Amateur Radio
Amateur radio, or as American's call it Ham Radio, is a fairly active hobby within Tasmania. . There are 23 repeaters around the state that operate on 50Mhz (6m), 146Mhz (2m) and 438Mhz (70cm). Also used are simplex channels which can range between 144-148Mhz.
VK7 regional news is broadcasted every sunday morning at 9am on UHF CB channel 15 followed by national news. Listening to amateurs all depends on the listener's taste - some conversations are technical talk, politics, others about the weather and what was for dinner.
Amateur radio hobbyists are allowed to use high amounts of power, such as 25 watts allowing good reception.
There is a difference between shortwave (HF) and VHF/UHF Amateur radio. Firstly, often DXing (the shortwave word for ducting) occurs allowing amateurs from NZ, UK, USA, Canada and other locations around the world to be on the bands. It is so much fun decoding SSTV (Slow Scan TV) via shortwave, especially taking into account that the picture could be from a hobbyist in Europe or Africa.
If you have heard callsigns like VK3 or VK7 and aren't sure what they mean see below:
Wireless Institue of Australia (WIA) Amatuer Radio callsigns for Australia:
| Callsign | State/Territory |
| VK7 | TAS |
| VK3 | VIC |
| VK2 | NSW |
| VK4 | QLD |
| VK5 | SA |
| VK6 | WA |
| VK8 | NT |
| VK1 | ACT (Also callsign for WIA National) |
| VK9 | Australian External Territory Islands (Christmas, Norfolk Is) |
| VK0 | Antartica |
| VI/AU | Special Event |
Special Callsigns:
| Callsign | Usage |
| VK#WIA-WIZ | Wireless Institute of Australia |
| VK#GGA-GGZ | Guides Australia |
| VK#SAA-SDZ | Scouts Australia |
| VK7OTC | R.E.A.S.T. |
| VK#IYA-IYZ | International Years |
Shortwave Radio (HF) Amateur Radio Band Plan:
| Frequency Range (kHz) | Ametuer Band Name | SSB Mode: * |
| 28.000 - 28.3000 | 10 Metres, 28.680 for SSTV. 29.300 - 29.510 used for Amateur Satellites. | USB/AM |
| 24.890 - 24.990 | 12 Metres, advanced licensees only use this band. 21.160 - 21.300 used for Amateur Satellites. | USB |
| 21.340 - 21.450 | 15 Metres, 21.340 used for SSTV. | USB |
| 18.068 - 18.168 | 17 Meters, advanced licensees only use this band. Generally uses USB | USB |
| 14.000 - 14.350 | 20 Meters, 14.230 used for SSTV. Generally uses USB. | USB |
| 10.100 - 10.150 | 30 Metres, advanced licensees only use this band. | USB/LSB |
| 7.000 - 7.300 | 40 Metres (Note the 41 Metre broadcast band is from 7.100 - 7.350 and overlaps.) | LSB |
| 3.500 - 3.800 | 80 Meters, Commonly used. | LSB |
| 1.800 - 1.875 | 160 Metres, advanced licensees only use this band. | LSB |
* USB/LSB modes could be used on any of the amateur bands, however generally they use the mode stated. Other modes used include RTTY, SSTV, Packet, Amtor FSK PSK and FM (for upper freqs).
VHF Amateur Radio Band Plan:
| Frequency Range (MHz) | Ametuer Band Name |
| 144.000 - 148.000 | 2 Metres, 145.8 - 146.0 are used by Amatuer Satellites. |
| 50.0000 - 54.0000 | 6 Metres, 52.525 International simplex freq. 53.5000 national calling freq. |
UHF/SHF Amatuer Radio Band Plan:
| Frequency Range (MHz) | Ametuer Band Name |
| 24.0000 GHz - 24.2500 GHz | 1.25 Cm, advanced licensees only use this band. |
| 10.0000 GHz - 10.5000 GHz | 3 Cm, advanced licensees only use this band. |
| 5650.0000 - 5850.0000 | 6 Cm, 5650 - 5850 used for Space research. |
| 3300.0000 - 3600.0000 | 9 Cm, advanced licensees only use this band. |
| 2300.0000 - 2450.0000 | 13 Cm, 2425.775 used for SSTV. |
| 1240.0000 - 1.270.000 | 23 Cm, 1.260 - 1.270 used for Amatuer Satellite uplinks. |
| 420.0000 - 450.0000 | 70 Cm, 425.0 - 432.0 ATV Channel 1. |
SHF - What is that? Below is a Radio Spectrum chart helping to explain:
SHF/EHF Amatuer Radio:
There are a lot of frequency allocations above 24GHz however these have not been mentioned as generally scanners aren't able to receive such a high frequency and there are no voice communications. The EHF Amateur frequency range is used for astronomy, space research and Amateur satellites.
Repeater Frequencies:
50Mhz (6m)
VK7RNW 53.825 McGlones Hill, NW Tasmania
VK7RAD 53.825 Queens Domain, Hobart
VK7RAA 53.875 Mt Barrow, N Tasmania
146Mhz (2m)
VK7RMD 146.625 Mt Duncan, NW Tasmania
VK7RAF 146.650 Mt Faulkner, Hobart
VK7RAD 146.700 Queens Domain, Hobart
VK7RNE 146.725 Tower Hill, NE Tasmania
VK7RNW 146.750 McGlones Hill, NW Tasmania
VK7RHT 146.850 Snug Tiers, S Tasmania
VK7REC 146.900 Snow Hill, E Tasmania
VK7RAA 147.000 Mt Barrow, N Tasmania
VK7RWC 147.075 Mt Read, W Tasmania
VK7RCR 147.875 Lenah Valley, Hobart
VK7RAD 147.975 Queens Domain, Hobart
438Mhz (70cm)
VK7RBH 438.050 Ben Lomand, N Tasmania
VK7RIN 438.500 Barren Tiers, Central Highlands
VK7RCR 438.525 Lenah Valley, Hobart
VK7RAB 438.550 Mt Arthur, N Tasmania
VK7RCH 438.575 Huonville, S Tasmania
VK7RTC 438.600 Mt Nelson, Hobart
VK7RMD 438.600 Mt Duncan, NW Tasmania
VK7RAC 438.650 Table Cape, NW Tasmania
VK7 RAD 439.975 Queens Domain, Hobart
Information about Repeaters
VK7RWC and VK7RAA are linked
VK7RAD and VK7RHT are linked
VK7RAC and VK7RAA are linked
WICEN Tasmania
WICEN stands for the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network. In
Tasmania WICEN provides communication services for Horse Endurance
Rides, Targa Tasmania, along with some other activities in amateur
radio such as The International Lighthouse Weekend and Remembrance
Day Contest. It uses Amateur Frequencies but has its own to use on
events.
144Mhz (2m)
VK7RBW 147.950 Statewide
438Mhz (70cm)
VK7RBW 438.525 Statewide
If you have any additions, corrections or updates to any of the above then please be sure to email them in to us.