WIA Successful Amateur/Ham Radio Exams Trial

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In May, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) began its trial of theory and regulation assessments online that have proved to be very popular with about 230 people accessing them.

As explained by WIA Trainer Fred Swainston VK4FE VK3DAC, the Institute had been working toward some on-line assessments for its candidates and used the trial exam system as a 'proof of concept' exercise.

He advises that the trial has been now been completed and a draft process for future online exams worked out, to possibly be used by WIA Nominated

Assessors with candidates needing a remote assessment. It is intended that the on-line exams will be available to all candidates.

The on-line development will then be explained in detail by the WIA to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) seeking its approval for them to be used.

By the end of this month the suite of assessments now available will be joined by two trial Foundation Licence assessment papers - all similar to those used in the actual multi-choice exams.

These exams will be converted into tutorials and remain on-line as an educational resource.

Fred Swainston VK4FE VK3DAC says many thanks to the radio amateurs, upgrades, and those wanting to get into the hobby for giving the trial exams a try.

Proposed UK Amateur/Ham Radio Foundation Course Changes

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The RSGB has just released a draft of the new exam syllabus for Foundation, Intermediate and Full. The draft document states that this is for examinations held after 1 July 2018.

At 86 pages, this document contains a lot to review, any stakeholder who wish to make recommendations must do so by 21st July 2017.

Pete Sipple (M0PSX)  of Essex Hams has identified that there is a more of material from intermediate level to the foundation level.

RSGB Syllabus Review - http://www,rsgb.org/syllabus_review

Essex Ham Review - http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/rsgb-foundation-syllabus-review.html

Girl Guide Achieves Amateur/Ham Radio Licence

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14-year-old Madeleine Dale, a member of her local Girl Guide group has gained her amateur/ham radio licence, motivated by a talk given by her local amateur radio club.

Inspiration was given by Colin Lyne (M0TCN) of the Colburn and Richmondshire District Amateur Radio Society. The talk covered how the radio works and made contact with an amateur radio user in America, who spoke to the girls about the amateur/ham radio hobby.

Madeleine completed her training and passed the foundation exam with a 98% mark.

“It’s quite fun to plan who you’ll make contact with on a big map, you still have to be careful as you would on social media not to give out an address or postcode or personal information like that. But it’s more personal than social media because you’re just talking to someone directly.”
— Madeleine Dale