Ofcom Inquiry About PMR 446 Prosecutions

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In a reply to a Freedom of Information request, Ofcom acknowledged they have never prosecuted a user of PMR 446

Ofcom were asked:

I was wondering if it's possible to give me figures as to how many prosecutions have been made against a person or persons for the specific offence relating to using equipment on the PMR 446 band (446Mhz) against the licencing conditions. I appreciate this is a licence-exempt band, but for example can you tell me if anyone has ever been prosecuted for using the equipment above the permitted .5 Watts or for using an external antenna.

Ofcom replied:

We are not aware of any prosecutions against any person(s) for specific offences relating to using equipment on the PMR 446 band (446Mhz) against the licencing conditions.

See Ofcom's full reply - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/222731/Misuses-of-PMR446-Band-Prosecutions.pdf

Hyderabad Hams Develop Low Cost Transverter for QO-100 Satellite

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Hyderabad Hams Develop Low Cost Transverter for QO-100 Satellite

Radio amateurs in Hyderabad have developed low-cost equipment to communicate via the geostationary satellite QO-100 amateur transponder

A group of Radio Amateurs in the city are literally making waves after they succeeded in indigenously designing and testing low-cost equipment that could help the Hams communicate via QO-100 geo-synchronous satellite.

In what is certain to be a game changer for the radio amateur community, five Hyderabad-based Ham operators have made prototypes of down and up converters for the QO-100 satellite. Use of this equipment, would enable any Ham operator in practicing satellite communication, which hitherto would have forced them to invest heavy amounts.

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ARRL Make Online RF Exposure Calculator Available

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ARRL Make Online RF Exposure Calculator Available

The ARRL have made an online RF exposure (EMF) calculator available for all amateurs to use

The FCC has adopted guidelines and procedures for evaluating the environmental effects of RF emissions. Under the new FCC rules, some amateurs need to perform routine station evaluations to ensure that their stations comply with the RF exposure rules. This can be as simple as running an online calculator to determine the minimum safe distance between any part of your antenna and areas where people might be exposed to RF energy from your station. Although amateurs can make measurements of their stations, evaluations can also be done by calculation.

The FCC guidelines already incorporate two tiers of exposure limits based on whether exposure occurs in an occupational or “controlled” situation, or whether the general population is exposed or exposure is in an “uncontrolled” situation.

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