Amateur Radio FM Power limits

[VK2RK]

I obtained my ALOCP back in 1978, I recall then that a booklet was provided that set-out the regulations for the service
In this the modulation modes and allowed power levels got defined. Its been my understanding that AOCP and ALOCP
had the privilege to use 400 Watts regardless of modulation scheme.

The regulation now state for FM operations to limit the power to 120 Watts (Mean Power)
Note the term Mean Power

Mean Power Definition-
Mean power. The power at the output terminals of a transmitter during normal operation, averaged over a time sufficiently long compared with the period of the lowest frequency encountered in the modulation. A time of 1/10 second during which the mean power is greatest will be selected normally.
note (The lowest frequency will cause the greatest power)

Since most Amateurs self included can only measure at best average power depending on quality of power meter or peak power if using an oscilloscope
how are we supposed to measure 120 Watts (Mean)

Note this was introduced by the DOC (Department of Communications) pre ACMA to limit interference to the Cable television network.
Clearly then as now the WIA bent over and let it happen.

I was not aware of this regulation, I wonder how many more are in this situation.
Thus I contacted a retired radio inspector friend of sufficient vintage and I got a clarification, all these years I have been wrong in the understanding of the regulations, in fact it was 100 Watts for FM later raised to 120 Watts, however he agreed that the average Amateur has no way to measure mean power, placing reliance upon a commercial power meter to indicate a CW power level to be close enough to the requirement of the regulation..

 

[VK3ZYZ]

Maybe it was a bit Mean of them to change it?

 

[VK2RK]

Maybe it was a bit Mean of them to change it?

I wish I still had the old regulation booklet.... I am sure it was 400 Watts
The ex radio inspector is a lot younger than me so the 100 W rule could have been introduced later than when I sat for my ticket.
However just more regulatory nonsense that the operator has no hope to comply with leaving him or herself open to the department interpretation with no hope to mitigate any allegations.
Just the same I have been wrong for so many years .....
On a side note, I took most of my morning to find the actual regulation particular to the FM mode, it was no easy task sniffing about all the garbage that yet provided no specific answer to a simple question "How much Power am I allowed on FM?"

Maybe we should return to a simple booklet called regulations that once existed under the PMG

 

[VK3YNV]

It would be interesting to get a copy of the regulations as they were back in the 1970's, because I recall that we were allowed 400W CW
Which means that 400W FM would be legal.

 

[VK2RK]

It would be interesting to get a copy of the regulations as they were back in the 1970's, because I recall that we were allowed 400W CW
Which means that 400W FM would be legal.

That is my recollection.... WIA sleeping at the wheel to allow 100 Watts FM