Ham Radio Power Limits: New Ofcom Changes Explained 

To me, the most important change is the one which permits non-licensed people to go on-air under then direct supervision of a licensed operator. This is surely one of the best ways to attract new blood to the hobby and I reckon it'll be NEWER license holders who will be more inclined to do that, rather than operators who have been licensed for decades and who's motivation has become a little jaded. 73, Tom, M7MCQ.

Don't ever forget that its the aerial that does all the hard work and with a well designed, professional installation, using best quality feeder cable and plugs; the World is at your fingertips. A Big high powered linear amplifier will get you an extra S point or two (in theory) but at what cost, not only the purchase but on your electricity bill. My greatest enjoyment, during my decades on the air was working SSB stations some hundreds of miles away, on 6 metres and with just 500 milli Watts and yes I do have a Big amplifier.

Congratulations to our fellow hams across the pond

Increasing from 10W to 25W is a big jump. Glad you guys are getting some improvements to your licensing.

Nice one Tony, very helpful. Continuation of RSL gets my vote.

Agree with you Tony on the MM, GW etc it has its uses.

The nice thing about increasing the power from 400W to 1000W is not the increase in signal (because it's not even one full S point) but the increase in signal to noise ratio. I've done some tests, increasing power from 400W to 1000W and in each case the far station reported that the signal was only slightly stronger but much nicer to listen to and much clearer. Running QRO in an urban environment is not a recipe for disaster now either because receiving equipment is so much better than it ever was. Far too many people are assuming that running 1kW is going to be a problem and they're basing that on experiences from years ago. I've been running 400W from an urban environment for over ten years, with a two element HF beam on a mast mounted to the back of the house. My immediate neighbour has a TV aerial within about 15ft from my aerial and when I first put it up, we did extensive tests and he doesn't get a peep out of me. Since last week, we've done some more tests at 1kW and it's the same, not a flicker. Be sensible, don't overdrive your amplifier and if there are issues, work with your neighbours. I think some of these changes are stupid, making RSLs optional is a ridiculous change but on the whole, this is good for the UK amateur radio community.

Yes nice Video Tony,Thank you Change is Good,its what The Hobby Needs even if it's not to Everyone,s likening. I,m an M0 when i got my Licence, we were not Allowed on HF,(Very Backward at the Time) I am all for making it Easier for New people joining this Great Hobby of ours as Long as they Respect it Some one interested in the Hobby operating under Supervision is a Great thing. Provisional Drivers Go out on the Road under Supervision with No Restrictions on a car Engine size Well Done ofcom & RSGB Jack

TTony, I think you should have mentioned that throughout the doc states in compliance with the EMF regulations (Condition 9) . Going from 400 to 1K in an urban situation - I can’t see a station being able to comply ? Prove me wrong., plus how many aerial systems will take 600 800 or 1kw power. Think it should have been mentioned I think the G5RV will only take 120 watts ? I’m lucky I have a DX88 which will take the new power of 1K - however I live in an urban situation and though my 811H will do 800 watts I will be sticking with 400 as my EMF calculations deem it safe to operate - Just saying 😊

ML&S giving something away free that is something you dont see very often...😂

Its all good stuff. For me being able to set up a simplex digital gateway (wiresx) and cover the whole town with 5w I'm very happy. As for the power increases, great for those that have the real estate and antenna farms, but more relevant to the foundation - in my experience its all you need

Hello Toni, Oh dear, 1000,Watts,on a farm great. but residential housing, Neighbours are going to be queuing to complain about the interference.

great changes I'm sure.....what call sign would be used and would the operator just say under supervision of M7ABC as an example

Tut , Tut Dissing Daves Tony Baloni 🤣

So I can use 1kW from the bath using a GE callsign and /QRO/Maritime Mobile - Happy days! Just what I've been looking forward to! I wonder how many new "clubs" are going to start up over the next few months.

I'm a pirate so no changes for me 🙄

Congrats on the power output upgrades!

Well explained mate , thank you 👍🏽🍷

Tnx for the Update News, Jonathan. Keep up Your fantastic Job. Say hello from me to the whole ML&S Team. Happy Weekend & 73 de Uncle Günter 💯🙋‍♂

Has anyone noticed the amount of amplifiers that have suddenly become available on g3cwi 😂..I’ll stick to 400w when needed as the valves in mine cost minimum £250 each and it has 3!!

RSGB found useless. For the last few months I have been trying to find out if the Corby Vhf and Uhf Repeaters are active or not. Conflicting info online etc etc. Cannot receive them or use them. Any help would be appreciated as getting nowhere. Cheers from old George

Realistically what can you achieve with a foundation certificate, where can you reach and where do you find advice as I am looking everywhere to match transceivers to antennas and can't find anything?

No need for?KW, that's just madness. I won't be looking into getting one, after 30+years no need for it

🙂👍

The question is Re TV interference:- Is your TV designed to receive Amateur Radio Transmissions? Manufacturers problem?????? 73 de Mike G3PGA

Cant wait to bin my horrible 2E0 callsign. Also I was hoping they would make getting a pass for the full licence more achievable to the none high tech amateurs.....not many build there own HF radios these days.....or repair modern radios themselves. I am not interested in the ins/out of ICs or Transistors ect ect....does a working knowledge of the above make me a better radio operator.....of course not.

Sorry all good People fellow Radio operators My Sincerest Apologies (typing Error I mentioned to say (M1***) 73 Enjoy Jack