[UK-CONTEST] QRO

[Ian White GM3SEK]

Colin G3PSM wrote:
>>
>The problem with high powered licences in the UK is that we are the 
>most densely populated country in Europe.   This leads to concerns 
>regarding environmental health hazards in urban conurbations so the 
>immediate kneejerk reaction from the Ofcom field force is "no way". 
>Most Eastern European countries have other environmental pollution 
>problems to sort out before they even think about r.f. radiation hazard 
>so powers of 5 and 10kW as indicated by an earlier email are not unusual.
>
The real argument is about a 4-6dB difference between the present 400W 
power limit and a limit of 1-1.5kW, which would legalise hundreds of 
existing amplifiers in the UK.

The knee-jerk "radiation hazard" arguments are totally spurious. 
Professionals in radiation protection (and I still am one) are heartily 
sick of  regulators using hand-waving arguments about "radiation 
hazards" to prohibit something that they actually dislike for quite 
different reasons... which maybe wouldn't stand up on their own.


>There is no reason however why we should not press for high power 
>licences for specific contests and for those stations  whose nearest 
>neighbour might be a mile or so away.

Now where did "a mile" come from? Either do a proper hazard assessment 
or leave it alone.

>There is certainly no chance at GB3RS (Potters Bar) where the outside 
>noise pollution is intolerable. Stations in East Yorkshire and 
>Shropshire immediately come to mind and I'm sure there are a lot more.
>   Please do not expect 1.5kW or even 1 kW as a norm, it won't happen.
>
>Advanced licence - what advanced license ?   How would this fit into 
>the CEPT/HAREC licencing structure?
>
>>I believe those who are pushing the operating and technology boundaries in the hobby should be supported,  if changes such as these
>>contribute to that advancement then I am all for change and progress.
>>
>>
>I'm a little at a loss to see how the terms "operating and technology 
>boundaries" and high power can be used in the same breath!   Brute 
>force does not equate to an advance in technology.
>

Colin, is that really the quality of thinking by which we are to be 
regulated?



-- 
73 from Ian GM3SEK