Archivo de la etiqueta: communication

Ofcom are proposing to impose onerous new licence conditions and mandatory guidance on all licensees (not just amateurs) who are able to transmit >10W EIRP, prompted by recent but unjustified 5G concerns etc.

The RSGB EMF consultation response guide says:

However RSGB does not agree with Ofcom’s proposals to implement that principle by adding a major new enforceable condition to Amateur licences. We believe this would be:

1. In breach of statutory general duties
The Communications Act 2003 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 together require that regulations made by Ofcom:
• Must be proportionate, objectively justifiable, and targeted only at cases in which action is needed;
• Must not impose burdens which are unnecessary;
There would also be a danger of double regulation with what is normally a HSE/PHE matter.

2. Not objectively justifiable
• The Amateur licences include a long-standing requirement that safety precautions should be taken against “radio frequency radiation” which is accepted by Public Health England (PHE), and the NRPB before it, as being proportionate to the low levels of risk arising from Amateur Radio activities.

3. Inadequate with respect to the requirement for impact assessments
• The document contains no impact assessment of any kind.

4. Disproportionate and Discriminatory
We emphasise that all impacts upon Amateur Radio will be disproportionate to the related risks of harm.
• They will be extremely disruptive to the Amateur Service and Amateur Satellite Service
• They fall most heavily upon the very large numbers of non-commercial licensed spectrum users many of whom lack the resources to make the assessments demanded.

The RSGB recommends you acknowledge the need for ICNIRP guidelines but to state that the proposals from Ofcom are not proportionate for amateur licensees.

More details on the consultation and the Response Guide to help you with your response along with a copy of the RSGB’s response can be found at
https://www.rsgb.org/emf

Responses must be submitted to Ofcom before the consultations closes on June 12.

Ofcom Consultation PDF: Proposed measures to require compliance with international guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/190003/emf-condoc.pdf

Ofcom Consultation page
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/limiting-exposure-to-emf

AO-73 (FUNcube-1) – Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

After some eight months in continuous sunlight, FUNcube-1 has now started to see some eclipses during each orbit.

The telemetry received has shown that the spacecraft continued to function perfectly during this period and the on board temperatures did not reach excessively high levels.

After this became clear, our next concern was the battery. Having been kept fully charged for this period, would it actually hold a charge and do its job when in eclipse?

After three weeks of increasing eclipse periods we can now see that indeed the Li battery appears to be ok and the bus voltage has not yet dropped below 8.1 volts.

So today we have changed the operating mode from high power telemetry educational mode to continuous amateur mode withe the transponder ON. The telemetry continues to be available, albeit at low power.

We will, of course, continue to carefully monitor the data but are planning to leave the spacecraft in this mode for at least the next week. Please enjoy using it!

Thailand’s regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has issued the special callsign, E2STAYHOME, to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) for use during the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

This is because it is very important for people to boost their immune systems to fight off germs that can enter their bodies and to reduce the chance of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus. Now, it is very important to stay home and to keep a distance of at least one metre from others, if this is possible, which is one way to help prevent the spread of the disease on a global basis.

This is a rare opportunity for ham radio operators who are interested in satellite communications to legally communicate with Thai amateur radio stations by means of the Es’hail-2 or QO-100 geostationary satellite which licensed by the Thai regulator, the NBTC, in response to requests from RAST, and using the special callsign E2STAYHOME on the evenings of each working day in Thailand and on every weekend.

The operating schedule is as follows:
Monday to Friday, 1100 – 1500 UTC
Saturday and Sunday, 0800 – 1500 UTC
all days after 1600 UTC and up to 2200 UTC Thailand has an emergency curfew in place. Please STAY HOME!!

During these times, Thai hams will be operating using this callsign on all bands and in all modes, including all satellite modes under the supervision of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and they will be QRV from today until July 15, 2020. QSOs with E2STAYHOME can be confirmed via Tim W. Tadsri, HS6MYW and QSL cards will be sent to all via the bureau.

73 de HS1JAN
Tanan Rangseeprom

AMSAT Bulletin Board http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

RAST https://www.qsl.net/rast/

5 watt 2400 MHz Amplifier Kit

The AMSAT-UK shop has fresh stocks of the popular 5 watt 2.4 GHz amplifier kit for use with the QO-100 geostationary satellite.

The amplifier was designed by Kurt Moraw DJ0ABR and the kit was implemented by Arved Viehweger M0KDS.

The kit includes a single sided PCB on which is already mounted the PA transistor, there is a suitable heat sink on which to mount the PCB with the provided screws. All electronic components are included as are 2 SMA sockets. Assembly of the kits will require some surface mount components to be soldered to the PCB.

Note: It does not include a case for the unit and a separate 24 volt power supply will be required.

Kit details at https://shop.amsat-uk.org/QO-100_5W_Amplifier_Kit_designed_by_DJ0ABR_and_implemented_by_M0KDS/p3815740_20307881.aspx

Assembled PCB https://shop.amsat-uk.org/product/u-100ampassembled

QO-100 information https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geo/eshail-2/

Radio amateur and Executive Chairman of SSTL, Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO, has recorded a series of home videos from Coronavirus lockdown to record answers to the questions he is most frequently asked.

In this episode he talks about his inspiration for pioneering the original SmallSats revolution and reveals two of his favourite SSTL missions.

Watch Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO – early years & favourite missions

What is Amateur Radio? http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio

Free UK amateur radio online training courses and FAQ that describes how to apply to take the Foundation exam online from your own home
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/april/online-training-for-amateur-radio.htm

AMSAT-UK https://amsat-uk.org/
https://twitter.com/AmsatUK