Review of UHF spectrum at 410-470 MHz

Ofcom has published a statement following a strategic review of the 410 - 470 MHz spectrum band (UHF Band 1 and Band 2) 
 
Users of this band include business radio, the emergency services and utilities, among others. With potential new users also wanting to make use of these frequencies, demand is increasing.
 
This statement sets out our spectrum management strategy to address the future needs of current and new users in UHF Band 1 and Band 2.
 
Our decisions include a number of changes to the Business Radio technical frequency assignment criteria, and the addition of new UHF channels to the Business Radio Simple UK and Simple Site licences. These changes are designed to create a framework for managing this spectrum for the next ten years.
 
Today’s statement also confirms Ofcom’s decision to maintain the existing band configuration for UHF 2, and not to seek to align it with the configuration used in continental Europe.
 
Download the Statement -  
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/strategic-review-of-uhf-band-1-and-band-2
 

Radio Ham Saved Guns n' Roses Gig

A radio amateur saved the day when Guns n' Roses played Slane in '92 is remembered as the famous American Band took to the stage 25 years later.
 
On that occasion, just before the famous rockers took to the stage catastrophe struck when the sound system went down.
 
The blushes of Lord Henry Mountcharles, Axl Rose and his troupe were saved by a genius farmer from Kilmore between Summerhill and Dunboyne.
 
Noel Doherty [EI4HXB], a two-way radio enthusiast, farmed a 50 acre holding at Kilmore House. When the techies at Slane failed to reboot the silent sound system Noel was sent for and a Garda escort whisked him to Lord Henry's amphitheatre.
 
With little fuss and maximum efficiency he had everything up and running in minutes. 
 
Media Story - http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/agri-business/property/how-a-genius-farmer-saved-the-day-the-last-time-guns-n-roses-played-slane-35742516.html
 
On his blog EI5IX records that Noel Doherty EI4HXB of Kilmore passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2016. Noel had a lifelong interest in amateur radio and in recent times secured his callsign. 
 
He was regular attendee at Dublin's Coolmine Rally throughout the years - http://ei5ix.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/silent-key-noel-ei4hxb.html

Fire Department Installs Shortwave Antenna

Gun Barrel City Fire Department in Texas, USA and the Cedar Creek Amateur (ham) Radio Club have teamed up to create backup communications in cases when storms take out electrical power, damages cellular phone networks, and even renders Internet and landlines useless.
 
A couple of years ago, the local Amateur/Ham Radio club installed a basic radio with a range of 15 miles as part of the Emergency Operations Center the fire department maintains to coordinate communication in the area. That range meets most local needs.
 
However, the tornadoes which struck the area in late April (not to mention hurricanes Ike and Katrina) have demonstrated the need to communicate beyond the local area. 
 
Working with Fire Chief Joseph Lindaman, the club has installed just such a station that can reach out to metropolitan centers outside of the local area. “It is just another layer of protection for area residents,” radio operator Ed Busch said.
 
Full article - http://themonitor.net/blog2/2017/06/02/fire-department-installs-shortwave-antenna/