Ofcom to Take over Administrative Tasks from1 Jan

[M3KCK]

From the 1st of January 2006 Ofcom is to take over some administrative tasks from the Rsgb, These include:

Managing the repeater and packet networks.

Issuing NoVs for special event call signs.

Contest call signs.

NoVs for the 5MHz Experiment.

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 Radio communications Agency. The Society received an annual subsidy for this work and was therefore able to issue NoVs free of charge. (Were they All Free?)

Click this Link to Read about it in the Rsgb News http://www.rsgb.org/

Also in Jan 2006 Ofcom will announce their Decision regarding the Ofcom consultation on Amateur Radio Licensing.

Ofcom will also be announcing changes to the BR68 in Jan 2006.
73
Regards,
Andrew M3KCK.

[M3KCK]

Ofcom have now made an Official announcement regarding the above at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radioco....0051222 (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/Notices/20051222)
73
Regards
Andrew #M3KCK

Edit: 22-12-05 12.56

Ofcom have told me today that they will announce a FREE Licence for Life (renewable every 5 years) in Jan 2006

Hi Andy,
a free licence for life , eh . I have generally found there is no such thing as a "free lunch". do you know what ofcom will expect in return,
thanks for the interesting post,
73
howard

[M3KCK]

Hi Howard,
Good question, Your guess is as good as mine!
I am only passing on the Info given to me.

As I understand it the Rsgb was in favour of a Licence renewable every 5 years and also one that was paid for.
Ofcom wanted to give us a Free Licence for life as you know, But I have been told today by a Gentlemen in the Amateur Radio department at Ofcom that it will be a Free Licence renewable every 5 years and this will be announced at the end of this month or more than likely in Jan 2006.

The other interesting thing is that the issue of Novs ect will be taken away from the Rsgb and issued in house by Ofcom, And there will also be some small changes to the BR68, If you have any suggestions as to changes you would like seen in the BR68, then e-mail them or write to them.

I do not remember the name of the Gentlemen I spoke to at Ofcom but his Direct Telephone number is 02079813198
73 Howard,
Regards,
Andrew M3KCK

Edited below on 22-12-05 @ 23.17

The gentlemans name is: Abdus Salam
e-mail: Abdus.Salam@ofcom.org.uk
Tel: 02079813198

Hi andy,
nice to see you posting again after a while away. My g7xyz mailbox is not working, i remember you sent me some interesting emails earlier this year when we were discussing a different topic. I thought I recognised KCK. congrats again on the intermediate.
Anyway, we'll have to see what the new year brings. As you know from reading QRZ there are changes afoot in many countries where ham radio is concerned !!!!

I'll try to ring ofcom in the new year and see if I can winkle any gen out of them.

Seasons greetings to you and the family from us poor people in Shropshire, and nice to see you back on QRZ,
I'll be listening with interest,

73
Howard M3WEM etc.

[M3KCK]

Hi Howard,
Seasons Greetings to you also my friend and have a Great Christmas and a Healthy New Year!

Ofcom should be open tomorrow so give them a ring and I am sure they will confirm what I have said and who knows you might get some more out of them?
73
Regards,
Andrew
M3KCK

[M3KCK]

I have spoken to Mr Abdus Salam today at Ofcom regarding the recent consultation and he has now told me that their conclusion to this will now not be published until the middle of the Year!!

Apparently Amateurs have got their MP`s involved and Ofcom has to consider All the concerns from everyone involved and this is a lengthily process?

Perhaps in June they will tell us it will be announced next year! After having All the responses to the consultation then it would seem wrong to be looking at anything submitted after the Closing date of the Consultation?
73
Regards,
Andrew M3KCK