Whilst I understand recent OFCOM changes to the UK amateur radio licenses, I am disappointed that power levels have been increased. Having worked all over the world with 10W pep SSB many years ago and now with even better modes like FT8 available, why do we need more power? 1kW linears are VERY expensive, re-enforcing the message that amateur radio needs deep pockets for rigs, linears, towers and beams.
As I hope I have shown, deep pockets and high power are definitely NOT needed to have fun or work the world. I hope more stick with foundation licenses!! You can work the world, and have far more fun, for the cost of a few pints of beer or a good night out.
You definitely do not need to spend much money or run loads of power!!
4 comments:
I wish they had made at least one of “WARC” bands QRP-only when they were introduced…. Say a 5 watt or 10 watt global limit.
A friend of mine was spotted on 40m in Australia (from the UK) using 20mW.
I suspect many people will start to run a kilowatt “just because they can.” I have worked Australia and China with less than 10 watts - but admittedly not at QRPp or QRPx power levels (yet….)
In my mind the foundation and intermediate licences should of had band limits like USA or like the old UK Novice.
Yes it was A & B class because of the morse requirement but a Noice A class only had access to:
160M/ 80M/ 30M/ 15M/ 10M /6M /70cms /23cms and 3cms with 3watts max
The foundation should of been 10M - 70cms (10watts) gives the a start into the hobby, Intermediate 40M/20M/15M/10M & 6M/4M/2M/70cms/23cms & 3cms at 100watts
Yes noise floors have increased, modes have improved but what incentive has a Foundation licence even more so a intermediate have to progress to a FULL licence when the intermediate has pretty much everything except 630M & 60M, to use the radio abroad and 1KW!!!!!!!!
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