OFCOM is consulting on the future of amateur radio and is seeking views. If you have views it is important you read the proposals and give your feedback.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/263181/consultation-amateur-radio-review.pdf .
Just a reminder that OFCOM updates the records it holds on licences and similar matters every week.
I sent an email to Dave Parsons at OFCOM, who has always been quick and helpful. Within 24 hours he came back to me for some clarification. Hopefully, he will unblock things. He is one of the better people there.
UPDATE 1333z: Just a day after contacting Dave, my licence has been amended so I can run 20W if I need/want to on 8m.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the publications it holds on the statistics on licences and similar.
Way back in early April I wrote to OFCOM to request a simple change to my 8m T&I licence. They wrote back to say they were very busy, but I have still not received an answer. The answer would have taken about 90 seconds in an email. I am sure that if I was talking about 6G I would have got an answer back in just minutes!!
No, basically we do not matter much and it shows. My own view of OFCOM is they could not care less about anybody unless they can generate money.
Is this the future? Deregulation and go ahead, but you must not cause interference to services that generate money. As mentioned before, I can see a day coming when all non-licenced operation is combined and we can use any CB, amateur radio frequencies and ISM frequencies without a licence. Amateur radio generates no money, so why care?
The Es season is already well through. Perhaps I should go ahead anyway and seek forgiveness later!
BTW, OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. See the OFCOM website for the latest.
OFCOM is consulting on eLoran which may operate 90-110 kHz. I do not thinks this will cause issues with the Amateur Radio Service. The consultation is open until July sometime and your input would be welcomed.
Following correspondence with OFCOM here in the UK, it is my view that anyone at all may use the 8m ISM band 40.66 - 40.70 MHz for beacons without a licence as long as they comply with the technical requirements and IR2030. In the UK this means 10mW ERP .
At times this will cross Europe on WSPR, possibly even on FT8. In your own country, rules may be different. If you are unhappy, seek your own legal advice as I am not a legal expert. In the UK callsigns and locators are not required by law in the ISM bands, but I advice using a callsign and QTH locator that can be reported on WSPRnet.
What this could mean is many more stations beaconing on 8m.
This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service.
As I see it, it is a legal way to do experiments and research on 8m.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the information it hold on licences etc. every week. See the OFCOM website for the latest data.
Incidentally, I enquired about changes to my T&I 8m licence. A month later, I am still awaiting a response. They say they are incredibly busy. At this rate, the Es season will be over before they respond! I know from work days how this can feel, but a response email would take just a few minutes!
Just a reminder that OFCOM updates the information it holds every week. There is also a list of its publications. See the OFCOM website.
Just a reminder that OFCOM updates its data every week. See the OFCOM website for details.
Certainly here in the UK and probably many (or all?) countries people seem to have licence free access to the 40.66-40.70 MHz ISM band as long as any national conditions are met. In the UK this means 10mW ERP maximum and full compliance with IR2030. Interference must be accepted and not caused. We know from Australia that 5mW 8m WSPR has been received at 5000km, so much of Europe could be spanned on 8m WSPR by anyone.
This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service!
This probably means any ISM band may be used licence free as long as national law is followed, although I have not asked OFCOM specifically about other ISM bands. Remember OFCOM only covers the UK. You have to either be sure of the legality in your country or seek legal advice if you are unsure.
OFCOM is looking at licences to improve efficiency. I have no idea what the changes will be. OFCOM is seeking opinions. Look on the OFCOM website for details.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the details held on licences etc every week. Check the OFCOM website for more details.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds on us every week. Check the OFCOM website for details.
A reminder than OFCOM usually updates the data it holds on licences weekly. It has also published several documents this week. See the OFCOM website for details.
OFCOM is consulting on the future use of the 1900-1920 MHz spectrum. See the OFCOM website for details. Apparently these frequencies are allocated, but not used.
Every week, OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc.. on us. See the OFCOM website for more details.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc. every week. See the OFCOM website for details.
Just a reminder that OFCOM updates the details held on licences etc. every week. Check the OFCOM website for more information.
A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. Check the OFCOM website for the latest.
