As you may have heard, on the 21st Feb 2024 the amateur licence was changed significantly to in Ofcom’s words “Introduce changes to enable greater operating freedom for people using amateur radio while making the process of getting and using a licence simpler and more consistent”, but what does this mean to the average amateur?
Below is a simple summary of the license changes that have been implemented, with high-interest items in bold. There are more to come later this/next year as the rollout is in 3 phases.
Call signs and suffixes:
- The use of Regional Secondary Locators (RSLs) will become optional, removing the mandatory requirements for RSLs from the licence. If you wish to continue using one, you are able to do so, and they remain a valid call sign format. For licensees using a ‘2’ format call sign, it will remain mandatory to insert an RSL.
- If you are a Foundation or Full licensee, you will be able to use the RSL ‘E’ in your call sign if operating in England, if you wish.
- You will no longer be required to apply for an NoV to your licence if you wish to use a ‘special’ RSL, when designated by Ofcom.
- We will amend the licence so licensees can use any suffix, so long as the station remains identifiable. It’s important to note that suffixes fall under the Wireless Telegraphy (Content of Transmissions) Regulations.
- New applicants will only be allowed to hold one personal licence (excluding any Club licence).
Power levels and airborne use:
- Foundation licensees will be able to transmit at 25 Watts PEP and Intermediate licensees at 100 Watts PEP, in bands where the Full licence currently permits operation at 400 Watts PEP. Full licensees will be able to transmit at 1000 Watts PEP in bands where amateur radio has a primary allocation.
- All licensees will be able to transmit airborne in primary amateur radio bands. There is a maximum power limit of 500mW EIRP.
Enabling more flexibility within the licence:
- Many Notices of Variation (NoV) will be embedded into the licence terms and conditions, so a NoV will not be needed for some activities which currently require a NoV. This includes the deployment of some beacons, repeaters, and gateways as detailed below.
- As a licensee you will be able to allow unlicensed individuals to use your radio equipment under direct supervision. You will remain responsible for ensuring they comply with your licence conditions.
- The rules on remote and unattended operation will be updated. As well as this, Foundation and Intermediate licensees will be able to use the internet for remote control operation.
- For most repeaters, beacons and gateways you will no longer require an NoV. Licensees will have to carry out an interference assessment to prove that they have minimised the risk of interference to other users. For powers above 5W, a call sign must be obtained from the RSGB.
- A new Data Station mode of operation will be introduced. This is to allow the authorisation of a wide variety of other data systems, mainly machine-to-machine operations. This provision will permit the following types of operation under the licence; APRS, UIView/Packet, data/trunk links, and RF mesh networks.
- As a Foundation licensee, you will be able to build your own equipment and access the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band. There is a maximum transmit power of 2 Watts in these bands.
- We will align various terms and conditions with other licences that Ofcom issues, simplifying many of the conditions, removing unnecessary complexity and making them clearer. We will also remove several provisions from the licence that are not required for spectrum management purposes.
For the full information pack, please take a look at the updated Licence conditions PDF.
basingstokearc.co.uk 