New 8m T&I licence obtained

Even though I wish the RSGB and OFCOM would see sense and grant real experimenters an NoV for 8m, I have shelled out (yet again) to continue research at 8m until April 2nd 2024.  In my view their position on this seems totally stupid in the extreme!!!   As before, I asked for digital only at QRP.

I really hope as many as possible come on the ISM band without a licence whilst ensuring they are fully compliant with any national requirements. As I said yesterday, it is my view that anyone in the UK can run 10mW ERP WSPR beacons in the 40.66-40.70 ISM band without a licence and with whatever callsign you like!!

Strictly  speaking, you do not need to give your location, even with the T&I licence either! Personally I think this is bizarre.

Callsigns are not a requirement of ISM use, although I think there is nothing whatsoever to stop you using your amateur radio callsign as an identifier. This is not the Amateur Radio Service. You could, of course, make up your own callsign like "your initials"123!  If using WSPR, it is advisable to make sure the format of the callsign will be reported to WSPRnet.

New T&I 8m TX permit approved

Just heard from OFCOM that they have approved my T&I 8m permit for when mine runs out in April. I have asked for a provisional copy to check over. Assuming this is OK, it means I have broadly the same as currently until April 2024.

OFCOM updates

As usual, OFCOM has updated the information it holds on licences etc.. See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM consultation

 OFCOM is consulting about its 28 GHz allocation to Arqiva. See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM updates

 Every week, OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc..  See the OFCOM website for the latest.

OFCOM publications update

Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc..  See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM Spectrum Sandbox Workshop

OFCOM is to hold a workshop on its Spectrum Roadmap on February 17th. See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM Communications Weekly

Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds about licences etc.. See the OFCOM website for the latest. 

8m - military influence?

For some time now, there has been speculation about just why the FCC and OFCOM are so much against even a small amateur allocation at 8m. It is not as if they are neutral. The clear impression is they are dead against this.

One possibility is that the military are doing their best to keep the "riffraff" out. 

Even recent experimental licences in the USA have been turned down. It is almost as if the real reason for refusals is being hidden.

One possibility is that officials in OFCOM and the FCC have signed the Official Secrets Act or it equivalent and cannot reveal the full truth without fearing prosecution.

Logically, a tiny 8m band could help research. I am convinced we are not being told the whole truth. I suspect the 40.66-40.70 MHz ISM band is a real embarrassment.

I wonder if OFCOM will renew my 8m permit?

OFCOM and drones

OFCOM has been consulting about commercial drones. It is aware that they are getting bigger and better with longer ranges, so it has worked out a licencing regime for those controlling them. See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM has also updated the data it holds on us.

8m ISM research

 OFCOM has still to come back to me about legal operation in the 8m ISM band and self certification if there is no intention to market a product and the intention is simply research. I expect their lawyers need to be consulted first!! 

UPDATE 1616z:  Bingo!!! A definitive statement from OFCOM if you comply with IR2030 you do not need to apply for a licence in the ISM bands. These are OFCOM's exact words

"If it is radio equipment intended for telecommunications research purposes it may be possible to obtain an innovation and trials licence from Ofcom.

You can find more details on this here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/non-operational-licences  

 

If it conforms to the usage conditions laid down in IR 2030 you don’t need to apply for a licence. Regarding conformity of the equipment to other requirements, e.g. required for the marketing of products, or any potential liability to comply with those requirements, e.g. whether it is deemed as placed on the market / put into service, etc, isn’t something Ofcom can advise on.

 

Guidance on this aspect is published by the UK Government here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-market-conformity-assessment-bodies or you should seek your own independent advice."

OFCOM consulting on some changes to short range devices licence exempt rules

OFCOM is consulting on some changes it is proposing on its licence exempt SRD regulations. As far as I can see these affect some microwave allocations. This affects the Spectrum Licensing Regulations. See the OFCOM website for details. 

OFCOM and mobile data

OFCOM has consulted on spectrum for mobile data. See the OFCOM website for details. 

OFCOM Updates

Every week, OFCOM updates the figures it holds on us and publishes these. Check the OFCOM website for their latest figures.

Use of ISM bands in the UK

Just had this response from OFCOM about the use of ISM bands without a licence in the UK:

“The use of licence-exempt apparatus is authorised under exemption regulations, with set emission powers and other criteria.  This is in order for it to be available to all users with minimal risk of disruption or interference.

The limits, including maximum power levels and whether airborne use is permitted, are set out in the UK Interface requirement. If apparatus being used for testing meets the relevant technical criteria and complies with IR 2030, then a licence will not be necessary. Please note that some frequency bands which may be licence-exempt in other countries, such as the USA, may not be so in the UK and only the frequency bands listed are eligible for the exemption of qualifying apparatus.

In some circumstances we may be able to authorise the test or development of non-compliant radio apparatus under an Innovation and Trial (I&T) licence.  However, this generally will be under conditions that are sufficiently remote, shielded or otherwise unlikely to affect other users.  I&T is not intended for the operational use of radio apparatus, such as for the monitoring / control / telemetry of other apparatus, where a licensed or exempt authorisation is already generally available.  Even if it were the radio apparatus itself that is under test or development (in excess of normally permitted limits) we should emphasise that, as described above, it will not be possible to grant an operational permission for its future deployment and use.”

My reading of this is that as long as we meet the interface requirements set out in IR 2030, we are perfectly at liberty to use ISM bands for beacons without a licence.

At 8m, this means a limit of 10mW ERP.  10mW ERP does not sound much but on WSPR or FT8 range might be surprising.

This means anyone in the UK can use 8m (or any other ISM band) for beaconing as long as they fully comply with IR 2030.

I am not a legal expert and I have just shared what OFCOM has written in answer to my question earlier in the week.  In this instance, OFCOM has been very helpful indeed. I should like to thank OFCOM for the prompt reply.

OFCOM data on us

As usual, OFCOM has updated the information it holds on us. See their website for details. 

OFCOM spectrum roadmap

OFCOM has released its latest Spectrum Roadmap. See the OFCOM website for details. Yet again, the bias is towards microwaves and users that pay. 

All I am asking for is a more open and tolerant attitude to radio amateurs who seek to "self train" and do research possibly on new chunks of the radio spectrum. I see little evidence.

The document starts:

"The radio spectrum (the invisible waves that enable wireless technology)...."

Hmm.

OFCOM

OFCOM is proposing changes to their Network and Information Systems (NIS) Guidance. See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM news

Every week, OFCOM updates the data it holds on us e.g. licences.  See the OFCOM website for details.

OFCOM updates

As usual, OFCOM has updated the data it holds on us. See the OFCOM website for details.