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 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.
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.