Topband: New limits on VK Hams

[dz@voa.gov]

Did anyone else catch this item from Q-News Australia, by Graham Kemp 
VK4BB, as reported on the Amateur Radio Newsline?  It doesn't look good 
for our fellow VK Topbanders or, in fact VK HF ops in general.
Talk about a way to reduce the number of active Hams!
73 de Rich - K1HTV
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REGULATORY:  VK HAMS FACE NEW MANDATORY RF EXPOSURE LIMITS

Hams in Australia are about to face some of the toughest electromagnetic
exposure regulation found anywhere in the world.  The idea is to protect 
people from R-F.  Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has the details:

--
All Australian radio amateurs will be required to know about new
Electromagnetic  Radiation or EMR controls which are expected to be included in
 amateur station license conditions from 1 July, 2002.  Compliance Level 1
applies to transmitters that are covered by either of these conditions: 

(a) The total average power fed to all antennas at the site must not exceed 100
watts and antennas must be out of reach.

(b) The bottom of the lowest antenna must be at least 10 meters above ground
and the average EIRP does not exceed 3200 watts.

Compliance Level 2 requires measurements and documented proof of compliance,
applies to all  other transmitters.

 EMR in licence conditions  It is proposed that the new regulatory framework,
to be reflected in the  Licence Condition Determinations -- LCDs -- for the
Amateur Service and to all apparatus license will begin on 1 July, 2002.  That
means that amateur stations operated under new amateur license issued  on or
after that date, must comply with the framework.

And what about current Australian licensees?  They will have until October 1st
to bring their stations into compliance with the new R-F exposure rules. 
(Q-News)