NEW UK 2024 HAM RADIO LICENCE - FINAL DRAFT

[@ronjoseph7973]

What we don’t need is more amplifiers >500 watts. Most US operators, especially in the Southern States, misuse amplifiers to the point of spattering all over adjacent frequencies because they are not satisfied useless they are +20 over S9. More power isn’t a solution to a poor antenna system. The difference between 500 watts and 1000 is 3 dB or half a S unit. It made sense in the days of AM only, but with the bands as crowded as they are, misuse of amplifiers add to the existing congestion, QRM, and RFI issues.

[@watersstanton]

Fair comment. BTW , doubling the power is 3dB. Half an S-point

[@sharonjuniorchess]

I remembers some years back having just entered the hobby attending a local club meeting and meeting the President of the RSGB. He was particularly interested in finding out what new members thought about the hobby. One of the biggest obstacles that I felt was hindering it was making radio more accessible to younger members and organisations like Scouts & Cadets in getting some practical experience in operating a radio under a licensed members supervision and to actually build and test radios. Shortly after that major changes were made to the syllabus to reflect the importance of both analogue & digital which reflects a more modern approach to amateur radio that should also appeal. I think a lot of people have worked really hard to achieve these changes in both the RSGB & Ofcom and now it is up to us to promote our hobby and enthuse & attract new and younger members to it.

[@DavidWood2]

2:45 Ofcom states in paragraph 3.66 of the January 2024 statement that they are not changing the current policy that pre-WWII callsigns (two letter suffixes and G2 calls) can only be reissued to a previous holder.

[@kenm0bqh163]

Would benefit operators more if they upgraded their existing Antennas instead of splashing out big money on amplifiers to gain just an extra S-Point and pushing their electricity bill up every time they keyed up on the microphone, Makes more sense to set a radio station up properly at the beginning

[@watersstanton]

......although some will spend lots of money on a tower, rotator and Yagi to obtain about the same gain. But I agree the antenna is probably the most important aspect of station efficiency.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

@@watersstanton also along with decent coax & plugs to suit, i personally use M&P ultraflex 10 and evolution plugs,likewise a friend of mine in a built up area ,he now gets 2 S points more over rg213 and old style pl259s, its all about balance buy THE very best coax you can afford along with the correct plugs, then when you can upgrade your antenna(if you so desire) like the old saying "you reap what you sow"

[@madcarew5168]

Tried to have a wade through this morning,got those points you bring up and 2e0 in M8/9....then faded...bound to be dozens of vids to watch on it!!

[@Volcano-Man]

I served in HMF and one day I demonstrated to a group of Royal Signals Officers that instead of using the 300 plus watts on A1A they all pushed out, what 10 watts A1A did. From a QTH 'somewhere in the UK' I held a QSO with another amateur in ZL on 80 metres, and I have the QSL card to prove the 35 minute QSO happened. Lets say they didn't really inderstand propogation.

[@watersstanton]

Interesting info. Great to hear from you. 73 Peter.

[@Volcano-Man]

@@watersstanton Trouble was a lot had no actual experience of actually using a radio, let alone how it worked. One didn't believe me when I mentioned skip distance and grey l8ne propagation - until I proved it.

[@Steven.Cartwright]

Fall into a coma half way through it LOL made me laugh that part lol

[@watersstanton]

Ha Ha.

[@robjackson41]

Extra power is no good if you can't hear stations due to qrm. A significant change would have been to ban tech which interferes with reception.

[@Roger_Stenning]

That would likely require either a specific SI under the WTA'68, or changes to the primary legislation itself (WTA'68), rather than a change in AmRad licence regs.

[@flyingchilders]

Most of the changes are fine, but not having to use a country identifier is crazy, there are 7 DXCC entities within the British Isles, G, GM,GW,GI,GU,GJ and GD. This proposal is really confuse the rest of the worlds DXers

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Yes. If GE is introduced, that makes x8. Then, remove the RSL and you have 8x2=16 possible prefixes for the UK. This is just the G's - there is also all the M's and 2's to factor in plus various club and special event prefixes.

