Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1942 (Amendment)

Legislation au C1945L00185 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Select Document

STATUTORY RULES.

1945. No. 185.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1905–1936.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1936.

Dated this twenty-ninth day of November, 1945.

HENRY

Governor-General.

By His Royal Highness’s Command,

D. CAMERON

Postmaster-General.

Amendments of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.†

Parts.

1. Regulation 2 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting the words “Part IV.—Miscellaneous” and inserting in their stead the following words:—

“Part IV.—Experimental Stations.

Part V.—Miscellaneous.”.

Definitions.

2. Regulation 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting after the definition of “direction-finding station” the following definition:—

“‘experimental station’ means a station used solely for the purpose of investigation or research into, or instruction in, wireless telegraphy;”.

Classes, conditions, &c, of licences.

3. Regulation 5 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting paragraph (g) of sub-regulation (1.) the word “and”; and

(b) by adding at the end of that sub-regulation the following word and paragraph:—

“; and (i) experimental stations.”.

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 29th November, 1945.

† Statutory Rules 1942, No. 348.

5939.—Price 5d.

Licences to be in parts and to be exhibited.

4. Regulation 10 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.) after the word “licence” the words “(other than a licence for an experimental station)”.

Technical equipment to be to the satisfaction of the Minister.

5. Regulation 20 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting after the word “not” the words “(except in the case of an experimental station)”.

Transmission and reception of public correspondence.

6. Regulation 28 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.), after the word “station” (first occurring), the words “which is licensed to transmit and receive messages on behalf of the public”.

Charges for messages.

7. Regulation 30 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.), after the word “station” (first occurring), the words “(other than an experimental station)”.

Licensee to keep records of messages.

8. Regulation 32 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.), after the word “station”, the words “(other than an experimental station)”.

Used message forms.

9. Regulation 33 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting after the word “station” the words “(other than an experimental station)”.

Registers, &c., to be open for inspection by Minister.

10. Regulation 34 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by inserting after the word “station” the words “(other than an experimental station)”.

Certificates.

11. Regulation 40 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “(or sixteen years in the case of an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency)”; and

(b) by omitting paragraph (h) of that sub-regulation and inserting in its stead the following paragraphs:—

“(h) First Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency; and

(i) Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency.”.

12. Regulation 50 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is repealed and the following regulations inserted in its stead:—

Examination for First Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate.

“50.—The examination for a First Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency shall be such as to show that a successful candidate possesses the knowledge and qualifications specified in this regulation, namely—

(a) A general knowledge of wireless telegraphy and wireless telephony and electrical principles.

(b) A knowledge of such of the Radiocommunication Regulations for the time being in force under the Telecommunication Convention and the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations as relate to the operation of experimental stations.

(c) Ability to send correctly, and to receive correctly by ear, in Morse code, a message in plain language at a speed of 18 words per minute.

Examination for Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate.

“50a. The examination for a Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency shall be such as to show that a successful candidate possesses the knowledge and qualifications specified in this regulation, namely—

(a) An elementary knowledge of wireless telegraphy and wireless telephony and electrical principles.

(c) Ability to send correctly, and to receive correctly by ear, in Morse code, a message in plain language at a speed of 14 words per minute.”.

13. The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations are amended by inserting after Part III. the following Part:—

“Part IV.—Experimental Stations.

Classes of experimental stations.

“53.—(1.) There shall be two classes of experimental stations, namely, Class A stations and Class B stations.

“(2.) A licence for a Class A station may be granted to any person who—

(a) is over the age of eighteen years;

(b) is the holder of a First Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency or such other certificate of proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy as is determined by an authorized officer; and

“(3.) A licence for a Class B station may be granted to any person who—

(a) is over the age of eighteen years; and

(b) is the holder of a Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency or such otter certificate of proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy as is determined by an authorized officer.

Licences to be in parts and to be exhibited.

“54.—(1.) A licence for an experimental station shall be prepared in duplicate.

“(2.) The original shall be issued to the licensee and stall be retained by him, and the duplicate stall be retained in the Department.

