Next Foundation Course and Exams

Foundation Course The next Foundation Course will be held at the EMDRC club rooms on Wednesday, December 27. If you would like to attend, please register by clicking on the Request an Assessment link. At the last course we had ten (10) candidates that all passed and are now on air. The course commences at […]

Foundation Course and Exams

EMDRC Foundation Course. The last Foundation Licence training course was held on Saturday 28 October 2023 at the EMDRC club rooms in East Burwood. Exams conducted the following morning, Sunday 29 October 2023 for all licence classes. If you would like to register for a future course or examination, please use the “Request an Assessment” […]

Operating Practices and Procedures

Demonstrate Equipment Setup A licence candidate will be required to demonstrate connecting a transceiver safely to a power supply, microphone, transmission line and antenna. The image below shows: 13.8 VDC power supply FT-857D HF / VHF / UHF transceiver MFJ-945E antenna tuner with built in VSWR meter 50 Ohm dummy load – to use as […]

Interference

Interference There are many sources of potential RF noise generation that can interfere with broadcast radio and television receivers. These sources of man made noise include: Power tools, Computers, Arc Welders, Power lines etc. Interference can be caused to: Telephones – mobile and fixed, Television, Radio reception, Audio equipment, Computers, Vehicle electronic equipment, Blasting devices […]

Propagation

Propagation basics Radio waves are electromagnetic waves. How these waves travel from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna is called propagation. Radio waves travel in straight lines although they can be reflected, refracted or diffracted. The further the radio wave gets from the transmitting antenna the weaker it becomes. Any time a radio wave […]

Safety

Typical dangers in Amateur Radio can include: High voltages and currents Electromagnetic radiation Trip hazards from cables and other items High sound levels Working at heights Working with chemicals Always be Aware of Safety 12 mA of current can kill 230 v mains can provide the voltage and current to electrocute a person Vacuum tube […]

Transmission Lines and Antennas

A very breezy day on top of the hill in Enfield for the 2018 summer (yes summer) VHF / UHF field day. All antennas firmly anchored down with transmission lines leading into the main tent. No radios, amateurs or antennas were damaged under these harrowing conditions (the odd Gazebo or two may have been destroyed […]

Transmitters and Receivers

My 1980’s Retro Station operated as VK3AZHThis is not the actual equipment I bought in 1980; that was sold ages ago. I have been collecting from estates and eBay, but still seeking two (2) pieces: VFO-520S external VFO for the TS-520S & TS-600 the 6 m all mode companion for the TS-700SP 2 m all […]

Technical Basics

An Amateur Licence primarily authorises the operation of an Amateur station for self-training in radiocommunications, intercommunications between Amateurs and technical investigations into radiocommunications. It is therefore very important, that the Foundation Licensee, understand basic electrical and electronics theory for the purpose of experimentation and safety in the field. This page is designed to provide the […]