[@zaperfan]

You will now see the operators that have been using 1kw for the last 10 years or more buying 2.5kw amps lol

[@jochenkrebs9685]

They don't have to buy them, they already have LoL

[@Alan2E0KVRKing]

The only thing I'm not happy about, is losing a callsign, I use both my callsigns which I sat exams for and earned on a regular basis, I would like to keep the M6 call with the benefits of the 2E0 but that will not be allowed!

[@watersstanton]

I have not read all the "small print" but maybe you can reapply for it after 5 years!!

[@Alan2E0KVRKing]

Yes, I think that's what going to happen, hopefully I can request a M8/M9 call instead of the 2E0.@@adamap2796

[@ethzero]

As someone studying via the EssexHam and other materials it's of course very very fun _and not at all a complete arse ache_ learning the now partially obsolete syllabus for paasing exam while also learning the new changes but having to mentally shelve them 🤦 Three major areas are: allowed output power (exam answer, mostly 10 W; Reality mostly 25 W); Callsigns: RSL are now optional (except for 2En); And instead of absolutely no airborne transmissions of aby kind some limited atuff is now allowed. FUN. Thanks, RSGB & OfCom 👍

[@ethzero]

Once I've passed the Foundation licence I'll cetainly be visiting W&S/Moonraker for some new kit! 73.

[@watersstanton]

Look forward to seeing you.

[@burnettmurray209]

I'm a tad confused now on the prefix Peter? G GB ? XYZ? And do we HAVE to use it?

[@watersstanton]

You don’t HAVE. to change. It’s up to you.

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Hi Peter. Help Please. Returned back to the Hobby as now retired with more time etc. But no local clubs, All the local Hams are either silent key or given the Hobby up. Been listening on VHF and 70cm calling freq and also the Local Repeaters. 7 days heard absolutely nothing. Checked online some say Corby Repeaters operational others say they are not. Using Handheld and Mobile radio. Cts set up correctly and shift etc. Cheers from G1BKI but known as George on KZbin.

[@la7dfa]

Download Repeaterbook or check their website. Do you live on Rockall, since there are no local hams? :)

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

​@@la7dfaone of the repeaters hasn't been working for 5 years. The other one run by xxxx isn't listed on the database. So I have contacted the RSGB.

[@munkeh365]

Kettering and Market Harborough are hardly a long journey away. But most "club like" gathering is mostly done online. Social media and the like. Has particularly been since Covid. Youngsters and newly licenced were never made to feel welcome at clubs (see some of the comments here about cornflake packets and the like). So those left were mostly older people, my age and older, who were scared of getting Covid and haven't returned. Shame. I'd love to start a club and ban anyone who acts like that. Open minded members welcome.

[@brian.7966]

can`t see the point of them giving us 1kw, I think this will cause even more trouble. as for the rest of the clan getting more power oh dear oh dear.

[@michelsinnott]

Certainly interesting for us in 3B8 hope our authority has a read of this.

[@mu0chn]

I would like to keep my 2 licenses going. I don't know why they are against it. I will still keep using U in my Callsign, mabe Ofcom don't think people are bothered about the DXCC.

[@Roddy1965]

Get one free one in Canada, pay for another (once), if available. They expire after about 100yrs (unless proof of death shown). No recurring fees, ever.

[@adamap2796]

You can keep using your RSL, it just becomes optional. Not sure why you need two callsigns though 🤔

[@Roddy1965]

@@adamap2796 Each country has different 'issues' with call signs. In large population provinces like Ontario, Quebec, BC, most 2 letter suffixes in the general Canadian V[E,A,O,Y]#aaa format are already taken. We don't call it a 'license' here, but essentially the same. Anyway, the 'license' for your call sign is for life, takes something like 120 years to expire unless you can prove the person died, and the get that call. So, the good two letter suffixes are, as I said, harder to get in some places. You may be working DXCC on your 'old' three letter suffix, and you want a 2 letter suffix for contests, or get that 2 letter suffix call from a SK relative.

[@adamap2796]

@@Roddy1965 Nice, but anyone only needs one callsign !

