Using an Amateur Radio

Except in an emergency, transmission on frequencies allocated to the Amateur Service may only be made by operators issued with an appropriate operating certificate and callsign.

In New Zealand, Approved Radio Examiners (ARX) are responsible for conducting examinations, issuing certificates (known as the General Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Competency or GAOC) and issuing callsigns.

The Amateur Radio Operators General User Radio Licence (GURL) allows certified operators to transmit on amateur radio frequencies without the need to obtain a licence in their own name or pay annual licence fees.