Consultation Which Seeks to Simplify the Licensing of Amateur Radio Visitors to the UK

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Consultation Which Seeks to Simplify the Licensing of Amateur Radio Visitors to the UK

Ofcom has announced a consultation which seeks to simplify the licensing of amateur radio visitors to the UK from a specified list of countries. The consultation also covers the proposed simplification of other wireless equipment usage. Ofcom says: “We propose to introduce a new licence exemption for short-term use of radio amateur equipment by radio amateurs visiting from countries that are not covered by the CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01, but with whom the UK has a bilateral reciprocal agreement.” The deadline for responses to the consultation is 5pm on 28 March 2025. You can read the consultation document on the Ofcom website.

Have you revalidated your licence recently? Ofcom requires that radio amateurs revalidate their licence at least every five years, although confirming annually is recommended. More information on the process can be found on the RSGB website. This web page provides further information on the process, a link to the Ofcom portal, as well as a handy video guide on the process from Ofcom. Make sure you keep your details up-to-date, and add a diary reminder to renew each year.

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RSGB Response to Ofcom Consultation concerning the 2.3GHz band

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The RSGB has responded to a recent Ofcom Consultation which would see new users sharing spectrum within the 2.3GHz amateur band. Whilst the new devices may be limited to indoor use, the RSGB has taken the opportunity to highlight concerns regarding the weak signal 2320MHz segment. In addition, the RSGB has also indicated its wish to review the current restrictions that apply to this band that date back to 2013, when it was subject to Public Sector Spectrum Release.

More Information - https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/gb2rs-news-scripts/2024/09/27/gb2rs-news-script-for-29-september-2024/

Class Licence Structure Arriving in Australia

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From February, hams in Australia who previously held an apparatus licence will become holders of the new class licence.

The Australian regulator has sent letters to hams announcing that the transition to the new class licence structure takes effect on the 19th of February. The letter permits hams with valid apparatus licences to continue operating under the same band and licence conditions as before and assures hams who renewed the apparatus licence after the 9th of December that they are eligible for a pro-rated refund if they surrender the apparatus licence on or after the 19th of February.

The ACMA plans to check every five years that assigned callsigns are still being used as authorised. Calls with a one-year expiry, such as special event callsigns, and those calls with a VK0 or VK9 prefix, will receive additional instructions in February regarding either renewals or expirations.

These changes, which the regulator announce last year, also mean that there are no fees for the licences. The ACMA will also take oversight of the administration of amateur radio licence exams and callsign issuance previously delegated to the Australian Maritime College.