[@Roddy1965]

@@adamap2796Yes. Needs and wants, different. Canada is awesome. ; )

[@andrewgrillet5835]

My understanding was ERP is power leaving the antenna, not power entering it. Am I wrong?

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Yes, erp (effective radiated power), is power leaving the antenna. Usually, with respect to a dipole. Therefore, expect a beam antenna fed with 100W PEP to have a higher erp than a dipole fed with 100W PEP. However, for most of the bands, on current UK license, the power limits are given as, Maximum Peak Envelope Power (PEP) level in Watts. Only a few bands specify limits as erp or eirp. The problem is how do you measure this without a load of expensive test gear? So, common approach is to assume antenna is 100% efficient and the input power at antenna feedpoint is what is radiated. In reality of course no antenna is 100% efficient. Therefore it is reasonable to assume if you put 200W PEP into a co-ax feedline with 3dB loss, only 100W is left at antenna feedpont and no more than 100W PEP is radiated. So, if the PEP limit for that band is 100W, you are within your license terms.

[@watersstanton]

If you listen again carefully you will hear that a few seconds later I corrected my self and said not ERP, but power delivered to the antenna.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

​@@Steve-GM0HUUsurely an antenna with say ~1.5db gain antenna presented with 25W at the feedpoint after a 3dB feed line will effectively radiate 35W meaning you're outside your licence terms if operating on a foundation licence (new terms) no?

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

@@lmaoroflcopter Yes, I think this is correct but only when the limit is specified as e.r p. Looking at the Foundation License, only a few of the bands have limits specified as e.r.p. For most of the bands, like 160m to 2m, it is simply maximum PEP power. Therefore, you don't have to worry about antenna gain. So, on 10m you can have 10W PEP at the antenna feedpoint regardless of the antenna gain. However, say on 70cm, 10W is the maximum you could feed to a dipole. If you had a 70cm beam with 12dBd gain, maximum you could feed at antenna would be 0.63W PEP. If your feeder loss was 1.5dB, this would be 2W out at the transmitter end.

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

I’m going for my foundation license any tips please

[@bazzadebear8012]

Can't see why we need to run 1000wats. I'm sure the people next door will love you LOL.

[@watersstanton]

Some hams probably do on occasions. It just makes it legal!

[@MENSA.lady2]

It's location that matters. As ZC4MO on top of mount Olympus 6400 feet up I could work the world with just 100 watts.

[@watersstanton]

Yes, but its the sloping ground rather than the absolute height that gives the real gain.

[@Team-fabulous]

As Ofcom have now published their changes for amateur radio licenses I am still a tad confused.. I have an intermediate license (2I0) and I believe I have the option to change to a M8 or M9 call and enjoy the advantages of this. However if I decide to keep my intermediate call am I restricted to its terms and conditions? IE.. Am I restricted to 50 watts...?

[@watersstanton]

Intermediate is now 100W.

[@mully89]

I am a 2E0, looking forward to a easier callsign and maybe I need a new radio, I only have a Xiegu G90, the extra 2+dB might make all the difference 👍

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. The G90 is a superb radio. I have one myself.

[@la7dfa]

A bit confusing with a G prefix in GM. Now we soon will have the USA & French prefix mess everywhere. Good we have computers and Clublog.

[@watersstanton]

I agree. Why would you ever want to drop "GM" which is a DXCC Country!

[@1967deek]

I was hoping for 5000 watts😁

[@uslines]

Do I hear 10000 watts? Going once, going twice....

[@2E0ILFhamradio]

Hi buddy 2e0ilf if im to move to an m9 callsign would my intermediate log be defunct in its current for and if not will companies like qrz and the like be able to continue our logs in the current format i am clise to several awards thats taken me 5 years to get near i would hate to have to lose all that work?

[@watersstanton]

The first menu item is a level control which lets you adjust spectrum display levels

[@jochenkrebs9685]

Oh I like that, then the splatter will be even better. 1kw+ and 4 or more Khz bandwidth in ssb. Everyone does what they want and who still sticks to the rules.

[@TR6Telos]

Less chance now of 100watts or less getting through I guess.

