Ofcom - ECC Decision on AM SSB CB apparatus

ECC published (June 2011) a Decision harmonizing CB radio across the European Union but until now Ofcom have dragged their heels in implementing it.

It appears that Ofcom intend to drag out implementation further but their statement says the ECC Decision should probably be implemented by the end of 2013.

In the late 1970's radio amateurs such as James Bryant G4CLF, President (UK) Citizens' Band Association, campaigned for the legalisation of AM/SSB CB now some 35 years later it looks as though it will finally be achieved.

Ofcom statement - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-management/licence-exempt-radio-use/citizens-band-radio/notices/ecc-decision/

ECC Decision ECC/DEC/(11)03 - The harmonised use of frequencies for Citizens’ Band (CB) radio equipment -http://www.erodocdb.dk/Docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCDEC1103.PDF

European Union gets 27 MHz SSB CB - http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2011/eu_gets_27mhz_ssb.htm

James Bryant G4CLF in New Scientist magazine March 2, 1978 - http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ip4h-vBJcnsC&pg=PA559&lpg=PA559&dq=CB+%2B+%22James+Bryant%22&source=bl&ots=MYJjYXx98x&sig=6OxUWNo5gkdssb5CwgPLSZCZE68&hl=en&ei=aJXLToSvCYu3hAegu8CyDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=CB%20%2B%20%22James%20Bryant%22&f=false

HF/VHF/UHF Multicoupler released

Cross Country Wireless now have the first production models of their HF/VHF/UHF Multicoupler available for sale.

This is a multicoupler or antenna distribution amplifier that can share a single antenna between up to five receivers. It also provides lightning surge and over-power protection on the antenna port.

This product has been under development for over a year and one of the spin-offs from the work was the revised RF front end for the SDR-4+ receiver.

The multicoupler has a very wide bandwidth (1 to 400 MHz -3dB) and a very high output IP3 figure of 40 dBm.

The specification for reverse isolation and receiver to receiver isolation is also very good (typically better than 50 dB).

More information - http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/multicoupler.htm

RF filters and diplexers - Cross Country Wireless

Cross Country Wireless have started making their range of RF filters and diplexers again after a break following the launch of their SDR-4+ receiver.

The RF filters include bandpass filters for 50, 70, 144 and 432 MHz, 144/432 MHz dual band filters and a double notch 144 MHz filter notching the UK paging frequencies.

The 144/432 MHz dual band filter is particularly useful with Yaesu/ Icom/ Kenwood dual band mobiles cutting out interference from and to local broadcast, TV, GSM and other amateur band signals.

The diplexers available are 50/70 MHz and 144/432 MHz.

Filters are £58.50 plus £5.00 post and packing.

Diplexers are £63.00 plus £5.00 post and packing.

More details including actual test sheets of recent filters and diplexers are available on their web site - http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/filter.htm

Diplexers - http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/diplexer.htm