+[[!meta title="Radio"]]
# Amateur Radio and Rockets
## Why Radio? ##
sections of the FCC rules, particularly Part 15, it is possible to design
and build radios that can be used
without each user needing to hold an FCC license. Complying with those
-regulations isn't trivial and isn't cheap. Forunately, there is an
-alternative.
+regulations isn't trivial and can get expensive. Fortunately, there is
+an alternative.
FCC Part 97 and its equivalent in
other countries define an "amateur radio" (sometimes called "ham radio")
To legally operate a [TeleMetrum](../TeleMetrum) system as designed
in the USA, you need at least a "Technician Class" amateur radio
license. This is the entry level license, and getting one is actually
-pretty easy. The exam fee is low, and the license is good for 10 years and
-renewable for life. Anyone who has been through
+pretty easy. The exam fee is low ($15?), and the license is good for 10
+years and renewable for life. Anyone who has been through
the written test for a Level 2 high power rocketry certification will find
taking a ham radio license exam a similar sort of experience. The test is
multiple
of time, and there are some great online resources for learning the material
and taking practice exams until you're ready to take the real test. This
[ARRL page](http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/classes.html) is a good place
-to start.
+to start. We also have it on good authority that the book and iOS app
+available from [Ham Radio School.com](http://hamradioschool.com) are pretty
+good.
+
+## Operation in Other Countries ##
+
+In Australia, we have learned that operation of our products is legal
+without a license in the range 433.05-434.79 Mhz under the
+[LIPD](http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011C00543) provisions. However,
+please be mindful of ham radio and other possible licensed users in that
+band as licensed users have priority.
## Related Equipment ##
for direction finding are in the 70cm band.
Keith and Bdale both currently own and use the
-[Yaesu VX-6R](http://yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=4C6F204F6FEBB5BAFA58BCC1C131EAC0&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0)
+[Yaesu VX-7R](http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8D3254BFC69FB172D78647DC56EFB0E9&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0)
at launches.
### Antennas ###
for roving in radio contests, and the 6-element 432 Mhz design works fine
for chasing [TeleMetrum](../TeleMetrum)-equipped rockets.
+### Other Uses for an Amateur Radio License ###
+
+The [ARRL](http://www.arrl.org/) web site is full of information about other
+things that people do with amateur radio.
+
+How about a Doppler radar system for tracking rockets at a launch site? Yes,
+someone has actually done it! See [this page translated from Russian](http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http://serge77.rocketworkshop.net/radar/radar.htm&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhi33e0TGe5WOcXr1HpoZBgzjDLy7g)
+for the details!