OFCOM statement about UK 8m permits

This statement by OFCOM about UK 8m operation has appeared in many places and the RSGB has made a statement. I have re-read the OFCOM statement many times as I have my licence.

Now, I am no legal expert and what follows is my interpretation, but....

I think the RSGB is wrong.

My reading and re-reading of the OFCOM statement and my amateur radio licence leads me to these conclusions:

1. OFCOM does not want to release any 8m spectrum for radio amateurs. Personally I think this is stupid when they could have released just 5 kHz, digital modes only, at 5W, no contests, by NoV, on a strictly non interference basis. Surely self training is what our hobby is all about?

2. As long as those operating on 8m hold an amateur radio licence and callsign and are receiving crossband reports from other radio amateurs using the frequencies only allowed in their licence schedule, I cannot see this is illegal. Yes, those working crossband to 8m non radio amateurs licenced under T and I conditions would be illegal.

3. Inter-working other stations duly authorised to operate on 8m is legal in the UK. Working those in other administrations is a matter for those administrations.

These are my personal views, not legally binding views. You need to seek your own legal position.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/march/rsgb-statement-concerning-40mhz-in-the-uk.htm#.YkV-BIrMLrc

UPDATE 1512z:   I think OFCOM really wanted a "light touch" on this. As the RSGB sought clarification, they had to answer. The RSGB interprets this differently to me.

History of SSB

Southgate News has a piece on the history of SSB.

See Southgatearc.org/news/2021/august/the-history-of-single-sideband.htm#.YSEdbfLYrrc  .

EMF calculator

Southgate News has a piece about a new EMF calculator produced by OFCOM and the RSGB. At some point we may have to show OFCOM that our ERP is within certain limits, for example if a neighbour made a complaint.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/updated-rsgb-ofcom-emf-calculator.htm#.YBbCt_GTLrc

DXCC news

Many years ago I ceased chasing DX. If I work DX then great, but I am not prepared to invest in high power rigs, towers, linears and beams as well as hours and hours calling. Life is just too short. If this "floats your boat" that is fine. Each to their own. Just count me out.

A useful list of current DXCC entities is shown on the Southgate News website.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/july/dxcc-report-26-07.htm#.Xx8dQIjYq00

Fewer rallies?

On Southgate News I read about there being just one Kempton rally this year rather than two.

The organisers mention several reasons, but our hobby is going to change as people die and fewer young people enter the hobby. At one time, it was a chance to see, maybe buy, a glossy new radio. These days many do this online, checking reviews and downloading brochures.

I have cautioned before, but I think we'll see fewer new radios, fewer magazines and less activity in the next 10-20 years. As I have said before, I hope I am proved very wrong.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/kempton-rally.htm#.Wn3I70x2vIU

New dual band 4m/2m yagi

Thanks again to Southgate News come details of a new dual band InnovAntennas yagi covering 2m and 4m. At over £200 with shipping this is not cheap, but if these are your favourite bands it may be what you need. I have no doubts that it will be well made.

Time you add a rotator and low loss coax, it is too much for me I am afraid, although this is your decision, not mine. You alone have to decide how to spend your disposable income.  To you it may be a good investment.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/innovantennas-releases-4-2m-dualbander.htm#.Wl9vEEx2vIU

Antarctic WSPR beacon

Thanks to Southgate News comes a link about a multi-band WSPR beacon and RX in Antarctica. Although my own 500mW 10m WSPR has already been copied in Antarctica some years ago, this will be very useful.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/wspr-beacon-on-the-way-to-the-antarctic.htm#.Wlteykx2vIU

PTT with cellular network radio

It had to come.

Southgate News has details of a mobile radio using cellular radio as its bearer. It uses Android and can link with things like Echolink for radio amateurs. The  "radio" is sold by Moonraker.

See https://www.moonraker.eu/inrico-tm-7-network-mobile-radio

MSF off-air periods

Southgate News has a useful reminder of the days and times MSF will be off-air for maintenance.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/msf-scheduled-maintenance-periods.htm

Old Scatterpoint Microwave Newsletters

Thanks to Southgate News I reminded that old copies of Scatterpoint are available online. If you want to read 2017 and 2018 editions you need to join UKuG.

See http://www.microwavers.org/indexs.htm

High Power Wireless Power Transmission

According to Southgate News the IARU is taking seriously the threat of RF pollution from this source.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/iaru-addresses-new-radio-spectrum-pollution-threat.htm#.WkZwNUx2vIU

Somalia DXpedition

Southgate News brings news of a DXpedition to Somalia next month.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/6o6o-from-somalia.htm#.WkJTfUx2vIU .

KW Days

Southgate News reminds us that KW Days are held in early January. At university in the late 1960s we had a KW2000 and later a KW2000A and linear. Probably my first experiences as a transmitting amateur were with these rigs. Looking back, we had some good times and good QSOs. Remember "phone patches" with USA stations?

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/kw-days.htm#.Wj4lBUx2tMs

Radio Caroline returns - NOT amateur radio

According to Southgate News, Radio Caroline (once a pirate radio station on a ship) is returning to Medium Wave on an old BBC frequency.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/radio-caroline-returns-to-the-airwaves.htm#.Wj0sIUx2tMs

Bath repeaters to lose university site

Southgate News reports that the Bath repeaters are being evicted from their university site next month. I do not know if there are plans to re-site them.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/bath-repeaters-lose-university-site.htm#.Wjgqr0x2vIU .

Southgate News 10m Report

This confuses me.

Many of the reporters are in W, PY, VK etc so I have no idea from this report what is being worked or heard from the UK. As a simple list of DX on the band it is meaningless.

If this was a list of what was being heard or worked from the UK, it would be far more useful. I know my 10m setup is not the best, but reading this report, you might think there is more there than in reality. Certainly on 10m FT8 lately it has been dire. Most days I monitor 10m.

See http://southgatearc.org/bands/10metres/2017/december/dec-07.htm#.Wikilkx2v4g

ARRL 10m Contest - this weekend

Southgate News reminds us that the ARRL 10m contest is this weekend. With declining solar conditions, 10m is much harder than a few years ago. It's funny how dead bands come to life in a contest!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/the-arrl-10-metre-contest.htm#.WiaB8kx2v4g .

Allocation of amateur callsigns

Southgate News reports on another Freedom of Information request to OFCOM.

See https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/unallocated_uk_amateur_radio_cal_4#incoming-1071737  .

Yet again, I think OFCOM has provided the data on a minimalist basis.

The future of our hobby

As always, Southgate News is providing links to some interesting stuff. One such story was about the future of our hobby. Personally, I have grave doubts about the future, as I have voiced before. One thing is certain: the thing that got us interested in radio is unlikely to be the same today. What "turns on" youngsters today is very, very different.

Some would call me a fireside fusilier in that I am "gunner do this and gunner do that". What is certain is that our hobby has to evolve or die out. The future is in our hands.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/millennials-are-killing-ham-radio.htm#.Whgjjbp2vIU

New cubesat - Oscar 91

Southgate News reports that a new cubesat is "up there".

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/radfxsat-launched.htm#.WhFcpbp2vIU