What an outpost licence is for
Outpost stations provide radio to remote locations where no radio services are available.
An outpost licence lets you operate a station in:
- the MF or HF bands
- a remote area where there is no connection to a telecom network
Where there is a connection to a network, the station can only operate during an emergency.
The Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015 defines outpost licences.
Options for outpost licences
There are 2 options for outpost licences:
- assigned licence
- non-assigned licence
Outpost assigned
This licence lets you operate a control station in a remote location.
Control stations provide:
- emergency medical aid services
- certain public communications where there is no connection to a telecom network
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is currently the only organisation that has this licence.
Outpost non-assigned
This licence option is for stations that provide:
- emergency medical aid services
- certain public communications
Some companies offer these services commercially. They are not covered by an outpost licence.
These services are also not covered:
- distance education, which requires a fixed licence
- other land radio services, which require a land mobile licence
More information about outpost non-assigned licences is in the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Outpost Licence) Determination 2015.
Licence conditions
When you have an outpost licence, you must follow the conditions of your licence.
These include:
- conditions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act)
- Licence Condition (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2015
- Licence Conditions (Outpost Licence) Determination 2015
- other conditions that apply to you under ‘special conditions’
These conditions help you communicate safely and without interference.
We will include information you should be aware of under the heading 'advisory notes'.
Call signs
Call signs are a unique series of letters and numbers. They make it easy to identify a station.
We will give you a call sign or explain how to create one when we give you a licence.
You should use your call sign:
- every time you start to transmit
- before you transmit in a series
- when you test
Call sign template for outpost non-assigned licences
|
aaamn |
Outpost non-assigned call sign template (example of a typical call sign: VHQ29) |
|
aaa |
a is alpha |
|
m |
numeric character 2 to 9 |
|
n |
numeric character 0 to 9 |
|
aaammn |
Outpost non-assigned call sign template (example of a typical call sign: VZL253) |
|
aaa |
first 2 alpha characters are VZ. The third character is an alpha: L, O, P, U, X or Y |
|
m |
numeric character 2 to 9 |
|
n |
numeric character 0 to 9 |
Call sign template for outpost assigned licences
|
aaamnn |
Outpost assigned call sign template (example of a typical call sign: VKA714) |
|
aaa |
first 2 alpha characters are: VJ, VK, VL, VM, VN, VZ, or AX. The third character is any alpha |
|
m |
numeric character 2 to 9 |
|
n |
numeric character 0 to 9 |
Fees
We charge fees for apparatus licences.
In some circumstances, you can apply for a licence fee exemption or concession.
Apply for an outpost licence
To apply for an outpost assigned licence, you should contact an accredited person.
They can:
- assign you a frequency
- give you a frequency assignment certificate
- apply for your licence for you
To apply for an outpost non-assigned licence, you should:
Transfer an outpost licence
You can apply to: