From: dave@ips.oz.au (Dave Horsfall)
Subject: Re: Radio information for a beginner
Keywords: radio amateur HF
Organization: IPS Radio and Space Services.  Sydney, Australia.
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 11:41:16 GMT

In article <siva.701952566@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU>
    siva@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Siva) writes:

>I am interested in starting a HF radio to communicate with the world, from Syydney. Can someone please answer the following questions for me?

Sure, but please use a newline after every line...

>I have many friends in Kenya, Africa who use SSB radio (I think frequency under 30Mhz). They use these radio for internal and worldwide communication.

It would have to be under 30MHz - over that, and you'd be very lucky.

>1) Is it possible to talk to them from Sydney, Australia?

Indeed, but conditions can vary.  You may need to try several frequencies.

>2) What type of radio equipment and antenna type is needed for this?

What is called "HF" radio i.e. High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz.
Antenna is whatever works - it could be a beam (points in one direction)
or it could be omni-directional (radiates poorly in all directions at
once :-)  It could be vertically polarised, or horizontally polarised.

>3) Some tranceivers say they can cover all frequency ranges. Will they cover this SSB range as well?

"SSB" is a modulation method (AM, CW, SSB, FM etc).  It has nothing to do with
the frequency.  However, "all frequency" radios will generally have SSB as well
as AM.

>4) What type of license is required to use this frequency?

Ah - the big question!  Strictly speaking, CB cannot be used to talk outside
Australia.  Strange, but true.  You probably won't be able to afford a
commercial frequency.  So this leaves Amateur Radio...  It's basically a
hobbyist activity, subject to rules and regulations, such as no business
traffic, no naughty words etc.  Contact the Wireless Institute of Australia,
PO Box 1066, Parramatta, NSW, 2124 for information om becoming a radio amateur,
if you're that way inclined.   You will need to sit for exams, including
Morse Code if you want to use "HF", and take out a licence.  This gives to
the freedom to talk to any other Amateur in the world, build/modify etc your
own equipment, experiment with various modes etc.  Great fun.

>5) When you get a licence are you allowed to use the radio only on certain time period or anytime you want?

Any time you like - even unattended, subject to certain restrictions.

>6) Finally where do you get your license and how long does it take to get one license?

First, you study.  Then, you sit an exam.  Then, assuming you pass, you apply
for a Certificate of Proficiency and an Amateur Licence.  The WIA among others
offers study courses, and conducts exams.  The Commonwealth Department of
Transport and Communications (DoTC) issues the bits of paper, and grants you
the right to use Amateur frequencies.  How long it takes depends a great deal
on how good you are at studying and passing exams...

>I would appreciate it if anyone can give information on this.

Hey Richard - how's that FAQ list coming along?

>Thank you

You're welcome.  I hope to decide to become a Radio Amateur.

-- 
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)         VK2KFU @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC
dave@ips.OZ.AU                  ...munnari!ips.OZ.AU!dave
       ADA - from the people who brought you COBOL
Newsgroups: aus.radio