What is the amateur licence for, and what can't I do with it?
An amateur licence is a licence to learn and experiment, not to run a business. Almost every rule in this lesson follows from that one idea.
The purpose
The licence exists for self-training in communication by radio telecommunications, including technical investigations. You are allowed to practise, experiment and find out how radio works.
It is yours alone
- You may not assign, delegate, transfer or encumber any rights, interests or obligations under the licence. You cannot hand it to a friend or sell it.
- Only persons who hold an amateur licence from the Authority may operate your station.
No money, no business
All operations under the licence must have no pecuniary interest, direct or indirect. "Pecuniary" means to do with money. See Non-pecuniary interest. That rules out:
- business use,
- advertisements,
- propaganda,
- anything done for the benefit of a social, political, religious or commercial organisation.
So you cannot use amateur radio to run your delivery firm, advertise a shop, or campaign for a party, however good your intentions.
Community events and emergencies
- Community events: you may use your station for a community event only when the Authority has requested it in writing, without pecuniary gain, and by sending event messages to other licensed amateur stations.
- Emergencies (earthquakes, floods and similar): the Licensee must provide necessary services to the Government, and give priority to support activities needed to overcome the emergency.
You now know
- The licence is for self-training in radio communication, including technical investigations.
- You cannot transfer your rights, and only licensed people may operate your station.
- Operations must have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest: no business, adverts or propaganda, and nothing for social, political, religious or commercial organisations.
- Community events need a written request from the Authority; in an emergency, support the Government first.