[UK-CONTEST] QRO

[Colin G3PSM]

Well I did say I would put on my tin hat!

Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

>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.
>  
>
Ok so "a mile" might be something of an exaggeration and was used to 
provoke a response, but for information the following extract is from 
the current Special Research Permit application form drawn up by Alan 
Betts when he was at Ofcom and agreed by the field force.   It can be 
seen from Note 3. that there is little encouragement to apply for an SRP 
and by association the same would currently apply to any applications 
for contest high power stations.

> *RFI Assessment*
>
> Distance from antenna to nearest point on boundary of premises:
>
> 	
>
>
> Field strength (V/m) at boundary:
> Explanation and calculations should be given on a separate sheet.
>
> 	
>
>
> Distance to nearest neighbours:
>
> 	
>
>
> Field strength at neighbours premises:
>
> 	
>
>
> *Notes:*
>
> 1. Special Research Permits will not normally be granted to persons 
> who have held a Full licence for less than 1 year.
>
> 2. Sufficient details must be given of the nature and purpose of the 
> research and the reasons why a lower power will not allow the research 
> to be carried out, to allow a proper assessment to be made. Inadequate 
> detail will delay any grant of a permit. Separate papers should be 
> submitted if required.
>
> 3. A full RFI assessment must be made to show that adequate 
> precautions and controls exist to prevent interference to neighbours 
> and other radio services. Any assumptions, calculations and 
> measurements must be shown. In certain cases the application will 
> involve a technical site clearance with other organisations and a site 
> visit. These actions may take some time.
>
> 4. The issue of a Special Research permit does not constitute 
> permission for antennas or other constructions and if large antennas 
> or masts are required, evidence of planning approval or expected 
> planning approval should be submitted.
>
This is obviously something we could work on and a need would exist to 
call in our specialists for the RFI assessment discussions with Ofcom.

>>>      
>>>
>>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.
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>  
>
I'll qualify that statement somewhat by adding "except where EME and 
similar experimentation is concerned".

73

Colin, G3PSM