[@watersstanton]

The power increase is little more than half an S-point. It probably makes a good few stations legal now!

[@philbodden4981]

Greetings from the Cayman Islands, de ZF1PB

[@watersstanton]

Wow a new Country for me! Nice to hear from you.

[@sandybottom6623]

VK is changing. Class licenses from 2024. No renewal fee.

[@watersstanton]

It’s called progress! Although the government collection cost was probably part of the reason!

[@YllaStar95970]

I welcome these advancements, however having seen creators experience high noise floors in residential areas, l feel 1000w may bring clashes.

[@ronjoseph7973]

My sentiments exactly. It’s a mess here in the States especially on 80 and 40 meters where the operators try to out do each other running legal limit of 1500 watts all the time regardless of propagation.

[@southyorkshireghosthunters]

You did not mention repeaters & links whats happening with them

[@watersstanton]

There is a link below the Video giving you all 105 pages. I am sure it is covered.

[@CriticalThinker-42]

Glad to hear your getting your power levels increased! I hope that includes 160m where its currently anorexic. 73 mike

[@DavidWood2]

Despite the RSGB's request that the power limit on 1850-2000kHz be raised because the original reason for imposing this restriction no longer exists, it remains at 32W PEP in the final draft.

[@cyrilunsworth3195]

Once again it turns a hobby into a rich mans hobby. I think it will lead to many people hanging up the head phones and going digital. (Echolink etc)

[@watersstanton]

Well it hasn't had that affect in the USA with even bigger Amps!

[@ianharling9569]

It's not mandatory to run more power.I have never needed to run more than 100 Watts and have worked the world. 73.G7HFS/PA3IKH

[@adamap2796]

What makes you say that ? Most modern cars do easily more than 70mph but drivers don’t give up driving 🤔

[@keithpetherick3425]

Interference that I am troubled by comes from computers, wall transformers, even mice, boilers, vsdl etc etc. I am not bothered by other hams. It makes me laugh when people and authorities are so neurotic about radio hams might cause radio interference !! I am pretty sure that most licenced hams do their best to avoid causing interference; no matter what power they are running and no matter which licence stage they belong to.

[@jaimz33]

I've just bought my first hf at 10 watt, nominal 15. If only I'd known I would have waited.

[@simonmw0nwm13]

How did you not know? OFCOM put out a consultation document t which detailed the proposed power increase way back in the summer. However you can still work plenty at 10W.

[@jaimz33]

@@simonmw0nwm13 I was recovering from encephalitis which obliterated my memory. I'm like a newbie again learning everything over. It took me a month to write a code plug for my local repeater. It's still not a 100% but I'm getting there.

[@adamap2796]

@neurotechUK comment like yours are the reason Ham Radio is dying !!!!

[@adamap2796]

@neurotechUK what would be the perfect Ofcom licensing arrangement to make you a happy man (or women) come to that ?

[@M7BCN]

The biggest bonus for me is being able to operate remotely and building a kit that I can put on the air. The increase from 10-25w doesn’t really bother me, an extra 4.5db won’t make a big difference but it makes sense as many vhf/uhf radios are 5/15 and 25w. The new intermediate callsign structure will also encourage me to progress, I didn’t like the 2e. M7BCN

[@watersstanton]

Yes the 2E seemed a bit out if step with the basic licence structure.

[@johnorrells3797]

We will have to learn Italian

[@watersstanton]

Nice one.

[@davidwalle5025]

Good video peter you are very knowledgeable

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks.

[@Zerkbern]

Do they spell license differently in the UK?

[@mikeg1zrn896]

No, we spell it correctly.

[@watersstanton]

In the UK license is a verb. Licence is a noun.

[@nickaxe771]

Needs to be easier to get a full licence. My knowledge of the inner working of electronic component's lets me down on the exam......but I dont want to build my own transmitter. You cant repair modern radio without factory test equip. I am a 2E0 and hate it.....yes I have a full VHF aircraft licence that I am trusted to talk to licenced air traffic controllers.

[@julianhemming2105]

Absolutely must not diminish the full licence standard. Yes it can be a challenge but the achievement makes the effort worthwhile.

