It’s never been easier to get your Amateur Radio license and join a whole new world of radio enthusiasts across the world! More than just operating the latest digital radios or the classic tube transceivers, you’ll soon discover how new and old technologies come together to make Amateur Radio a fascinating and diverse hobby, quite often at the forefront of modern technology.

Whether you like to operate Morse or build radio and Maker projects, compete in “Radio Sports”, or simply have a good ol’ rag chew, there’s an aspect of Amateur Radio that will put a smile on your face, especially when you join a supportive club like the Manly-Warringah Radio Society!

To find out more about the hobby, you’re welcome to come visit us at the clubhouse, or drop us an email or even a letter! You can contact us here.

Licensing

The radio frequency spectrum that radio operators (including Amateurs) use is managed and regulated in Australia by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Because Amateurs have access to more radio spectrum than most other users, and with greater freedoms, the government (in all countries) requires that we demonstrate various levels of technical proficiency in order to earn our licence.

This involves some technical study, and learning about the various regulations that ensure we use the radio spectrum in a way that is compatible with other services. Sound complicated? It’s not really, you can do the necessary learning and testing to gain the basic Foundation licence in just one weekend, or just learn at your own pace! You can do further study to upgrade and earn greater operating privileges later on.

We recommend the training courses and testing facilities offered by Amateur Radio New South Wales at Dural. Information about available courses and timetable.

If you need help to understand any of the technical aspects of this hobby, we have many friendly and technically skilled members at our club, so you’re never on your own.

How do I prepare for this?

We recommend Your Entry into Amateur Radio, the foundation licence training manual, available from the Wireless Institute of Australia‘s online bookshop. And, of course, our “Brains Trust” is always at your disposal!

Some other useful resources to help you on your way:

First Amateur Radio Licence Youth Grant

If  you’re under 18, and you want to become a Radio Amateur, the Manly-Warringah First Amateur Radio Licence Youth Grant can help you on your way! The objective of the MWRS First Amateur Radio Licence Youth Grant (FARLYG) is to attract young enthusiasts to the hobby of the amateur radio and therefore ensuring the future of the hobby and of the Manly-Warringah Radio Society. It aims to encourage young people that would not normally have an exposure to the hobby to make the necessary steps to obtain an amateur radio licence with no or little financial commitments by them.