Receive-Only Radio Scanners Guidance

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UK Regulator Ofcom has provided guidance in relation to the legal position of reception of radio transmissions by unauthorised persons or groups 

It notes that the services that can be listened to under the definition of general reception are:

  • licensed broadcasting stations;
  • amateur and citizens' band radio transmissions; and
  • weather and navigation transmissions

Radio scanners should not be used to listen to any other radio services, including illegal radio stations (pirates - by virtue of the fact that they are not licensed radio stations). 

Ofcom advise there are two criminal offences, under section 48 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, relating to unauthorised reception.

More information -  
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/spectrum-enforcement/guidance

PMR446 Liberalisation

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Ofcom has decided to amend the existing Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 licence exemption criteria for some wireless devices 

The follows regular Ofcom reviews and reflects technical developments. In particular, the amendments include some minor changes to the existing exemption criteria for the following devices:

  • Personal Mobile Radio (PMR) 446: liberalising the use of this band (446.0 to 446.2 MHz) by removing analogue and digital demarcations from the frequency bands;
  • Railway Level Crossing Radar: replacing the current ‘exclusion zones’ surrounding Radio Astronomy sites with ‘coordination zones’; and
  • Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) equipment: reclassifying the technical requirements, currently classed as Cordless Telephony, to Short Range Devices.

Ofcom statement - 
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/wta-exemptions-jul15/

YOTA 2016‏ Austria - Call for Applications

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Lisa Leenders PA2LS, Chair of the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group reports the next YOTA event which will take place in Austria 

The 6th edition of Youngsters On The Air will take place in Austria. OeVSV (Österreichischer Versuchssenderverband, which will celebrate their 90 years anniversary, will be hosting next YOTA summer event. 75 Youngsters will be invited to travel to the Austrian Alps to enjoy a program with many new elements compared to previous years.

It will be a great experience for all participants which they will never forget. To get a better feeling about this, have a look at the gallery from previous events. 

More inforamtion - http://www.ham-yota.com/gallery/