ARLA/CLUSTER: Most important changes for the Amateur's services in Portugal.

[João Gonçalves Costa]

Here are the most important changes introduced by the new Law 53/2009, for the Amateur's services in Portugal:

* Introduction of 3 new Ham class - named: 1, 2 and 3 - that will co-inhabit with the actual 3 (closed for new admissions A, B, C). So from now all 6 class will co-exist.
 
* Minimum age to became HAM will be 12 years old (actually 16 year old).
 
* The entry-class will be mandatory class 3.

 
* Entry class 3 amateur´s radio must: 

  * stay 2 years, minimum, on that class;
 
  * use 5 year maximum to apply for a class 2 permit. If they fail to get that permit they will lose the CAN;	
  * use his station for reception only. For transmission they must use another licensed (from other class) amateur-radio station. In this case the presence of the owner is mandatory, acting as supervisor.
 
		
* The old "station permit" is extincted, being substituted by the CAN - National Amateur Certificate (who allows a main fixed station, one additional fixed station, a mobile station and a portable station).
	
* Automatic renewal of CAN that have a initial 10 years validity.
 
* Creation of community stations - club stations.
	
* Creation of IOCA - special callsigns valid for one year. 

The new Law will be effective on 1st June 2009.

More info, in portuguese; http://ct-spot.blogspot.com/

Best Regards from,
CT-Spot News Team.