Ofcom Proposes Ham Band for Wi-Fi

Ofcom have just completed a consultation regarding plans to put Wi-Fi across Amateur and Amateur Satellite spectrum in the 5 GHz band

The proposal implies that amateur satellites in 5 GHz only operate in very Low Earth Orbits, which appear inaccurate as radio amateurs have sent 5 GHz payloads into far higher orbits. Examples are the Venus orbiter Unitec-1 which operated on 5.840 MHz and AO-40 which is in a 58,836 km High Earth Orbit (HEO). The 5 GHz band will also be used by the Geosynchronous Phase-4B payload and the HEO Phase-3E satellite both of which are currently under construction.

Ofcom's proposal to use 5725-5850 MHz for Wi-Fi would adversely affect reception of the network of amateur weak-signal propagation beacons
The reason for the move is so Ofcom can allocate bandwidth for home broadband services, including internal Wi-Fi networks.

Many people now have newer broadband routers, which use not only the 2.4 GHz band, but also the 5 GHz band – which offers much more spectrum and can accommodate wide channels suitable for high data rate uses.

To make connections faster, Ofcom is proposing to open up an additional ‘sub-band’ within the 5 GHz frequency range for Wi-Fi – while ensuring protection for other users, such as satellite services.

The extra sub-band would increase the number of 80 MHz channels available for Wi-Fi from four to six, to accommodate data-hungry applications. These extra channels – which are already being used in the United States – could be opened up in around two to three years.

Ofcom 5 GHz consultation - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/5-GHz-Wi-Fi/

The UK Microwave Group loans equipment to get amateurs started on 5.7 GHz - http://www.microwavers.org/6cm-loan-system.htm

UK Amateurs Visit 10 Downing Street

Radio amateurs were invited to a reception at the UK Prime Minister's residence to celebrate the successful mission of UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI / GB1SS

Sandringham school student Jessica Leigh M6LPJ and her head teacher Alan Gray G4DJX attended the event with Tim Peake.

Jessica was the first UK school student to establish amateur radio communications with Tim Peake during his six month mission on the International Space Station. The contact took place on January 8, 2016 and was featured on National TV and in the press.

Year 10 pupil Jessica M6LPJ, along with two other students Polly M6POG and Emma M6GJQ, passed her amateur radio Foundation exam just before Christmas 2015 after training with the Verulam Amateur Radio Club.

Sandringham school caters for 1300 students aged 11-19 with 100 teachers including specialist teachers of computing science and three female physics teachers all of whom have a specialist interest in space and astronomy. In addition, the head teacher Alan Gray G4DJX is a very active radio amateur who was extremely supportive of the ISS contact.

AES Ham Radio Store Closing Down

U.S. amateur radio retailer, Amateur Electronic Supply (AES), has announced that it is ceasing operations as of the end of July, 2016.

The company has four locations retail locations, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Orlando.

In a short statement, the company said “It's with great sadness that I have to tell you that Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) will cease operations at the end of this month (July 2016)”