UK Government to Sell 750 MHz Spectrum

Included within the recent 2016 Budget the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced that 750 MHz of Public Sector radio spectrum would be released. 

Currently, Amateur Services share much of 750MHz spectrum with the Public Sector 

“Electromagnetic spectrum is a valuable and scarce resource. Budget 2016 announces a new government commitment that 750MHz of valuable public sector spectrum in bands under 10GHz will be made available by 2022, of which 500MHz will be made available by 2020. ”

— UK Budget 2016

This builds on the UK government’s previous 2010 commitment, and will deliver wider economic benefits by generating capital receipts and by supporting innovation in digital communications services and the development of new technologies.

The 2016 UK Budget - 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2016-documents

Ham Radio Antenna Dispute in Canterbury

Armando Martins (M0PAM) an Amateur / Ham Radio operator for over 60 years, is attempting to receive planning permission for a 33ft mast at his home in Canterbury, Kent, UK

So far, Kent County Council have refused his attempts to gain permission for the mast after moving into sheltered housing in the town in 2012.

Martins is taking his appeals further, claiming the council is acting against his 'human rights' by stopping him from continuing with a hobby of more than 60 years. 

Full Story - http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/Radio-fanatic-vows-erect-30ft-mast-neighbours-say/story-28979266-detail/story.html#ixzz44KMHt8KT

UC Berkeley Elmers Hundreds of Hams

Hundreds of new young radio amateurs have been trained at the University of California, Berkeley 

Ham radio-related courses taught at the University of California Berkeley Campus and a follow-on “Annual VE Mega-Session” may be one reason that California continues to lead the nation in the number of Amateur Radio licensees.

Candidates took the exam on 16 March 2016, yielding 50 new Technician licensees, as well as three new General class, and five new Amateur Extra class licensees. 

For the third year in a row, scores of mostly electrical engineering and computer science students capped their participation in one of two ham radio-related classes taught by UC Berkeley EE/CS Professor Michael “Miki” Lustig, KK6MRI. His lower-division “Hands-On Ham” course is for sophomores, while his upper-division “Digital Signal Processing” course is aimed at juniors and seniors.

““These popular courses are filled quickly on registration day, Class members also include some majoring in mechanical, biological, and nuclear engineering.””

— Professor Michael “Miki” Lustig, KK6MRI

The entry-level course exposes newcomers to ham radio and introduces them to “hacking” and “making,” Lustig explained, while the advanced class “delves into the theoretical applications of digital signal processing, filter design, modulation/demodulation, decoding subcarriers, APRS audio interface techniques, and antenna design.”

Both classes feature hands-on, practical projects that require them to transmit on radio frequencies, so students are motivated, as part of their courses, to become licensed Amateur Radio operators.”

ARRL - http://www.arrl.org/news/uc-berkeley-trains-tests-hundreds-of-new-hams