Do you use UHF radio for your surveying?
Make sure you know about the licensing requirements following the 400 MHz band changes.
Frequencies that used to be allocated to Differential GPS (DGPS) are now being used by government services like law enforcement and emergency services.
Are you using UHF radio for your surveying? If the answer is yes, are you operating without a license or causing interference to other services? Causing interference to other services means you could be fined or taken to court.
If you get your GPS correction via CORS (Intranet) and you are using VRSnow, GPSnet, or CORSnet, this will not affect you, but if you are still unsure, please contact us (1800 800 874).
Operating an unlicensed radiocommunications device is an offence under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. If found guilty an individual could face jail terms of up to 2 years and body corporates could receive a penalty of up to $270,000 (1,500 penalty units). Other penalties may apply, for example the interference offence provisions in Part 4.2 of the Act.
What to know about licensing your DGPS
- Operation of all DGPS equipment must be authorised by a relevant radiocommunications licence.
- All of the licence conditions must be met, including the permitted operating frequency, bandwidth, allowable transmitting power, location and antenna details.
- The licence issued will allow DGPS operation at one fixed site (site-specific operation) or within a larger geographic area (area-wide operation).
- If you are using a third parties radio communications licence you must have written authorisation and meet all conditions stated in the document.
- A site specific licence is required for any fixed base stations in use greater than 4 weeks.
UPG is able to issue third party authorisation for area wide frequencies under set conditions and limited time frames. This allows customers to begin work while organising their own licence based on site requirements.
Want to find out more, or not sure if you’re operating your DGPS legally?
- Call the AMCA on 1300 850 115.
- Speak with your authorised UPG dealer – 1800 800 874.
- Get the facts at acma.gov.au/400MHz.
- Find out more on our website.
This is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Independent advice should be sought if required.
