Reduced Power for Swedish Amateur Radio Operators

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The SSA report the communications regulator, PTS, is planning to introduce new amateur radio regulations on 1st November 2018, replacing existing rules made in 2016.

In Sweden there is no annual amateur license, on passing a HAREC compatible exam organized by the SSA the amateur call sign is issued free of charge and is valid for life, a transmitter power of up to 1 kW output is permitted.

The proposed changes would cut the maximum power to 200 watts if an amateur wished to run more they would have to pay an annual fee of US$33.

The proposed regulations will also include the new 5 MHz band agreed at WRC-15.

The deadline for comments on the proposals is March 30.

SSA post (Google English) - https://tinyurl.com/PTS-Reduced-Power

 

Auction of Former Amateur Radio Spectrum

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Ofcom has announced the companies that have qualified to take part in the upcoming spectrum auction

Ofcom is releasing 40 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band to improve broadband for today’s mobile users. It is also releasing 150 MHz of spectrum in the 3.4 GHz band to prepare for the rollout of future 5G services. The spectrum will be made available through an auction process, which Ofcom expects to start in late March.

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The auction plans, announced last year, had been subject to legal challenge by both Three and BT/EE. The High Court rejected these claims in December 2017, and earlier this month, the Court of Appeal refused Three permission to appeal that decision. Ofcom is now pressing ahead with plans to hold the auction as quickly as possible.

Ofcom has assessed the applications received from companies wishing to take part in the auction and is today publishing details of those that have qualified. They are:

  • Airspan Spectrum Holdings Limited
  • EE Limited
  • Connexin Limited
  • Hutchison 3G UK Limited
  • Telefónica UK Limited
  • Vodafone Limited

All qualified applicants now have three days to confirm whether they wish to take part, or withdraw from the process. We will publish the final list of bidders that will be taking part, once this period passes.

Ofcom Announcement -https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/qualified-companies-spectrum-auction

 

Updates Iceland Radio Regulation

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The Iceland Radio Amateurs (IRA) site says the regulator PFS has updated the Amateur Radio regulations

It would appear that Icelandic amateurs have gained the new WRC-15 60m 15 kHz wide allocation (5351.5-5366.5 kHz) limited to 15 watts but lost the 150 kHz wide allocation (5260-5410 kHz) which permitted 100 watts EIRP and had been available by special permit.

There is an error for 7.1-7.2 MHz which gives max power for "G" license as 100 watts, the PFS have acknowledged it should read 1000 watts.

PFS Announcement - https://www.stjornartidindi.is/PdfVersions.aspx?recordId=4c471ff1-b497-433e-9295-cba56455db09

IRA site in Google English - http://tinyurl.com/IcelandIRA