VK2XMD's Amateur Radio Pages

This section is expected to be constantly under construction, but will contain some information about Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) as it applies in Australia, and links to related sites.

Despite my chronological age, I am a fairly new and inexperienced radio amateur, and have decided to commit my "learning curve" to the web in the hope that my experience may help others, perhaps equally "new to the game".

What is Amateur Radio?

  • Amateur Radio (Ham Radio in some parts of the world) is the attainment of a license to experiment with radio equipment, using frequency bands set aside worldwide for this purpose.
  • Various "grades" of license are available, upon achievement of certain levels of knowledge and the subsequent passing of examinations.
  • The granting of licenses is overseen in Australia by the Australian Communications Authority.
  • Amateurs, or intending Amateurs, would be well advised to join the Wireless Institute of Australia, to have a stronger voice when it comes to band allocations etc, and also to take advantage of the facilities offered by the WIA.
Why Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio offers:

  • The opportunity to learn useful skills in radio and related fields of electronics.
  • The satisfaction of building and operating your own radio and electronic equipment, or of restoring and using "older" equipment.
  • Amateur Radio Club membership/s, and the resulting network of friends and acquaintances.
  • The possibility of using your skills, time and equipment in the service of the greater community in emergencies, through membership of the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network.

Some useful points of contact: in no particular order

There is an email list (Westhams) for the use of members of the amateur radio community in western Sydney. The list's primary purpose is the sharing of information between the members of westerns Sydney (Australia)'s amateur (ham) radio clubs. It is als o open to other amateurs who may wish to join. To subscribe, simply click the link below, then follow the instructions on the Onelist page. If you have any problems, please contact me at [email protected]

Westhams email list

A budget desk mike for your rig.

With the Victorian CFA's recent virtual "donation" of many Philips FM 900 transceivers to the Amateur market, it has never been cheaper to get "on the air" as a Radio Amateur. These units are available to licensed amateurs at a price anywhere from $20 - $100, depending on their condition, and whether they have been adjusted for the amateur frequency bands. Even the most basic amateur licence enables the use of these units, in the "2 metre" band, between 144MHz and 148MHz, FM.

As these units have come onto the amateur market, many amateurs have discovered, or learned of, useful modifications to the units. Many of the modifications are available on the web, some are not. So I have decided to add my own list of "tips and tricks ", picked up along the way. Original authors will be credited where known.

Michael's FM-900 pages

Go to, or return to, the Nepean Amateur Radio Group pages.
Go to, or return to, the Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club pages.
Go to, or return to, my Amateur Radio pages and links.