VK amateurs echo RSGB's concerns

Currently most members of the WIA would be aware that Britain's radio regulator Ofcom's proposal for a free licence for life for radio amateurs is being met by the RSGB with a capital N.O.!

As Jim VK3PC reported right here recently, VK amateurs overwhelmingly rejected the concept of a licence fee free Class Licence made to us as part of the Review of Amateur Service Regulation. The concern being that without paying a licence fee, radio amateurs can expect only minimal service.

RSGB believes that a free licence is likely to be followed, in a few years, with deregulation. Among the ramifications of such a move could be removal of amateur licence exams and the opening up of the amateur bands to other users.

Well, across the Tasman in ZL Land they, back in 2002 were advised by their licensing body, MED, that MED were to issue a free life-time licence to New Zealand amateur radio operators on July first 2005, this year!

Another surprise came later.

It was the expectation of MED that all amateur radio beacons, repeaters and fixed links, previously free would now attract a licence fee of $250.00 each. With over 300 such installations, how would this sum be raised?
Over many months of negotiation NZART managed to gain a reduction in the proposed fee for each beacon, repeater and fixed link to $50.00 each.

Peter Norden ZL2SJ NZART President says the proposed life-time amateur licence for operators: General User Radio Licence" (GURL), is still expected to come into being on July 1st this year and the beacon, repeater and fixed link fee due in May 2006.

Back "in the Ol' Dart' Ofcom's Deputy Chairman, Richard Hooper, has assured the RSGB that deregulation of amateur radio was not an option that Ofcom was considering "at this time". Despite these assurances, the RSGB remains
unconvinced.

Jim VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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