Ofcom to Add EMF Clause to Ham Radio Licences
/Ofcom have decided to go ahead with their plans to introduce an unnecessary EMF clause into the amateur radio licenCe. It will be inplace no later than May 18 and there will be at least a 6 month grace period to comply
Among the consultation, respondents quoted in Ofcom's announcement was RAYNET UK.
““RAYNET-UK - a national voluntary communications service provided by amateur licensees - also commented on training aspects; it said that training activities may be ‘no notice’ activities to provide the best training experience but the relatively narrow scope of Ofcom’s exemption for emergency situations may limit these activities. Michael White also commented on the impact on RAYNET’s activities, saying that emergency deployment by RAYNET on behalf of Category 1 responders would be more problematic, thus reducing the resilience capabilities and contributions of radio amateurs.””
RAYNET UK also pointed out that Ofcom's proposed definition of the general public is overly restrictive in that it only accounts for a single licensee or operator responsible for the transmitter. It asked who would be considered as the licensee in scenarios where there are multiple operator stations, and whether an ‘off duty’ operator in the vicinity would be defined as a member of the general public when they do not have a microphone in their hand.
“We further recognise that appropriate training for amateur licensees provided by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) can help licensees ensure members of their household are not exposed to EMF in breach of the ICNIRP general public limits. We will encourage RSGB to update their training to include the most relevant and effective ways (identified in our “Guidance on EMF Compliance and Enforcement”) in which amateurs can comply with the EMF condition as well as training on our Additional Guidance for Radio Amateurs (which we will publish a draft version of shortly). Such training should not be treated as a one-off tick-box exercise”
It is likely that a revised syllabus and textbooks for the RSGB amateur radio exams to incorporate the new EMF requirements will be required at some point later this year.
Ofcom acknowledges their EMF Calculator Tool will in most cases overestimate the separation distance and in addition it is not suitable for use below 10 MHz.
“We expect to publish our final decision in relation to the variation of affected licences no later than 18 May 2021. Where we decide to vary licences to include the EMF condition, licensees will then have six months to ensure their EMF compliance records are in place and up-to-date (which is extended to 12 months in relation to equipment which operates at frequencies below 10 MHz). We may decide to extend these deadlines for compliance if there are ongoing travel restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and will publish an update on our website if we do decide to extend these deadlines.
Following the conclusion of the licence variation process, we also intend to include the EMF licence condition in all new licences in the affected licence classes. The EMF condition will apply immediately to any licences that are issued and include the new EMF condition. Whilst the licence variation process is ongoing, we will still accept new licence applications and issue new licences.”
Implementation of measures to require compliance with international guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/214663/emf-implementation-update.pdf
