Israel imposes tough rules on amateurs

The Israeli authorities have imposed draconian new rules on radio amateurs.

From January 2007, many of the country’s radio amateurs will not be able operate their radio equipment unless it has been checked and authorised by government inspectors.

This follows the ratification of a new law that aims to prevent harmful radiation from radio equipment. The only amateurs who are exempt from the new law are those who use only VHF and UHF equipment with an output of below 20W.

Amateurs will also have to obtain a permit for the erection of antenna towers. Permits will only be granted if the installation can be proven not to cause harmful radiation. Operation of amateur radio equipment without the proper permits will be considered a criminal offence.

According to a spokesman for Israeli amateurs, the harsh new rules were pushed through by government following public concern over the safety of mobile phone masts. He said: “It seems that all this has come about from the public near-hysteria over the presence of cellular telephone installations in residential areas.”

There have been similar fears in the UK about mobile phone masts. However, no study has shown any evidence of harmful ionising radiation from these or amateur installations.

Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the RSGB