2009 On-air training for
Examination Trainees

Extracted, with thanks, from "Q-Bit", the journal of the Wellington VHF Group Inc., February 2009

February 2009 "Monthly Business Update" from the MED RSM announces a new facility for the training of budding radio amateurs.

The RSM publication "Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules" (PIB 46), applies to the holders of radio operator certificates and callsigns. It has been updated following comment from interested parties. The latest version (Edition 008) can be downloaded from: http://news.business.govt.nz/news/info/rsm/article/9366.

A new provision (on page 8) permits unqualified persons under training to operate an amateur station on-air with a club callsign, under the close supervision of a qualified operator. Until now, there have been no regulatory provisions to lawfully permit such activity. Unqualified operators, "Examination Trainees" undergoing supervised training, can now take the active part to set up a transmitter on-air, call and establish a QSO and take part in general communication and its procedures.

Training sessions using a club callsign do not require any prior official approval except the permission of the trustee of the club callsign. The discipline of log-keeping is exercised by the requirement for this club callsign activity to be logged by the persons involved and the log retained by the trustee.

The new provision reads:

"Club station trustees may authorise the use of the suffix "XT" with the club's permanent callsign for the purposes of instructing and training prospective amateur operator candidates in practical on-air operating procedures. Provided they are directly supervised at all times by a GAOC holder, candidates may take an active part in general communication, operate transmitter controls, and engage in calling and signing off procedures. A log of contacts made under a candidate's name using the XT callsign, must be kept by the trustee for 1 year after the last contact is made by a candidate."

So expect to hear club callsigns such as the Wellington VHF Group's club callsign being operated by Examination Trainees: ZL2WAXT.

As with all uses of a club callsign, if you have the opportunity to use your club callsign with this XT facility, you must first ask your club callsign trustee. Remember that close supervision by a qualified operator is required and that the trustee is required to retain the final logsheets.

This authorised practical on-air tuning-up provision and purposeful identifier is a step forward for the training of new operators. This activity can be blended into future club training events. Please work the XT stations that you hear and encourage the operators.

The news announcement is at:

http://news.business.govt.nz/news/info/rsm/