EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULE NO. 70 ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF
THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND
COMMUNICATIONS
Subsection 9(1) of the Radiocommunication Act 1983 (‘the Act’) provides that the Minister may, by instrument in writing, make standards for specified devices or devices included in a specified class of device.
Subsection 9(2) of the Act provides that before making a standard the Minister shall publish the standard that he proposes to make and invite interested persons to make representations in connection with the proposed standard.
Subsection 9(5) of the Act provides that standards relating to radiocommunications transmitters may consist only of such requirements as to -
(a) the performance, design, finish and construction of radiocommunications transmitters; and
(b) markings, warnings, instructions or other statements to be impressed on, worked into, or annexed or affixed to, or to accompany, radiocommunications transmitters,
as are necessary for or in relation to -
(c) the operation of those radiocommunications transmitters;
(d) the prevention of prescribed interference, or risk of prescribed interference, to any other uses or functions of those radiocommunications transmitters; and
(e) the prevention or reduction of interference, or risk of interference, to radiocommunications.
Subsection 9(7) provides that standards relating to receivers may consist of such requirements as to -
(a) the performance, design, finish and construction of those receivers; and
(b) markings, warnings, instructions or other statements to be impressed on, worked into, or annexed or affixed to, or to accompany, those receivers
as are necessary or convenient to be made for or in relation to:
(c) the operation of those receivers; and
(d) the prevention or reduction of prescribed interference, or risk of prescribed interference, to any uses or functions of those receivers.
A standard for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB’s) came into operation on 1 December 1987 (Statutory Rule No. 266 of 1987). This statutory rule revokes the earlier standard and makes a new standard under section 9 of the Act.
The main changes from the earlier standard are -
• a change to the definition of ‘emergency position indicating radio beacon’ in clause 2 to require EPIRB’s to have emissions enabling satellites to detect and determine their position to come within the standard;
• an increase in the temperature range at which the device must meet the operating standards (clause 6(1)) to take account of the colder conditions in which they may be required to operate;
• changes in the requirements for the antenna to be incorporated in the devices to allow use of a telescopic antenna and ensure consistency with the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (clause 7(1));
• setting out more precise conditions of measurement for determining operating characteristics of devices (clauses 11 and 16);
• changes to the required operating characteristics of devices to enable them to be detected and have their position determined by satellite (clauses 12 and 15); and
• changes to the required operating characteristics of devices to enable their position to be better determined by overflying aircraft (clauses 13 and 14).
The Minister for Transport and Communications published a notice in the Gazette of 12 July 1989 setting out a proposed standard and inviting interested persons to comment on it by 18 August 1989. The proposed standard was also circulated for comment to importers and suppliers. The standard was signed by the Minister for Transport and Communications on 21 December 1989.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
PART 1 - PRELIMINARY
Clause 1 - Citation
Clause 2 - Interpretation
Clause 3 - Provides that the standard applies to EPIRBS (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) designed or intended for use on the carrier frequencies 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz only.
PART 2 - GENERAL
Clause 4 - Provides that certain information must be displayed on a device, the requirements for the display and circumstances where some information is not required.
Clause 5 - Requires that access to adjustment mechanisms which could permit operation of a device contrary to the technical requirements applying under the standard be restricted.
Clause 6 - Requires a device to meet the operating standards imposed by certain clauses when operating within a specified temperature range and during a set time period.
Clause 7 - Sets out the antenna requirements for the device.
PART 3 - TRANSMITTER
Clause 8 - Provides that for the purposes of Part 3 ‘transmitter’ means the radiocommunications transmitter of a device.
Clause 9 - Requires a transmitter to only be capable of operating simultaneously on two specified frequencies.
Clause 10 - Sets maximum limits for the carrier frequency error of a transmitter.
Clause 11 - Sets a minimum limit for the peak field strength of the radiated signal operating on both frequencies when measured in a certain way.
Clause 12 - Sets the characteristics for the frequency emission from a transmitter.
Clause 13 - Sets the modulation characteristics for a transmitter frequency signal.
Clause 14 - Provides that a transmitter shall operate continuously once activated.
Clause 15 - Sets minimum levels of power to be emitted in a certain frequency range during any modulation cycle when operating on specified frequencies.
Clause 16 - Sets a minimum limit for the peak field strength of spurious radiation.
Clause 17 - Sets the requirements for activating the transmitter.
Clause 18 - Requires a device to be protected from damage which might occur as a result of certain electrical problems.
Clause 19 - Sets the requirements for a test facility incorporated in a device, including safeguards to prevent accidental operation.