Netherlands 5 MHz Ham Radio Band Active

From 1st April 2017, the  Netherlands State Gazette has announced that Dutch radio amateurs will have the new 5 MHz band agreed at WRC-15 

The World Radio Conference 2015 allocated 5351.5-5366.5 kHz to the Amateur Service with a maximum permitted transmission power of 15 Watts EIRP.

The Gazette notice also removed the cross-band and duplex restrictions on 50.45-52.0 MHz and 70.0-70.5 MHz.

VERON story in Google English - http://tinyurl.com/Netherlands-Gazette-2017-03-28

Gazette Number 17502 - https://www.veron.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/60-meter-per-1-april-2017.pdf

New Ham Radio Regulations in Netherlands

New Dutch amateur radio regulations highlight the possibility of future restriction in the 23 cm band due to the Galileo GPS system which operates across 1260-1300 MHz 

The Netherlands regulator Agentschap Telecom have issued a memorandum concerning unattended amateur radio licences for Repeaters, Beacons and APRS nodes. 

Regarding 23 cm "The possibilities for new licenses in this band may be in the future restricted, if it appears that there is too big an impact on primary usage (radio navigation satellites). The immediate reason for this is the deployment of Galileo."

Agentschap Telecom has adopted a Technology Neutral approach to regulation saying licences will be Technology Neutral as far as possible. Amateur radio technology is constantly evolving and licences for unattended operation will no longer specific requirements with regard to analog voice, digital voice, and data.

The memorandum details the specific frequencies on which Repeaters, Beacons and APRS nodes will be allowed to operate.

VERON News Post (English) - http://tinyurl.com/VERON-Regs-2017  
VERON News Post (Dutch) - https://www.veron.nl/nieuws/nieuwe-gedragslijn/

Agentschap Telecom PDF - https://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/sites/default/files/gedragslijn_vergunningen_radiozendamateurs_-_versie_1.0_-_15-03-2017.pdf

RSGB Claim Ofcom not Resolving Interference Complaints

UK Amateur / Ham Radio Society RSGB has taken issue with assertions by telecoms regulator Ofcom that the agency 'advises and assists spectrum users to help resolve harmful interference.' 

In response to Ofcoms 2017-18 Annual Plan, RSGB are unhappy that whilst Ofcom does advise complainants from the amateur community and elsewhere, it is “usually only to the extent of advising that they can do nothing and have no further interest in the case.” The regulator rarely uses its statutory powers to assist amateur radio hobbyists.

The issue of a perceived lack of response to spectrum policing is not only a UK issue. In the United States, the FCC has reduced the number of employees available to resolve interference issues.

Ofcom has been responsible for managing the UK spectrum since 2003 when 100 field staff responded and enforced the policy along with support from other offices and engineers. The RSGB concerns highlight that the spectrum is coming under increased pressure from non-compliant devices being policed by only 30 field engineers.