Legal FPV frequencies in Australia

by lobstermash | June 4, 2012 | (9) Posted in Tips

For those not wanting to scour through the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000 defines what frequencies can be used for particular purposes and at what power. Any transmitters that do not comply with this licence, apart from 36Mhz (covered in the Radiocommunications (Radio-Controlled Models) Class Licence 2002) are illegal. 

Just for clarity however, 2.4 and 5.8 systems can be used; at surprisingly high power too! From the low interference licence: 

26

Telecommand or telemetry transmitters

1.  2400–2450

2.  5725–5795

3.  5815–5875

1 W

27

Telecommand or telemetry transmitters

5795–5815

2 W

Although I'm sure the risk of getting caught is very small, the lower two channels of the HK 900Mhz system are within the range of 3G mobile networks. The upper two are very close to air collision avoidance systems (around 1030Mhz). Please think carefully about taking a risk with using illegal systems, including risks to yourselves (high penalties if you get caught), others (like causing a plane to crash) and to other FPV pilots (getting this aspect of RC banned). 

For those confused about the whole 'licence' thing, you don't have to apply and you're covered merely by using the equipment.

Happy flying,

John

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COMMENTS

Clear Prop Productions on June 6, 2012
Hi John great article what is your view on uhf tx's?
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lobstermash on June 6, 2012
I won't claim any expertise in UHF, but I believe you have to get a licence to operate the UHF stuff (amateur radio licence, which you have to apply and pay for). Common systems have 415Mhz and 433Mhz channels. The latter of these is within the amateur band (420-450Mhz), while I think the other is in the band reserved for government (emergency services, at 403-420Mhz).

Anyhow, I'd highly recommend contacting ACMA. They're very quick to turn enquiries around and very helpful.
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Clear Prop Productions on June 7, 2012
Thanks Heaps
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bmsweb on June 6, 2012
Some great information here John, I'll be sure to go over it! Thanks for posting this.
Cheers
Paul

PS: 5 stars from me
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lobstermash on June 6, 2012
Thanks Paul.
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trobi81 on June 5, 2012
Hi John, Thank you for sharing this information! This is very interesting. What we think might be harmless, could pose as a high danger to the public.

Also, something that may be useful to everyone is the CASA guidelines. You can find information here about operating a "UAV" in Australia.

http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_91039

Thanks again for your post!
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lobstermash on June 5, 2012
Absolutely! ACMA leaves a large buffer around the collision avoidance frequencies that I'd be very nervous about messing with.

Good point about CASA too.
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hobosbazzoka on August 21, 2013
What Does use the 1.3ghz band exactly, can someone check with a spectrum analyer
specifically the 1280 and 1258 range?
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jollymangina on September 1, 2018
this info is outdated, the new law is 25mw for 5.8ghz.
although you could argue that fpv is telemetry due to the osd, and telemetry allows for up to 2w, so I guess that's what I will argue if I am asked because there is no way I am using 25mw for an FPV flight.
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Legal FPV frequencies in Australia