New Restrictions for Short-Range UHF Radios in Germany

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New Restrictions for Short-Range UHF Radios in Germany

In Germany, amateur radio may get an unintended boost following major restrictions that the nation's regulator has placed on the use of private mobile short-range hand-held radios known as PMR446.

PMR446, the popular short-range UHF radios enjoyed in much of Europe, could be enjoyed much less in Germany this month after changes enacted by the regulator BNetZa. The regulator will prohibit operators from using any external antennas with their radios and from using the radios as base stations.

PMR operators will also lose the ability to use their radios as repeaters or as Internet gateways -- two functions widely available to amateur radio operators. The PMR radios, which operate on 16 frequencies within the 446 MHz band, will be only be permitted to be used for so-called "peer-to-peer" or person-to-person mode.

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FT8 Warning to UK Hams

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Ofcom has started to contact UK amateur radio operators that may have fallen outside the UK band allocation when operating FT8.

Warning emails are being sent, advising the date and time of the transmission, and making recommendations to check the configuration software used to operate FT8.

Any operation of a callsign without permission can be reported to interference.report@ofcom.org.uk

Australian Band Plan Gets Sweeping Review

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The last major changes to Australia's national band plan were put in place nearly a decade ago, prompting the Wireless Institute of Australia to launch a sweeping review of everything, proposing changes across almost all bands.

Regulatory changes and shifts in on-air activity are two of the major drivers behind a wide-ranging overhaul being considered for Australia's ham bands. The WIA's Technical Advisory Committee opened a community consultation on the 17th of October and is expecting hams who have made requests over the years to formally weigh in on these proposals until the deadline on the 12th December 2025.

The proposed changes accommodate growth in the use of new modes and new areas of interest, particularly those involving the use of digital technology. They include revising ATV segments based on widespread adoption of Digital ATV modes; a review of repeater sub-bands considering the growth of digital voice hotspots on 2m and 70cm. Band plan data for the Microwave bands between 24 and 134 GHz are also being reviewed.

On HF, the proposal will try to achieve better alignment of band plans, including 630 metres and 160 metres.

The WIA is seeking responses only from licensed hams and clubs based in Australia. Revisions are expected to be published by the end of the first quarter of next year.