New ham radio regulations in Belgium Belgium's national amateur radio society, the UBA, has published details of the May 24 decision of the BIPT Council on amateur radio frequencies, powers and transmission modes A Google translation reads: On May 27, 2019, the Decision of the BIPT Council of May 24 concerning the frequencies, powers and transmission modes that may be used by the radio amateurs was published on the BIPT website. This is an amended version of the Decree of March 20, 2019, which was revoked on March 27, 2019 following an objection from the UBA. The new Decree meets the objections that many holders of a Basic license had against the Decree of March 20. Changes to the Basic licence (ON3) [equivalent to 2002 UK Foundation] compared to the Decree of March 20, 2019 1. The maximum power on HF is increased from 10 W to 25 W. On VHF and UHF, the maximum power is retained at 50 W. To offer holders of a basic license sufficient choice in the purchase of transmitting equipment, equipment with a maximum power of 100 W. 2. At 80 m, the frequency range has been extended from 3500-3750 kHz to 3500-3800 kHz (the full 80 m band). 3. At 40 m the frequency range has been expanded from 7000-7100 kHz to 7000-7200 kHz (the full 40 m band). 4. At 20 m, the frequency range has been extended from 14000-14150 and 14250-14350 kHz to 14000-14350 kHz (the full 20 m band). 5. At 15 m, the frequency range has been extended from 21000-21150 and 21320-21450 kHz to 21000-21450 kHz (the full 15 m band). The access to the full "classic" HF bands is very good news from the contesters and DX hunters among our ON3s. Access to the 6 meter band is no longer there, this can possibly be revised after the World Radio Conference of 2019. Changes for the CEPT Novice license (ON2) compared to the Decree of March 20, 2019 1. Access to the full 160 m band (1810-2000 kHz) with a maximum capacity of 100 W. The requested access to some SHF (GHz) bands with limited transmission power is not permitted for the time being because BIPT first wants to conduct a market investigation into the availability of "ready-made" transmission equipment (self-building of transmission equipment is not allowed for holders of a CEPT Novice license). The UBA is willing to participate in this market research, in the hope that BIPT will subsequently revise its decision. Changes to the HAREC license (ON1) in comparison with the Decree of March 20, 2019 1. The maximum power in the frequency range 1850-2000 kHz has been increased from 10 W to 150 W. The full Decree is available on the BIPT website https://www.bipt.be/public/files/nl/22813/2019-05-24_RAM-besluit.pdf At our General Meeting on May 3, we had already lifted a tip of the veil, and the responses from the ON3s present were positive. We hope that in this way we have convinced our members (and also non-members) that we (UBA) also take the interests of the ON3s to heart, contrary to what some quatongs claim. UBA in Google English https://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA March 2019 - BIPT repeals ham radio power reduction http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/march/bipt-repeals-ham-radio-power-reduction.htm http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/new-ham-radio-regulations-in-belgium.htm
Yes, as long as the output power of the amplifier does not exceed 25 W on HF. This is in line with a long standing European practice of connecting power privileges to competence. Low competence or easy exams = low power, which makes perfectly sense in densely populated and interference-conscious countries. A bit of trivia. Two generations ago (1953-1962) , the novice licence here had the following HF privileges; Crystal controlled Morse on 7035-7050 kHz Maximum power 5 W input It had the very beneficial effect of creating top-notch operators. Most of the really good operators that still are around have either gone through this very tough learning path, or have obtained their commercial radiotelegraph licences during their conscript service. QRP= "Quality Replaces Power" 73/ Karl-Arne SM0AOM
The ON1 got a power increase in part of the 160 m band, which is MF. ON2 got the same on 16o m, MF again. ON3 finally got an increase from 10 to 25 W on the 80,40,20 and 15 m bands, which are HF. So the only current power increases on HF in Belgium are from 10 to 25 W for "Entry Level" whatever that may be. 73/ Karl-Arne SM0AOM
Italian and Spanish hams I hear on 75m and 40m don't seem to be encumbered with those kinds of power restrictions.
The "top licence" in Belgium is the Class A or HAREC. Maximum power is limited to 1500 W PEP or lower in certain bands and segments. After reading (with some difficulty) the Flemish version of the regulations I noticed that the Class C or ON3 licencees are limited to factory-made equipment having a maximum power output of 100 W by design, and are also prohibited from using external amplifiers. This is similar to the conditions for the British Foundation licence. All licence classes have restrictions for the maximum power that their equipment is capable of, the "3 dB rule", which says that if the limit is, say, 100 W, the maximum power their equipment may deliver is 200 W. 73/ Karl-Arne S;M0AOM
This is unfortunately derived from how some authorities look at the required competence levels. In the EU Radio Equipment Directive, there is a specific exemption from type-acceptance requirements for home-built gear, which is allowed on the specific grounds that radio amateurs are perceived to be technically competent. Now the authorities in some, not all, countries have taken a closer look at the actual competence expected and shown from the lowest licence classes, and found that it is, in their opinion, not sufficient to construct and operate "homebrew" equipment in a way that it does not cause harmful interference. To bypass this problem without imposing restrictions for all licence classes, the route of restricting the lower classes to both lower power and factory-built equipment has been taken. Frankly, the actual engineering knowledge of even the highest classes in too many countries is not sufficient to design, build and operate especially high-power transmitters, but the authorities still live in the perception that it is. We should however be very wary of any changes in this picture, as more than one spectrum authority has discussed in earnest to abolish the licence exams and in return reduce the spectrum and power privileges together with banning "home-brew" equipment. It is the connection between a perceived relatively high competence level and the presumed avoidance of harmful interference that have managed to keep our exams and the privileges. 73/ Karl-Arne SM0AOM
