Events mentioned here may be affected by fluctuating pandemic precautions. Please continue to observe all national or local restrictions that are in place. Today’s news has been compiled from information sent to radcom@rsgb.org.uk. If your club or event is not mentioned, please make sure you send details in good time for the 10am Thursday deadline. […]
Events mentioned here may be affected by fluctuating pandemic precautions. Please continue to observe all national or local restrictions that are in place. Braintree and District Amateur Radio Society has its net on Sundays from 8pm on 145.375MHz. For programme details see badars.co.uk. South Essex Amateur Radio Society has a daily net at 4pm on […]
WHAT IS THE JAMBOREE-ON-THE-AIR (JOTA)?
As shared by JOTA/JOTI Jamboree:The JOTA is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world connect with each other by means of amateur radio. Short-wave radio signals carry their voices to …
Day four of the Virtual General Conference opened with the final meeting of Committee C4 (HF).
Most of the meetings involved papers relating to band planning issues on the HF bands. Appointments were also considered and agreed for forwarding to …
IARU has been engaged with the European Commission Published Initiative on “Electromagnetic Compatibility — evaluation of the EU Rules” since its announcement in February 2020.
This initiative has now reached the Published Consultation phase which provides an opportunity for individuals and others to …
The Region 1 Virtual General Conference continued today with three more sessions. The day started with a joint meeting of the Political Relations Committee (PRC) and the Spectrum and Regulatory Affairs Committee (SRLC). Between them, these two committees steer the …
The second full day of the Virtual General Conference opened with the first meeting of Committee C4 (HF). The meeting began with a review of the reports from the Committee Chair, the HF Beacon coordinator and the IARUMS coordinator. Discussions …
IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, formally opened the Region 1 VGC today.
Speaking from Calgary, Tim reminded delegates that we faced unprecedented challenges today, which would likely result in much more of IARU’s work being virtual. He reminded the meeting …
Ofcom is introducing new licence conditions for spectrum users, to ensure their equipment continues to operate within international electromagnetic field (EMF) guidelines.
All use of spectrum generates electromagnetic fields.
There are international safety guidelines – developed by the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) – that set the maximum levels of EMF exposure for protection of the general public. These levels are endorsed by Public Health England.
Manufacturers, installers and operators of wireless equipment should already be aware of the ICNIRP guidelines and factor them into how they plan their services.
To ensure this always remains the case, we proposed new conditions for spectrum licensees earlier this year. Following consultation, we have now decided to introduce the new licence conditions.
This means licensees using equipment that is authorised to transmit at power levels higher than 10 Watts must operate within the ICNIRP guidelines as a condition of their Ofcom licence – including keeping data and records of any testing to demonstrate their compliance.
NEW ONLINE TOOL
While most spectrum licensees should already be factoring the ICNIRP guidelines into their services, we will be launching an online tool (our EMF calculator) to help make it as simple as possible for people to check whether the use of their radio equipment is likely to comply with the guidelines. This will be available on a trial basis initially and we will take account of the feedback we receive before launching the full version.
NEXT STEPS
Alongside our decision to introduce the new licence condition, we have published a consultation covering the updated wording of the condition; our updated Guidance on EMF Compliance and Enforcement; and a trial version of our new online EMF Calculator. We welcome feedback to this by 16 November, after which we will then begin varying the relevant licences to include the new condition. We will also launch our finalised online EMF calculator
Colin M6BOY
Ofcom received 400 responses to their EMF consultation, 255 of which were from radio amateurs. Ofcom has addressed some respondent’s concerns, revised their proposals, and requested feedback. The RSGB will reply to Ofcom’s revised proposals and keep you updated on rsgb.org/emf. Ofcom intends to add a condition to all licences that allow more than 10W […]
