27 Dec 2019

Another LW broadcaster closes

According to Southgate News another LW broadcaster (Europe 1)  is closing.

As a recent purchaser of a small internet radio, I can see more and more people moving to these: my unit is able to receive 40000 stations like locals from right across the planet. There is no interference, no fading - perfect. It is as easy to listen to a station in Sydney or Capetown as the BBC and the quality is as good.

Does this mean a greater chance of access to some of this spectrum for radio amateurs? In the USA people can get access to LW frequencies even without a licence with 1W and antennas shorter than 50 feet. It would be good if OFCOM allowed some limited access to some LW frequencies even if by NoV, with very limited power and with antenna restrictions, on a strictly non-interference basis. I have advocated a more liberal approach to spectrum generally before.   If power is limited and no interference is caused why not? If users are traceable they can be closed down very quickly if there is a problem.

In my view radio amateurs in the UK should be given access to all frequencies on a low ERP basis with an NoV and on a strictly non-interference basis. I guess this is too radical! Imagine the real value to radio science if this was possible. There would be few takers with an NoV, so not hard to police.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/december/europe-1-on-183-khz-closure-confirmation.htm#.XgS2Q-iTLnE

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