Questions tagged [united-kingdom]
Questions specific to rules, regulations, and practices in the United Kingdom.
36
questions
2
votes
1
answer
134
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2m FM: where do I actually QSY to after establishing contact on 145.500?
I am new to amateur VHF, coming from HF and marine.
Online advice says after establishing contact on 145.500 then QSY. What is the range of channels/frequencies most folks use? ie that they are ...
- 253
2
votes
3
answers
88
views
What are channels in British repeaters?
British repeaters seem to have a channel associated with them, something like RV53 in this repeater: https://ukrepeater.net/my_repeater.php?id=2817
What is that?
Are frequencies channelized in the UK? ...
- 1,371
2
votes
1
answer
109
views
Is morse proficiency required for UK ham license?
I am an Extra Class license holder who has just moved to Scotland. I am working through online training to obtain my license for here. I’m curious if Morse proficiency is a requirement for licenses ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
70
views
New Amateur Radio User - UK
I am new to this hobby and was wondering if anyone could point me to some easy to digest beginner-friendly materials that are relevant to the UK (a lot of my searching has returned US-specific ...
- 21
0
votes
3
answers
176
views
Is it possible to boost WIFI signal? [closed]
Whilst strictly not radio ham question, it does fall in to the RF area so hopefully this is not too far off topic...
I have BT broadband account which entitles me to use BT-WIFI hotspots. The trouble ...
- 109
1
vote
1
answer
106
views
Will Brexit have any impact on UK recognition of foreign licenses
As a US license holder (and duel citizen of the US and UK) I know that I can operate in the UK for a couple of months using the M/W2*** prefix, while holding Amateur Extra, but I cannot apply for a UK ...
- 203
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Am I really receiving FT8 signals from 12,000 km away on 144 MHz?
I have been using an Ettus B200 SDR to receive FT8 transmissions in the 2-meter band (144.174 MHz) using the WSJT-X software. Signals are received using a telescopic antenna inside on a window ledge ...
- 286
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Is a Foundation or Intermediate license from the UK recognised in the US?
I know that a Full license is recognised in the US, but is the same true for a Foundation or Intermediate license? On the surface they look equivalent to the US Technician and General licenses, so are ...
- 13
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Beginner listening to a repeater - only hearing one station
This morning I tuned in to a repeater about 12km from me (in the UK). I could hear activity, but from only one station. I could tell that there were other stations using that repeater from the ...
- 151
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
UK Intermediate training a not qualified newbie
I'm 99.9% certain that this will be OK, but independent verification would be reassuring.
I am an "Intermediate" licence holder in the UK. This means that I am authorised to design and build my own ...
1
vote
2
answers
510
views
Will my neighbor's amateur RF antennas effect my own utilities?
I am buying a house in the UK and the property next door has two poles for antennas.
The next door lady seems to be very nice person and said her husband is an RF engineer and he used these on ...
3
votes
1
answer
268
views
UK "Remote Operation" defination
I am a UK licensed Amateur Radio operator with an Intermediate License.
I have a question surrounding the UK's (Ofcom's) definition of "Remote Operation".
My understanding is that for any Remote ...
- 157
4
votes
1
answer
280
views
UK Foundation Licence holder use of kits
The terms of the foundation licence allow for use of Commercial radios and kits that conform to IR2028. IR2028 basically says that the kits must operate within amateur bands .
I cannot find any kit ...
- 173
10
votes
2
answers
511
views
Full UK license visiting US: Can I use frequencies in US but not UK license?
E.g.:
7.2-7.3MHz are Region 2 but not Region 1. My license is "from" Region 1.
1.25 meter band is not available in the UK
Operating from aircraft is not permitted in the UK. Would it be if I visited ...
- 724
9
votes
1
answer
178
views
Getting permission from the master of the vessel
I'm crossing the English channel on a ferry soon and I'd like to do some radio while on it.
According to my license (full British Ofcom amateur radio license), to be able to do this, I need ...
- 1,371
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How do you calculate the field strength at a given distance?
Given this question from the full license exam in the UK:
What is the field strength at a distance of 7m from an antenna with an effective radiated power of 100W?
in which the answer is:
10 V/m
...
- 1,371
4
votes
3
answers
944
views
SDR set up that will TX & RX on CB, UHF and VHF
I would like to use SDR to receive and transmit on CB, UHF and VHF. Is this possible and if so what type of equipment will I need (antennae, dongle etc)? I currently have both UHF/VHF and CB but atm ...
- 51
2
votes
1
answer
424
views
How to find transmitting (voice and CW) Amateur stations in UK?