“(3.) The licensee shall exhibit the licence wherever the licensed equipment is located.

Limitation on use of experimental equipment.

“55. The licensee of an experimental station shall use his licensed equipment solely for the purpose of investigation or research into, or instruction in, wireless telegraphy.

Stations with which experimental licensees may communicate.

“56.—(1.) Except as provided in regulation 29, the licensee of an experimental station shall not communicate with any station other than an experimental station.

“(2.) When communicating with another experimental station, the licensee of an experimental station may transmit and receive only messages of an unimportant character in plain language relating to experiments, or consisting of remarks of a personal nature:

Provided that the licensee shall not use his station for the purpose of communicating with countries whose Administrations do not allow the transmission or reception of such messages.

“(3.) The licensee of an experimental station shall not, in any circumstances, undertake the transmission or reception of messages for third parties.

Power to be used in experimental transmitting equipment.

“57.—(1.) The power (measured at the anode of the valve or valves delivering power to the aerial circuit) to be used in an experimental transmitting station shall not, except in such special cases as may be approved by the Minister or an authorized officer, exceed 50 watts in the case of a Class B station or 100 watts in the case of a Class A station.

“(2.) The licensee of an experimental station shall not incorporate components in his transmitting equipment which will enable him readily to increase the authorized power.

“(3.) The licensee of an experimental station shall install and maintain, to the satisfaction of an authorized officer, approved instruments for indicating accurately the power used.

Types of emissions which may be used.

“58.—(1.) Except with the approval of an authorized officer, the licensee of an experimental station shall confine his transmissions to continuous wave and telephony emissions.

“(2.) The licensee of a Class B station shall confine his transmissions to continuous wave emissions for a period of six months from the date of commencing operations:

Provided that an authorized officer may waive this requirement in respect of any person who held a licence for an experimental station under the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations repealed by Statutory Rules 1942, No. 348, or in such other circumstances as an authorized officer may determine.

Frequency control apparatus to be maintained.

“59. The licensee of an experimental station shall ensure that his transmitting equipment is always accurately tuned to the frequency on which he intends to operate and for that purpose he shall, unless exempted from so doing by an authorized officer, maintain, in good order, apparatus of a type approved by an authorized officer.

Call sign to be used.

“60. The licensee of an experimental station shall signal the call sign of his station at the beginning and end of each transmission and, if a transmission extends over a period in excess of ten minutes he shall signal the call sign not less frequently then once in every five minutes.

Carrier wave to be modulated.

“61. The licensee of an experimental station shall not, except for brief tests and adjustments, cause a carrier wave to be emitted from his transmitting equipment unless such wave is subjected to intelligible modulation.

Types of circuits to be used.

“62. The licensee of an experimental station shall employ in his transmitting equipment such circuits, devices or methods as will ensure freedom from the effects of frequency variation (other than necessary modulation), harmonics, key impacts or other unessential emissions.

Manner of erection, &c, of apparatus.

“63. The licensee of an experimental station shall erect, fix, place and use his licensed equipment in such a manner as to avoid interference with the efficient and convenient working of other stations.

Recordings not to be transmitted.

“64. The licensee of an experimental station shall not, without the approval of an authorized officer, transmit any matter which has been recorded by means of a sound recording device.

Removal of equipment from licensed address.

“65. The licensee of an experimental station shall not, without the prior approval of the Chief Inspector (Wireless), remove his licensed equipment from the address shown on the licence.”.

Heading to Part IV.

14. The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations are amended by omitting the heading “Part IV.—Miscellaneous.” and inserting in its stead the heading “Part V.—Miscellaneous.”.

Re-numbering of certain regulations.

15. Regulations 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58 of the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations are respectively re-numbered regulations 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71.

The Schedule.

