"One man's journey into Amateur Radio." Lou Blasco.
In late 2007 after many years of thinking about it I decided it
was time to get my amateur ticket and booked my place on a Foundation license
course. This is the entry level amateur license In Australia and requires a
minimum of technical knowledge and is designed to grow the ranks of amateur
radio in Australia. Safety and good operating technique are key point in this
course. Almost as soon as I booked my foundation course I changed my mind and
asked the instructor if he could bring a copy of the Advanced exam with him. To
his credit he said yes. Even though I'm a qualified technical officer in
electronics I was a little unsure of my capabilities. So my plan was to sit the
foundation exam and THEN if I was successful I would sit the advanced exam.
The WIA (Wireless Institute of Australia) has produced a book to cover the
Foundation license requirements. It's a great book and I urge anyone in Oz with
even a little inkling that they might like to try amateur radio to look at the
foundation license. I took the opportunity to look through all my old text books
and study up on the advanced syllabus during the week. Also on the list were
band plans and license conditions as prescribed by our local radio
communications authority.
The great day finally arrived and ten of us took our seats for the 8 hour
Foundation course. It was pleasing to see some youngsters there full of beans
and ready to go. Young people are the hope for this hobby and their ideas will
keep it fresh and alive. I think it's up to us to encourage them in every way
possible.
The course was straight forward and involved discussions on safety,
interference, band usage, modulation modes (very basic) operating techniques and
a small amount of electronics theory (ohm's law). Also included were discussions
on practical matters like connector and cable identification, basic continuity
checks, antenna types, S.W.R (Not SWER) and how to put your station together. I
would have to say the most difficult part (if you could call it that) was the
operating procedure section. Even after years of listening to amateur operators
and using similar techniques on CB I still found the procedure difficult to
complete successfully. Perhaps it was just nerves. We all had the same problems
but it was a good group and we all got through it in the end.
Exams would be held the following day. The foundation exam is 30 questions in 45
minutes on regulations and theory followed by a practical assessment. The
Advanced exam has the same practical assessment with 50 questions on theory in
90 minutes and 30 questions on regulations in 30 minutes. Imagine my surprise
when the instructor informed me at the end of the day that I would NOT be
sitting the Foundation exam but would only be sitting the advanced regulations
and theory. What happened to my security blanket!!!!???? That evening I couldn't
look at my books or watch TV or work in the shed or listen to the radio. Just an
uneasy feeling. I know it's silly because it's nothing I hadn't done before.
The great morning arrived and revision consisted of reviewing a sample exam. 30
questions. From what I could tell we all did really well. I managed to recall
that FM stands for Frequency Modulation. HI! After a quick break, we all took
our places and it was on. We had been told that we could not use scientific
calculators in the exam - strange but true. Converting microfarads to nanofarads
- OK that's fine just move the decimal point. Next one, 20mW into an amp with
33dB gain. CRAP! Power gain is 10log P1/P2. What do I do without a
calculator?????. Finally the light goes on. 10dB up = 200mW, 10dB up = 2W, 10dB
up = 20W and then 3dB = 40W. OK you can do this. Nerves settle and I continue.
Before I knew it I'd answered all the questions checked my answers as best I can
and I'm out in 50 minutes. All the others were out by this stage chatting
excitedly about the answers on their test. I joined them and start chatting
comparing answers with some of the other advanced candidates. 40W? YES! Well we
either all got it wrong or we all have at least one right. All too quickly I'm
summonsed back in to the hall to sit the regulations. 30 questions in 30
minutes. 10 minutes in, question 20, my mind wanders and I start thinking about
the theory exam. Wait! The limiter comes before the demodulator not after! What
were you thinking??!!! Panic. What else did I get wrong? Forget it move on.
Can't concentrate, the question make no sense. Crap, only 15 minutes left.
Relaaaaaaaaaaaaax. it's OK. Take a deep breath and continue. Can't! Close the
paper and take a break.
The instructor asks if I'm finished. NO! I hiss. "Sorry, no, just taking a
breather". Calm again. Take a drink and continue. 20 minutes and I'm done. Go
out for a breath of fresh air and a chat. The practical assessment is next. Work
through cable types, continuity tests, connecting equipment, measuring VSWR,
measuring and adjusting output power. Discuss safety including the danger of
high voltages including RF. Discuss CTCSS and DTMF, discuss operating
techniques. OK grab the mike and make a call. The other station responds. Get
his callsign, name, QTH, and sigs. Return same to him. QSY to 70cm. End the
call. Assessment over - well done.
Well it's all done now and I successfully passed my exams - 93% for the
regulations and 90% for the theory. In the following weeks I received my new
advanced call VK3ALB. This allows me access to all bands on all modes as
prescribed by our local Radio Regulations here in Australia. It's been a long
time since I first got interested in radio and thought about getting my license.
The wait has been well worth it.
Lou Blasco VK3ALB December 2007 revised July 2010