Trevor M5AKA

Ofcom Report - threat to Amateur Radio 2.4 and 5 GHz Bands

On Wednesday 17th May, Ofcom published two reports on potential uses of radio spectrum. The first examines the current state and future bands above 60GHz for devices, systems, applications, sharing and regulation.
See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/
technology/overview/ese/reliable/

The second report considers optimising the use of spectrum for license-exempt applications and the use of higher powers in licence exempt applications to provide wireless broadband in rural areas. See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/technology/overview/ese/exempt/

It is this second report that is potentially damaging to the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite Services.

It proposes allowing the use of powers of up to 80 watts EIRP in the 2.4 GHz band and 200 watts EIRP in the 5 GHz band. Radio Amateurs have allocations in both of these bands..

Both weak-signal Amateur Satellites and Amateur TV Repeaters use the 2.4-2.2450 GHz band. It is hard to see how either would be able to continue using these frequencies when faced by the high levels of interference from the high power applications envisaged by this report.

What is particularly concerning is that the report does not even mention the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite Services as being users of the 2.4 GHz band - it's as though we didn't exist!

On 5 GHz we fair little better with just a brief passing reference to the existence of the Amateur Radio Services.

The Amateur Satellite community has spent many years and a great deal of money in developing Amateur Satellites that have provided worldwide communications for Amateurs in the Microwave bands.

There are currently four High Earth Orbit (HEO) Amateur satellites under construction that will use the 2.4 GHz band. These will provide Amateurs with worldwide communications.

The International Space Station (ISS) will be having equipment installed to enable video of the astronauts to be sent direct to school pupils as part of the Educational ARISS School Contact programme. This uses 2.4 GHz and could be jeopardised by high-power licence exempt users.

The Amateur Mars Orbiter P5-A due for launch in 2009 will be using the Amateur 2.4 GHz allocation.

Amateur Satellites are by their nature long-term enterprises. The design and construction phase can take 5 years and the satellites themselves can have an operation lifetime of up to 30 years.

In order to continue carrying out innovative experimental work the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite Services need to be assured of long-term access to spectrum that is free from harmful interference.

73 Trevor M5AKA

The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday July 28th to Sunday July 30th and there will be an extensive programme covering many aspects of Space Communications.

The fully satellite equipped RSGB GB4FUN van will be onsite throughout the event. The colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's for further information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/