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With effect from Saturday 18th October 2008, RSGB RAYNET Groups no longer need apply for TT Permits. Instead they are asked to submit an annual report of usage (when requested) and immediate reports of any cases of interference cause by or to the units.
The following are guidelines for use:
Guidelines on RAYNET Talk-Through usage
October 2008
Ofcom have declared that Talk-Through is now permitted without the need for a permit to be issued and without the need for the unit to be staffed. However, the RSGB request that all their groups send in an annual return so that use can be monitored. All that is required is to complete and return the information below by 31st January each year, commencing in 2010.
The Group Controller should familiarise him/herself with these notes, and a copy of them should be retained by the operator of the Talk-Through unit.
All operations must be directly supervised by the licensee whose call-sign is being used by the Talk-Through station. That licensee must monitor transmissions on all frequencies in use and be prepared to intervene at once if difficulties arise. With care, it should be possible for station identification announcements to be made without unnecessary disruption of Talk-Through facilities The following identification transmission format is
recommended:
³This is <callsign> operating Talk-Through for <Group¹s name> RAYNET, in support of the <User Service> at <name of event>. This station is located at <location>
The site of the Talk-Through station should be chosen carefully and the lowest RF power compatible with efficient operation used. Care should be especially exercised on sites where there are other non-amateur radio users in the vicinity.
IN BAND OPERATION
2 Metres
When used Œin-band¹ on 2 metres, it is recommended that the standard VHF repeater-shift of -600kHz be used, an ŒEmergency Communications¹ frequency pair being preferred
70 Centimetres
a) Wide (7.6 MHz) Split
The frequency pair 430.8000 MHz (Mobile TX) and 438.4000 MHz (Base TX) should be used. Use of this pair should not take place in the immediate vicinity of an existing permanent 7.6 MHz wide-spaced repeater installation or known high-speed data node operating in these frequency areas as there is a likelihood of mutual interference.
b) Narrow (1.6 MHz) Split
It is recommended that the standard UHF repeater shift of +1.6MHz be used, the frequencies of 434.3750 (Mobile TX) and 432.7750 MHz (Base TX) being preferred.
CROSS-BAND OPERATION
When Œcross-band¹ Talkthrough is employed, it is recommended that only those frequencies identified by the UK Band Plan as being for Emergency Communication (formerly RAYNET) use be utilised. If other frequencies need to be used, care should be taken to avoid those identified for other specialist users and those commonly used as Œchat channels¹. For successful use of Talkthrough, the higher frequency channel chosen must not be a harmonic of the frequency in the lower band used.
It is suggested that Talkthrough equipment be fitted with Transmit Time-Out Timers set to a maximum value of 3 minutes. This may be external or may be an internal pre-settable option in the radio(s) itself. It may also be an idea to encourage individual operators to fit or enable such timers, as a Œstuck¹ or inadvertently enabled PTT at an outstation can unwittingly disrupt Talkthrough operations
Talk-Through may employ any mode to which the licensee normally has access (e.g. NBFM, CW, SSB, Datamodes etc). Talk-through should normally be on 6m, 2m, or 70 cm, although 10 m may also be useful in certain conditions, at all times having regard to the band plans.
Annual Reports and Enquiries should be directed to:
The Director
Public Service
The RSGB
3, Abbey Court, Fraser Road
Priory Business Park
Bedford M44 3WH
or by e-mail to
gm3zye <at> rsgb.org.uk
Information required on annual report:
Name of Group
Name and contact details of person submitting report
Name and nature of events
User service
Dates of events
TT unit location
Frequencies and powers used |
