Swedish Amateur Radio Regulation Changes

Sweden's SSA has published an update on the changes to amateur radio exemption regulations that come into effect on 1st November 2018, this includes an 80% reduction in power level

On 1st October 2004, the Swedish communications regulator, PTS, made amateur radio transmitters exempt from individual licensing. In January 2018 PTS announced they would be drastically cutting the maximum permitted power under the license exempt regulations. To run higher power would require a special permit.

The SSA update on the changes to the exemption regulations says:

At the moment, it is speculative about the new amateur radio regulations and how the application process for high power licenses will look. Many members have asked SSA questions we were unable to answer. Now, however, the picture is becoming clearer.

The new exemption regulation, decided by the PTS, PTSFS 2018-3, -https://pts.se/globalassets/startpage/dokument/legala-dokument/foreskrifter/radio/beslutade_ptsfs-2018-3-undantagsforeskrifter.pdf

The regulation will enter into force on 1st November 2018 Given that the processing time for license applications is just six weeks, it will be a matter of urgency for those who want to participate in the high power class in this year's biggest international competitions.

Generally known in the past is that the general power limit for permission-free amateur radio is reduced from today's 1,000 watts to 200 watts. An application form for high power permits has been published on the Authority's website - https://www.pts.se/sv/privat/radio/ansokningshandlingar/

The application form shows that the permits apply only to fixed installations. Furthermore, it is also apparent that PTS thought that it should not apply for higher power output than today's 1000 watts. SSA wishes to emphasize that there is no fixed limit at 1000 watts in accordance with current regulations. You should be able to enter a different level of power in the Other Information Box if you consider such a need.

PTS has published a fact sheet with information about the new licenses on Friday: Factsheet on amateur radio station PTS-F-2018: - https://pts.se/globalassets/startpage/dokument/icke-legala-dokument/faktablad/radio/undantag/faktablad-amatorradiotillstand-pts-f-2018_7.pdf

2004 license exemption announcement - https://pts.se/en/english-b/radio/radio-amateurs/

Russia Proposes DRM on 65.9-74.0 MHz

The Russian Federation is proposing to use the digital DRM+ standard for broadcasting on the the radio frequency bands 65.9-74 MHz and 87.5-108 MHz.

The decision has the potential of being a major source of interference to radio amateurs using the 4 metre band (70 MHz) in central and eastern Europe. As 'Secondary Users' of this part of the spectrum, radio amateurs will have no choice but to live with any interference, especially during the Summer Sporadic-E season.

More Information - https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2018/09/russia-proposes-to-use-drm-on-659-740.html

Brazilian Access to Amateur Radio Bands Increases

ANATEL, the Brazilian telecoms regulator has produced an updated band plan, effective end of November 2018, which releases 60m to amateur / ham radio operators.

The 60m band allocation is the WRC-15 Secondary allocation 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz with 25W EIRP for Class A operators.

In addition, access has been granted too another two new bands – 135 kHz (1W EIRP) and 472 kHz (5W EIRP)

160m band access in Brazil has been expanded from 1850 kHz, making it now 1.8 – 2 MHz and the 80m band now becomes 3.5 – 4 MHz (previously 3.8 MHz).

The new frequencies are expected to come into operation in the week beginning Monday 26th November 2018.

ANATEL declaration - http://www.anatel.gov.br/legislacao/en/resolucoes/2018/1157-resolucao-697