16. The Schedule to the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations is amended by omitting the eighth item and inserting in its stead the following items:—

“For examination for First Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency and the issue thereof to a successful candidate	10	0
For examination for Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency and the issue thereof to a successful candidate	7.	6”

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

5939.—2

Overview

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1945, enacted under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905-1936, were introduced to address the need for clearer and more specific regulations governing the operation of experimental wireless telegraphy stations. This legislative instrument, made by the Governor-General in Council, provides detailed guidelines and requirements for the licensing, operation, and oversight of such experimental stations. The primary policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that experimental activities in wireless telegraphy do not interfere with public communications and are conducted in a manner that aligns with national and international standards. The regulations outline specific criteria for the classification, licensing, and operational parameters of experimental stations, including power limits, permissible emissions, and communication restrictions. By providing a structured framework for experimental activities, the regulations aim to foster innovation in wireless technology while safeguarding the integrity of public communications.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, amended by Statutory Rules 1945, No. 185, apply to the regulation and licensing of wireless telegraphy operations within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations primarily focus on the establishment and operation of experimental stations, which are defined as stations used solely for the purpose of investigation, research, or instruction in wireless telegraphy. The amendments introduce new classifications for experimental stations, distinguishing between Class A and Class B stations, each with specific licensing requirements, including age, proficiency certificates, and prior operational experience. Licensees of experimental stations are subject to various conditions, such as limitations on power usage, types of emissions, and restrictions on the communication of messages. Notably, experimental stations are exempt from certain regulatory requirements imposed on commercial wireless telegraphy stations, such as maintaining records of messages and keeping registers open for inspection. The regulations also introduce examinations for First and Second Class Amateur Operator’s Certificates of Proficiency, setting out the knowledge and skills required for successful candidates. These regulations extend to the entire Commonwealth, applying uniformly across states and territories, and are enforced by authorised officers appointed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1936.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, namely Statutory Rules 1945 No. 185, introduce new regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1936. These regulations, which came into effect on 29th November 1945, primarily focus on the establishment and regulation of experimental stations for wireless telegraphy. Regulation 2 amends the existing Wireless Telegraphy Regulations by re-structuring the parts, adding a new Part IV specifically for experimental stations and re-naming the former Part IV as Part V (paragraphs 1 and 14). Regulation 3 introduces a new definition for "experimental station" as a station used for investigation, research, or instruction in wireless telegraphy (paragraph 2). Regulation 5 adds experimental stations to the classes of licences required under the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations (paragraph 3). The subsequent regulations, from 10 to 16, detail specific requirements and conditions for the operation of these experimental stations, including the technical equipment, transmission conditions, and licence requirements. The obligations imposed by the Act on parties or entities it governs primarily concern the licensing and operational standards for experimental stations. For instance, Regulation 54 stipulates that a licence for an experimental station must be prepared in duplicate, with one copy issued to the licensee and the other retained by the Department (paragraph 54). The licensee is required to exhibit the licence wherever the licensed equipment is located. Regulation 55 imposes a strict limitation on the use of experimental equipment, allowing it to be used solely for the purpose of investigation, research, or instruction in wireless telegraphy (paragraph 55). Furthermore, Regulation 56 restricts the communication of experimental station licensees to other experimental stations only, barring any communication with non-experimental stations unless under specific conditions (paragraph 56). Additionally, Regulation 57 sets power limitations for the transmitting equipment of experimental stations, with different limits for Class A and Class B stations (paragraph 57). The Act also outlines various offences, penalties, or consequences for breach of its provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, it is implied that breaches of the regulations could lead to enforcement actions by the Minister or an authorized officer. For instance, non-compliance with the power limitations (Regulation 57) or transmission restrictions (Regulation 56) could result in penalties, as the regulations include provisions for approval by the Minister or an authorized officer in special cases. Similarly, failure to adhere to the licence requirements or exhibit the licence as mandated by Regulation 54 could result in enforcement actions. The penalties for such breaches would typically be determined by the relevant authorities based on the severity and nature of the violation.

Area of Law: Technology Law; Regulatory Standards
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Licensing & Registration; Regulatory Standards
Catchwords: Experimental Stations

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

Legislation content

Overview

Scope and Application

Key Provisions

Legal classification tags

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions