Ham Radio Gossip

Got some UK amateur radio gossip to share with the community? Submit it anonymously here: tinyurl.com/mujmncsa - and we’ll pass it on…

It appears that @thersgb is about to kill off what’s left of club training. No consultation. This doesn’t show a huge amount of respect for the volunteers who’ve been the backbone of bringing new amateurs into the fold for many years. Will the savings be passed on to students?

Leaked resignation letter from member of RSGB exam team reveals that the group is “fundamentally flawed”, “self-indulgent and defensive” with trick questions “probably constituting fraud” on candidates who have paid to take exams.

Just 24 days after the AGM, and the society is already down one director. #Boardwatch

@gordonhudsonnu @theRSGB If they’re as worries as they should be, they might realise that sitting around strategising with post-its isn’t enough, and that some action is needed.

@HamGoss @theRSGB That's my expectation, but they may surprise us.

Watching @theRSGB AGM. Losses of £120,000 in 2023 and even more prices increases expected next year to cover the losses. Worrying?

@gordonhudsonnu @theRSGB Certainly, and we’ll know in 3 months whether the establishment gets to the newcomers, or the shift of balance brings about a desire for actual change. Historically, newcomers with opinions don’t last long and Sir Humphrey and Sir Arnold remain.

@HamGoss @theRSGB Desire for change can easily be quashed by a minority on a board. As Sir Humphrey said to Jim Hacker "that's very brave of you, Minister".

@gordonhudsonnu @theRSGB Today’s changes will be interesting, and the additions/returns have potential to shift the balance of power to allow focus towards a common goal. The first 3 months will be interesting. Desire for change, or the status quo?

@HamGoss @theRSGB Boards tend to have dominant voices. It can be an intimidating environment for new directors unless there is a good chair.

@gordonhudsonnu @theRSGB The AGM didn’t convince me that there is a solid plan in place to resolve the problem - short of more price increases. There’s a tipping point after which members will walk. Today’s change in the “balance of power” will be interesting!

@HamGoss @theRSGB Most organisations I am involved with "managed through" last year, but are expecting this year to be very bad. Salary increases, inflation etc.

Looking for a new career? Consider a job at Ofcom! Those with a good sense of humour - click here for a video: youtu.be/4oSPGBuIke8?si…

@AKAhamradio Two online sites debunk this - they cite the following directive:

@HamGoss No not rocket science just see the attached extract in black-and-white from the 2002 Foundation Licence BR68F. "4(1) The Licensee shall only use transmitting equipment conforming to EC standards or commercially available kits transmitting inside amateur bands only." 🚀

The new licence makes interesting reading. Section 17 imposes a 5 watt erp limit on data stations. That’s gonna upset FT8 fans! This new and rather odd restriction seems to be the only major down side. @ofcom @theRSGB

@AKAhamradio Another screenshot from the announcement, in case you missed it

@HamGoss Read previous licences - building/use of TX kits has always been permitted. What's different now is Foundation are no longer restricted to commercially available TX kits. They can just use a circuit diagram & source their own components, or completely design their own circuit

@AKAhamradio Have a look at yesterday’s announcement and the consultation. This is now allowed, so it follows that it wasn’t allowed previously. Pretty clear!

@HamGoss 1/2 No, do you see the power of myths when they spread, people get confused don't know what to believe. Ever since January 2002 Foundation have been allowed to build and use commercially available Transmitter and Transceiver kits. See wording of 2002 BR68F and subsequent licences

@AKAhamradio But Foundation did have that restriction on building TX kit. Check the consultation and today’s announcement - Ofcom has reversed this and transmitter building is now allowed.

@HamGoss 2/2 It's how myths start. Under old licence you'd get ppl falsely claiming Foundation were banned from building Transmitter/Transceiver kits and weren't allowed to operate while sailing around UK, or Full couldn't allow an unlicenced person to hold a microphone/PTT - all False

@AKAhamradio You’re making the mistake of assuming “and may” (optional addition) means that same as “which can only”. If your interpretation was correct, this would say “may be used as a Data Station that can be operated by others”. You see the difference?

@HamGoss 1/2 The licence T&C wording is correct it means the restrictions only apply to third-party usage of your Gateway/Data/Repeater station. Someone asked a reasonable question but others, without waiting to see answer, went around pronouncing high-power data banned, maybe for a laugh

@AKAhamradio If I use a car and that car “may be used by others”, that still means I can use that car. “And may” is clearly an optional variant.

@HamGoss Clause 17 restrictions do not apply to personal station operation e.g. FT8 QSOs. The restrictions listed in 17(a) to 17(f) only apply to this part of this clause "and may be operated (but not controlled) by other radio amateurs without supervision, providing that the Licensee:"

@_D_Drago @andy_rite @Ofcom @theRSGB So you don’t think that FT8 fits this definition, but APRS does? What about slow scan, RTTY or WSPR? Do you believe those involve sending or receiving data?

@HamGoss @andy_rite @Ofcom @theRSGB FT8 is a data mode they are looking here at data stations, the guidance is what ofcom has published to help interpret the licence. Think they would know

@_D_Drago @andy_rite @Ofcom @theRSGB Doesn’t matter what the guidance says. The wording of the licence is what we have to abide by. The wording about 5w is clear, and like it or not, FT8 is a valid data mode, as is packet and APRS.

@HamGoss @andy_rite @Ofcom @theRSGB Read the guidance it’s for aprs, mesh network links etc not ft8

@AKAhamradio I am going by the licence wording. An FT8 user can use their station for data (and allow access to others). But 17a caps this to 5 watts ERP. Here’s the exact wording:

@HamGoss No it doesn’t you can run 1kW with FT8. Think this unfounded rumour started on G-QRP groups io email list. Someone asked if clause 17 meant what they thought, reasonable enough to post a question if something doesn’t look quite right to U Read thread, 2 ppl provided correction

@andy_rite @Ofcom @theRSGB Nope. Here’s the definition provided by Ofcom

@HamGoss @Ofcom @theRSGB Pretty sure that’s packet radio.