RSGB hands over the admin baton
Communications regulator Ofcom will take over a series of amateur
radio administrative tasks from 1 January 2006.
The tasks include managing the repeater and packet networks, issuing
NoVs for special event callsigns, contest callsigns and operation
on 5MHz and providing permits for amateur radio research and Raynet
operations.
These roles were previously undertaken by the Radio Society of
Great Britain on behalf of Ofcom and its predecessor the Radiocommunications
Agency. The Society received an annual subsidy for this work and
was therefore able to issue NoVs free of charge. As part of a review
of amateur radio procedures, Ofcom has decided to take these roles
in-house. The management will now be carried out from Ofcom's headquarters
in London .
RSGB General Manager Peter Kirby, G0TWW, welcomed the changes.
“I am delighted with this decision. It shows Ofcom's commitment
to amateur radio and will provide a slicker service to the amateur
radio community as Ofcom can provide more resources than the RSGB,”
he said. Peter also said that the shake-up would “allow the
RSGB to revert to being a truly representative organisation able
to concentrate fully on representing its members and all UK radio
amateurs to Ofcom and other governmental bodies”.
Ofcom's Steve Roper, G8MXZ, praised the RSGB for carrying out the
administrative roles in the past and for providing a very efficient
service over many years. He added: “Ofcom has a duty to manage
the amateur radio spectrum and is committed to maintaining a good
service for radio amateurs.”
RSGB staff will work alongside Ofcom representatives to ensure
the hand over of responsibilities goes as smoothly as possible.
Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the
RSGB
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