Background info:
I own an SDR (model "SDRPlay RSP1") and I have a fully working HDSDR software system installed on my PC. I can successfully use this to tune-in to my local airport's radio traffic ...
- 165
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there a DV VHF calling frequency in the UK?
On the band plan for VHF for the UK, I can see 145.500MHz being the FM calling frequency but I cannot find any for DV. Is there one?
In contrast, for UHF, I can see a calling frequency for FM at 433....
- 1,371
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why is 431-432MHz forbidden for use in London?
The band plan says:
Location Restriction: In addition it is very important to note that the band between 431-432MHz is not available for use if you are located anywhere within a 100km radius of ...
- 1,371
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How slow is slow telegraphy?
On the UK Band Plan there are frequencies stating “QRS (slow telegraphy) Centre of Activity”. For example, 14,055 kHz on 20m and 3,555 kHz on 80m.
What is considered slow? (<15 wpm?)
How close ...
- 225
3
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Licensing a group of BaoFeng BF-888s in the UK
I've purchased a couple of BaoFeng BF-888S's for personal use with friends.
I've been told these radios can't be used legally without a licence and given the usage, I doubt I could faithfully even ...
- 133
3
votes
1
answer
164
views
How do I get a license without being near a club?
I don't have a radio club near me, and as far as I'm aware I can't get an amateur radio license without being at a club to do the tests. Is there a way I can get an amateur radio license?
I have done ...
- 33
3
votes
2
answers
337
views
Is it all right to call CQ to a foreign country in their own language?
I have been asked by an Arabic speaker here in UK if it is legal, or desirable, to call CQ in Arabic if his beam is directed that way.
Please, what answer should I give? Is there a general rule that ...
- 533
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is Using PMR446 On A Baofeng GT3-MK3 HAM Radio Legal (If on low power)?
I have a Baofeng GT3-MK3, a great little radio.
Is it OK to use this on the low output setting for general use without a licence, for things like camping/hiking family use etc, if I used the legal ...
- 203
3
votes
2
answers
152
views
UK 2m Morse Simplex
I got my foundation licence and a Baofeng. Just curious if it's in the license boundaries that I could make a little Morse weather station?
It would be controlled by computer and transmit once every ...
- 163
4
votes
1
answer
69
views
UK Foundation - initial practical assessment, what to expect?
I'm going to be starting the Foundation course in the next few weeks, and have been offered an initial practical assessment at a member's shack to save time for the club during the course.
The call ...
- 95
4
votes
1
answer
997
views
Repeater autopatch ("phone patch"): which countries use this?
The section Operating Your Ham Radio in an Emergency from Ham Radio For Dummies recommends using an "emergency autopatch" to reach the emergency services when reporting an emergency from an amateur ...
user5147
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Do you need a radio licence to use ZigBee/Xbee?
I want to make a application with my Raspberry Pi along with a XBee module. I am going to use it in public places and in my own home.
The question is, do I need a radio licence (UK) to use the XBee ...
- 161
13
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Can I operate in the United Kingdom with a US license?
Can my license from the United States be used to operate while I'm in the United Kingdom?
- 2,336
5
votes
1
answer
282
views
How would I go about setting up my own repeater in the UK?
How would I go about setting up my own repeater in the UK? For instance, what license category would I need, what equipment would should be looking to purchase, and do I have to register it anywhere?
- 1,744
26
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Encrypted traffic and amateur radio
Am I allowed to send encrypted traffic via any medium or any frequency, or is this completely barred (and thus everything has to be open with no exceptions?)
- 1,744
7
votes
1
answer
7k
views
How big can an antenna be before I need planning permission in the UK?
Presumably setting up a 1m high antenna in a back garden isn't going to be an issue, but setting up an 80m high antenna would likely cause complaints! How high an antenna can I legally construct in ...
- 1,744
51
votes
5
answers
8k
views
How do I report an emergency using ham radio?
If I'm in the wilderness with ham equipment but no phone signal, how would I report an emergency? Is there a particular frequency I would use, a particular protocol or suchlike?
- 1,744
7
votes
1
answer
829
views
Using more than 400W in the UK
With a full amateur license in the UK, up to 400W can be used - however, there are cases that might call for higher power, such as bouncing signals off the moon.
Is there any way I can obtain ...
- 1,744
9
votes
1
answer
440
views
What privileges do I gain with each addition step of the license (in the UK?)
The UK has 3 licensing levels, foundation, intermediate and advanced. Aside from the allowed power output going up each time (10W, 50W, 400W) are there any other privileges one would gain?
- 1,744