[@birdy7925]

No it doesn't need to be easier and it should never have been made easier. Dropping the City and Guild qualification was a big mistake, you could get a job with it.

[@nickaxe771]

I get the feeling you having a go Sir.....if what your saying is correct.....should Ofcom ne be taking my intermediate licence from me.....as I was never really worthy of having it. I had a 95 year old buddie...a G3 licensed 1960.....he was disgusted when I failed my full exam...asked could I lend him the full exam work but....he said after reading it....my god....I would not have a cat in hells chance of getting a full licence now.....what on earth do they want you to know that stuff for. Now being positive....maybe a separate qualification if you want to build you own transmitter.....I dont think I know anybody that has any interest in doing that..... I know there are still guys around who resent us amateurs who cant use CW.....but things moved on. @@adamap2796

[@DavidWood2]

@@birdy7925 IIRC, City and Guilds indicated that they no longer wanted to run the RAE and NRAE, leaving little alternative to an amateur-run exam (which, unsurprisingly, developed under the auspices of the RSGB).

[@WHNorthcote]

The foundation licence holders and full licence holders will gain 2 1/2 times power. Foundation from 10 to 25 and full from 400 to 1000. Not bad. Intermediate though only gets a double from 50 to 100. Seems a bit unfair for the intermediates though. Surely a same increase would be 125W output instead of 100W. But I guess there is a method somewhere for this.

[@watersstanton]

In reality, an increase from 100W to 125 would have no noticeable difference at the receiver end. However, I take your point.

[@lmaoroflcopter]

50 to 100 is near pointless its what? Half an S point increase? I've not felt the need to go for my full because of it. Getting it as a freebie though just means I'll be happy sitting on Intermediate for sure. I've no need for 1kW at the moment nor the QTH to support the space required by OFCOM for that power output. Only major attractors to me was remote station operation - now available for Foundation and up in new licence scheme. Applying for an NoV for special events, etc.

[@brian.7966]

instead of sending 3 cornflake packet tops it will end up only sending 2...

[@garysmith4425]

Deregulate now.

[@birdy7925]

Tesco are going to take over the issuing of amateur radio licenses. Spend over a £100 in store and get a free licence.

[@chris_hayes]

If they start selling kit, I might want to go! 😂 2e0xch.

[@mollyfilms]

And 200 club points to redeem at Xmas!

[@W-733_KWX]

Wait a couple years, then you'll get a free starter rig together with your license.

[@patjones8598]

@@W-733_KWX only if they can still bring in cheap transceivers from china

[@MrKinglory]

Every kW elps

[@tonypoloney8721]

25 watts is not enough for foundation level. It should be 50 watts to attract new hams. 25 watts compared to 100 and 1000 is disproportionate in the extreme. I will no longer use my hf radio in protest. SWL, DMR and CB is more attractive.

[@pauls8456]

mmm... try varying your transmit power between 25W and 50W on air - there is almost no difference - a half to 1 S point on the receiver...

[@W-733_KWX]

There must be some motivation for those who want to step from the foundation level to next level. After all, 25 to 100W is s8 to s9 on a s-meter. Most of the contacts that can be done at a 100 can also be done at 25W. As usual with humans, the more they are allowed the more they want. There must be a line somewhere. If someone is not motivated with 25W, then they should find themselves something else. After all, antenna is where the missing dBs should be found. And experimenting is the HAM radio essence.

[@barrywright8866]

Tony it’s not all about the power.. A better antenna would change your view on things.. I’m lucky as I have a Hex Beam on a mast with 10w as a M7.. knowing you have lots of power to use makes it sometimes too easy.. work the propagation and the grey line and it feels more rewarding when you make that contact. Barry, M7BAZ

[@JoeG24991]

Tony, don’t use your HF in protest and only you will notice. You not being on air affects no one but you. I’m an M3 and have been for years, I’m happy between 5-10w working all over.

[@GordonHudson]

I have worked 92 countries on 10w this year DE GM4SVM

[@Alien_O1]

Shame foundation never got 50w

[@watersstanton]

It’s half an S-point!