Move to enable UK Full licensees to use 1 kW
Date :
27 /
06 /
2023
Author :
Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
Move to enable UK Full licensees to use 1 kW
The British radiocommunications regulator, Ofcom, has launched a consultation on amateur radio licensing that proposes, amongst other things, changes to permitted maximum power for Full licensees to use “1000 Watts in bands where amateur radio has a primary allocation.”
Further to that, Ofcom proposes to increase the maximum permitted transmit power for Foundation licensees to 20 Watts in most bands and 100 Watts for Intermediate licensees.
Ofcom reveals that it intends to make changes to the amateur radio licensing framework “. . . to provide greater operating freedom for people using amateur radio while making the process of getting and using a licence simpler, clearer and more consistent and responsive.”
The principal changes that Ofcom proposes include:
 retaining the existing 3-tier licensing framework while streamlining Notices of Variation (NoV);
retaining lifetime licences while updating the mechanisms for revalidation;
allowing anyone to operate an amateur’sstation under the licensee’s supervision;
allowing Foundation licensees to build their own equipment and access the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands; and
only permitting licensees to hold one licence grade, surrendering lower licences as they progress.
Ofcom also proposes to streamline and modernise call sign assignment, along with providing clearer and less complex rules.
Some of the changes Ofcom now proposes for UK amateurs are very similar to those advocated, or achieved, by the WIA for Australian amateurs over the past decade, or more.
Recently, Ofcom required all UK amateurs to undertake electromagnetic radiation impact assessments of their stations, forwarding the results.
In Australia, since 2003, the ACMA has required licensees to undertake such assessments and to maintain documentation of the results; for licensees applying to run powers higher than 400 Watts, the ACMA may require a licensee to produce that documentation.
Whether Ofcom’s move will influence the ACMA’s thinking on Australian amateur licensing remains to be seen while the ACMA proceeds through its 5-year work plan.
The Ofcom consultation document can be found here: Link
Page Last Updated: Tuesday, 27 Jun 2023 at 11:13 hours by Lee Moyle
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