amateur Radio club. In many cases they have supplies of the book available to purchase and send out to you and they normally hold regular exams and classes, and that’s the difference. You will find it easier going to a club organised weekend class and exam, get it all over and done with and meet other hams from the club, in some cases see a demonstration, and even if you read the book, you can ask questions if there some parts you are not confident in.
Once you have completed the exam, hopefully within the month, you will be notified of your result, and hopefully have your Qualification in your hand.
What’s next??
First of all, take some time to learn what you can do within the bounds of your Foundation Qualification. There are so many facets of Amateur radio, so many directions you can go, so many interests and spurs that anyone who says there was nothing for them, really didn’t look or didn’t get involved.
When your ready, then you can start studying for the Standard and Advanced Qualification.
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