(from a news bulletin on the WIA website at http://www.wia.org.au/vk4 )
WIA President Peter Naish VK2BPN has received from Alan Jordan of ACA a reply to the WIA's letter requesting a change to the licensing conditions in regard to 5 wpm. Morse Code.
The reply includes the following statement :
"Given the overseas trends in relation to this matter, the ACA agrees in principle to implement changes to Australia's Amateur licensing arrangements in relation to the requirements for Morse Code.
The proposed changes reflect that Australia has established a number of bilateral reciprocal licensing arrangements that are based, in part, on qualifications that include a 10 words per minute Morse code component. In recognition that it is likely that the international requirement for Morse code will be considered by the World Radio Conference in 2002/3, the proposed changes are minimal in scope.
It is proposed that the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Amateur Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997 and other Amateur documentation will be amended prior to the Sydney Olympic Games to reflect the following:
* The Amateur Intermediate Station Licence will authorise operation to the same extent as that currently authorised under the Amateur Unrestricted Station Licence.
* No changes are proposed to the current qualification requirements for the Amateur Intermediate Station Licence.
* No changes are proposed in regard to the Amateur Unrestricted Station Licence.
and
* Amateur Intermediate Stations will continue to be issued with callsigns that differentiate the stations from Amateur Unrestricted Stations.
In order to properly implement the above changes, the ACA seeks the assistance of the Wireless Institute of Australia to update, where appropriate, Regulation papers that contain questions reflecting the current arrangements relating to Amateur Intermediate Stations.
Your earliest advice in relation to the extent of any necessary changes would be appreciated"
Well, there we have it!
At last significant progress and a 5 wpm maximum code requirement!
The changes proposed are in line with the WIA request and demonstrates again our excellent working arrangements with the ACA.