ISM bands legal operation

In some countries, people operate beacons to study radio propagation without needing a licence in the ISM bands. In the UK, such operation is unclear, so I have asked OFCOM to clarify. As I only asked yesterday I am not expecting an answer soon.

My question was:

"May I legally operate a test beacon, to investigate radio propagation, without a licence in the ISM bands at low power? If legal, at what power?"

Whatever the answer, I shall post it here.

In the meantime, this link seems to give a fair summary of legal ISM operation.

My reading indicates that at 8m one can use 10mW ERP legally under the short range devices legislation without a licence, but I do not know about type approvals. Can none type approved gear be used without a licence in the ISM bands in the UK? 

Sunspots - Wednesday November 9th 2022

Solar flux is 132 and the SSN 85.  A=12 and K=3. 

70cm activity contest (UKAC)

This evening was the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. As usual I entered the low power section for about 40 minutes with 10W and the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. 4 QSOs were made (see map).

Poplars and duckweed - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken at nearby Anglesey Abbey last week. It is about 5  miles from here by car.

Every year all the duckweed on the mill leat is cleared. They are doing it now. 

10m QRP WSPR TX (remembered!)

As I am on 8m FT8, my 10m antenna is free, so I have gone on 10m 500mW WSPR TX with my W5OLF beacon. Yes, I remembered!

Spots of me at 1346z

UPDATE 1346z:   So far, spotted by 9 unique stations.

UPDATE 1537z:  Spotted by 16 unique stations today.

8m QRP FT8 TX (first) and RX

 As 10m was looking good, I have QSYed to 8m (40.680) FT8 TX and RX.

UPDATE 1430z:  It looks like today is going to be disappointing for me on 8m. No spots of me or of others today. I am still on, but will probably go QRT later. I think conditions have to be really good for me to be copied in the USA on 8m.

8m monitors
active this afternoon

UPDATE 1632z:  Although I have not been successful"crossing the pond" today, there are several people on monitoring both in Europe and in the USA (see map).

10m FT8 RX

A promising start. 

I have been on 10m FT8 RX for about 20 minutes (it is now 1045z) and, so far, 129 stations have been spotted. 

At this rate, I shall definitely be trying 8m QRP FT8 later.

UPDATE 1127z:  234 stations spotted today.

AA7EE's blog

Dave has some excellent stuff. He is really into simple, low powered beacons and makes some magnificent assemblies using Me-Pads and Me-Squares.

See https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/.

Amateur radio kits

It is very hard to make money selling amateur radio kits. Some try and then fail quietly to disappear for ever. 

Some (especially from China) appear very low cost. Some of these are fine, but some are poor with unclear instructions and errors. If buying these, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). My advice is look at what others have said first. If you are not sure do not spend money!

One of the very best has been QRP-Labs, by Hans Summers. His kits have been around for many years and are of high quality. They sell fast.  Hans is a bright man. Unlike many, he really understands.

If you are considering getting a kit, think about what you are buying. Will they be here next year? Will the quality be what you expect? What if there are issues? Do they understand English? Can you communicate with them?

Plans for today (Tuesday)

This morning I intend to go on 10m FT8 RX. At lunch time I will QSY to 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 if things are promising.