Morse Code test scrapped for ham radio operators

Marking the end of an older broadcasting era, Australia’s amateur radio operators will no longer have to be skilled in Morse Code to hold a ham radio licence in future.

The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has announced that it would discontinue the requirement for amateur radio operators to be proficient in Morse code from 1 January 2004.
The decision follows an extensive review of the amateur radio service.

ACA Acting Chairman Bob Horton said the ACA had received more than 1400 written submissions commenting on the review, from amateur operators
throughout Australia.

He said:
“There was widespread support for the removal of the Morse code proficiency requirement at the meetings and throughout the submissions.
“The ACA has therefore decided to make changes [which] will immediately allow access to privileges previously available only to those who satisfied Morse code proficiency
requirements.

“The ACA expects to announce more decisions about new regulatory arrangements for the amateur service
before the end of the year. The amateur community will continue to be kept fully informed about the progress of
the review and the implementation of new arrangements.”