915-921 MHz to be licence exempt in UK

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Ofcom has published a statement setting out its decision to release the 870-876 MHz and 915-921 MHz spectrum bands on a licence exempt basis

This follows a consultation in January 2013. The released spectrum will be used by Short Range Devices (SRDs) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFIDs). A further consultation on the technical details of the licence exemption will follow in the autumn.

The adoption of 915-921 MHz by CEPT would create the only licence exempt spectrum between 41 and 2400 MHz that is available world-wide. Other licence exempt frequency bands for SRDs and RFIDs are only available on a regional or country basis causing problems when equipment produced for one country is sold in another.

Ofcom Statement - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/872_876_mhz/statement/

Olivier ON4EI back in Ireland

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Olivier ON4EI is back in Ireland between the 7th to 31st July 2013 to operate EI8GQB/EI1A from a caravan using green energy.

He will also activate EI1A callsign during

- the IARU HF World Championship contest 13-14 July

- the CQ WW VHF contest 20-21 July (on 50 MHz only),

- the Island On The Air contest 27-28 July

Activity and antenna experimentation - http://www.qrz.com/db/EI8GQB

UStream - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ei8gqb

 

Australian SKI DXepedition

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Each August, a team of amateurs and close family and friends head up to the Alpine High Plains for some backcountry XC skiing and exploration of the alpine environment. We tend to ski around during each day and settle into a hut each night. On radio, we work 40m (around 7.100 MHz) each afternoon and 80m (close to 3.600 MHz) each evening. Other HF bands are sometimes activated depending on activity and conditions. Various 2m and 70cm FM repeaters are also worked while we ski around and 146.525 MHz simplex is used as a liaison channel. APRS is also utilised.

All gear must be carried in and each team member has to be reasonably self-sufficient with food, shelter, survival gear etc. Weight needs to be kept to a minimum in order to make packs manageable while on skis. With careful planning, it is possible to carry as little as 10-16 kg for a four day trip.