New UK Ham Radio Guidance

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Ofcom have published a revised version of the document Amateur Radio Licence - Guidance for Licensees 

The document provides useful clarification on a number of aspects of the licence, examples are: 

2.15 says Foundation or Intermediate may use their equipment up to the extent of UK Territorial Seas. This enables operation from Oil and Gas rigs or offshore Wind turbines provided they are within UK Territorial Seas.

2.17 points out that Foundation and Intermediate holders may operate on Internal Waters. These can be quite extensive, examples are the Solent, the Bristol Channel and the Wash. When operating from these waters the optional /M suffix may be used. 

A map showing Internal Water around the UK coast - 
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/
uploads/attachment_data/file/447200/UK_TS_2015_A4.pdf

2.31 notes some CEPT signatory countries allow UK Foundation or Intermediate Licence to operate from their countries.

2.34 addresses the issue of High Altitude Balloons while 2.36 covers Drones. 
Download the Guidance document - 
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/amateur-radio/guidance-for-licensees/Amateur_Radio_Licence_Guidance_for_licensees.pdf

Easier Ham Radio Authorization for Olympics

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To cover the Olympics, during the month of August and September, non-Brazilian Amateur / Ham Radio operators will be able to operate in Brazil, regardless of a reciprocal agreement.

An agreement has been reached with ANATEL, the Brazilian Telecommunications regulator, to allow operations without a fee.

To operate, you must gain authorisation from LABRE, the local society, to gain this, the following must be provided

  • A copy of a valid passport (identification pages)
  • A copy of the applicant's Amateur Radio license
  • A list of cities in which the radio amateur plans to operate and the respective dates
  • An e-mail address

More Information - http://www.arrl.org/news/brazil-eases-authorization-for-radio-amateurs-attending-the-2016-summer-olympics

Ladyada Awarded Ham Radio License

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Limor Fried, aka Ladyada, an electrical engineer and owner of the electronics hobbyist company Adafruit Industries passed all three classes of the Amateur / Ham Radio exams, and now is an Extra Class Amateur.

Adafruit Industries designs and sells open source electronic kits, components, and tools. 

More Information - https://blog.adafruit.com/2016/04/20/congrats-ladyada-ham-license-and-getting-to-amateur-extra-adafruit-arrl-hamradio/