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We are sure all tutors are aware of the change to the lifetime licence but what are the detailed changes and the changes to the syllabus?
The first and most obvious change to the licence is that it is now a single part licence, no BR68 and Validation Document, and all three licences are covered in a single document. Wherever possible the terms of all three licences have been drawn together and the schedules giving the frequencies and powers are the only separate items for each licence class.
Section 1 of the licence replaces the Validation Document and has CEPT equivalent status if it is a Full licence. No significant change here.
Section 2 replaces BR68 and the ‘name’ BR68 has gone. It was actually a document reference number many years ago, long before the DTI or RA were responsible for amateur radio. The correct mouthful, sorry, title, is ‘Terms, Conditions and Limitations’ of the Amateur Licence.
Lets look at the clauses in some detail. It is not suggested that the students, especially at Foundation level, need this level of detail but it is important the tutors understand it.
1(1), 1(2) and 1(3) are much the same; the key change is that all levels, including Foundation, may assist the User Services. More subtle, and a possible point of confusion, is that the term ‘Station’ has been replaced by ‘Radio Equipment’. Tutors will recall that the Station was identified by its call sign; until then it was just assorted rigs. If a visitor used your equipment but gave his call sign (/P), it was his Station, his log and his neck on the block if anything went wrong. Your log would be blank. You could supervise him and then it was your call sign, your Station and your log, he was simply on the microphone.
Jumping to 3(1), 3(2) and 3(3), all levels of licensee may now supervise use by a UK amateur and Full licensees may supervise the use by amateurs from any country and Foundation trainees. It seems that there is no provision for visiting amateurs to use the equipment unsupervised under their own call sign. In fact they still can. In doing so they are operating under the terms of their own licence, the equipment owner’s licence is not invoked at all and does not therefore need to say anything about it. To help we need to look back at clause 1. The bits in the shack only become ‘Radio Equipment’ (with initial capitals denoting it is a defined licence term) when used under a licence and identified by the licence call sign. The Radio Equipment (just like the Station) is the Radio Equipment of the person holding the call sign given in identification; physical ownership or location is not relevant to the licence terms. Sorry this is rather legalistic and pedantic, but it has previously caused considerable confusion.
The only change in clause 2 (location) is the return of the alternative address, /A but clause 13 on identification only requires the Regional Secondary Locator (in 2(2)) to be used, the suffixes /P, /A etc are optional as confirmed in note (d) to the licence.
Clause 4 (variation and revocation) has only 1 change relevant to the syllabus at Foundation or Intermediate level. That is the automatic revocation if the 5 yearly update or confirmation of details is forgotten.
The syllabus does not consider clause 5 but it may be helpful to draw attention to the fact that equipment for use by Foundation licensees may now be modified by a dealer so the apparent conflict between the new clause 5(1) and the old clause 4(1) of BR68 no longer exists. The new clause, 7(2), avoids the problem.
Clause 6 has two changes of note. The licensee must give immediate notice of a move of house (main station or mailing addresses) to Ofcom instead of ‘prior written notice’ as shown in BR68. The other change is the need to update or re-confirm personal details at no more that five year intervals.
Clause 7 has no new effect on the syllabuses but the wording has changed for Foundation licensees. The equipment must be commercially available which means it will be CE marked showing it complies with the RTTE directive (Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment) and must comply with Interface requirement IR2028. The RTTE directive is available on the web and IR2028 is on the Ofcom web site. Older equipment (that was ‘type approved’) is grandfathered in and may also be modified by a dealer to comply with IR2028 if it previously did not. Foundation licensees should ensure the dealer provides a headed note confirming the modification and compliance in case it needs to be produced. They must also now conduct tests from time to time.
There are no significant changes in clauses 8 and 9 but clause 10 on unattended operation has changed markedly. All licensees may operate unattended (eg packet) and by remote control with an increased power limit of 500mW. The restriction on the control link being receivable outside the curtilage has gone, allowing the remotely controlled main station to be away from the house. The link must be fail safe and secure (without breaching the non-encryption requirement of clause 11(2)) and the facility does not allow general use by other amateurs. The Foundation syllabus does not address unattended operation.
There are changes in clause 11, messages. There never were restrictions on political or religious messages (only on behalf of such organisations), that was and still is amateur etiquette and custom only. However the specific restrictions on pecuniary interest and music have gone. Business use is still prohibited (by clause 1(1)(b)). Music is likely to be a sore point but other legislation prohibits broadcasting and copyrighted material. Amateur etiquette is still very much no music! Material that would be an offence face to face is equally an offence if transmitted.
Log keeping (clause 12) is no longer mandatory; it is optional and will be needed for awards etc. The merits of keeping a Log has moved to syllabus item 8 (operating) but is not examined for the simple reason that it would not be fair or reasonable to fail a candidate on details on log keeping when it is optional; but it should be covered in the training. The need to keep a log if specifically asked is covered at Intermediate level.
The requirements on identifying the station have also changed. The call sign must be given on CQ calls and in establishing contact, every 15 minutes, but not at the end. Tutors may wish to advise that amateur custom is to give the call sign much more often, as well as at the end. However it is important candidates understand what the licence requirements are, it is those that will be examined. The need to give a voice or Morse identification every 30 minutes has gone.
Clause 15 on fees is not examined at Foundation or Intermediate level. Work continues on the Advanced syllabus.
Another significant change is found in clause 17 on interpretation. There are also a couple of redundant clauses, which will cause confusion. Clause 2(1)(e) restricts Maritime Mobile operation to Full licensees as before. 17(1)(w) defines Maritime Mobile as being on a Vessel at Sea. That, in turn is defined by 17(1)(tt) as being on the seaward side of the low water line along the coastline as marked on large scale charts officially recognised by the relevant costal state (in this case the UK). That is a change from the old BR68 definition of ‘Tidal Waters’.
Similarly Mobile, as in 2(1)(d) is defined by 17(1)(y) as including a Vessel on Inland Waters which again is defined by 17(1)(uu) as being on the landward side of the low water line. Foundation and Intermediate licensees may now operate on tidal rivers and as far into an estuary as the charts allow.
Unfortunately clauses 17(1)(f) on ‘At Sea’ and 17(1)(11) ‘Tidal Water’ still exist but are not invoked anywhere within the licence document. They are redundant. If one tries to combine 17(1)(ss) which defines a Vessel with 17(1)(f), defining ‘At Sea’, the result is NOT a ‘Vessel At Sea’. Ofcom have been made aware of this anomaly and have agreed with the interpretation given above.
That leaves the schedules and the notes still to cover. There are three schedules, one for each licence class. Inspection of the Foundation schedule will show that the 28MHz and 10GHz bands have been added. 10GHz is restricted to 1W primarily for safety reasons. The column for the Amateur Satellite Service now shows Foundation licensees may use satellites and the column showing modulation types or modes has gone (as has the old BR68 clause on pulse emissions).
The notes are self-explanatory but tutors should note that several matters that were compulsory are now referred to by ‘may’ or ‘recommended’. The appropriate Table, A, B or C will be supplied once the new syllabus is in use. Schedule 2 will not be supplied or examined, except possibly at Advanced level where the entire licence document is supplied.
For further information please contact the RCE dept by e-mail: rce.dept@rsgb.org.uk
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