Belgium's national amateur radio society, the UBA, has published details of the May 24 decision of the BIPT Council on amateur radio frequencies, powers and transmission modes

On 27 May 2019, the Decision of the BIPT Council of May 24 concerning the frequencies, powers and transmission modes that may be used by the radio amateurs was published on the BIPT website.

This is an amended version of the Decree of 20th March 2019, which was revoked on March 27, 2019 following an objection from the UBA.

The new Decree meets the objections that many holders of a Basic license had against the Decree of 20th March 2019.

Changes to the Basic licence (ON3) [equivalent to 2002 UK Foundation] compared to the Decree of 20th March 2019

The maximum power on HF is increased from 10 W to 25 W. On VHF and UHF, the maximum power is retained at 50 W. To offer holders of a basic license sufficient choice in the purchase of transmitting equipment, equipment with a maximum power of 100 W.
At 80 m, the frequency range has been extended from 3500-3750 kHz to 3500-3800 kHz (the full 80 m band).
At 40 m the frequency range has been expanded from 7000-7100 kHz to 7000-7200 kHz (the full 40 m band).
At 20 m, the frequency range has been extended from 14000-14150 and 14250-14350 kHz to 14000-14350 kHz (the full 20 m band).
At 15 m, the frequency range has been extended from 21000-21150 and 21320-21450 kHz to 21000-21450 kHz (the full 15 m band).

The access to the full "classic" HF bands is very good news from the contester and DX hunters among our ON3s.

Access to the 6 meter band is no longer there, this can possibly be revised after the World Radio Conference of 2019.

Changes for the CEPT Novice license (ON2) compared to the Decree of 20th March 2019

Access to the full 160 m band (1810-2000 kHz) with a maximum capacity of 100 W.

The requested access to some SHF (GHz) bands with limited transmission power is not permitted for the time being because BIPT first wants to conduct a market investigation into the availability of "ready-made" transmission equipment (self-building of transmission equipment is not allowed for holders of a CEPT Novice license). The UBA is willing to participate in this market research, in the hope that BIPT will subsequently revise its decision.

Changes to the HAREC license (ON1) in comparison with the Decree of 20th March 2019

The maximum power in the frequency range 1850-2000 kHz has been increased from 10 W to 150 W.

The full Decree is available on the BIPT website - https://www.bipt.be/public/files/nl/22813/2019-05-24_RAM-besluit.pdf

At our General Meeting on 3rd May 2019, we had already lifted a tip of the veil, and the responses from the ON3s present were positive. We hope that in this way we have convinced our members (and also non-members) that we (UBA) also take the interests of the ON3s to heart, contrary to what some quatongs claim.

UBA (Google English) - https://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA