Questions tagged [united-kingdom]

Questions specific to rules, regulations, and practices in the United Kingdom.

Radio in the UK is regulated by Ofcom.

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is an amateur radio organization that provides training, books, events, etc.

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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?
berry120
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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?)
berry120
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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?
Timtech
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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 frequencies, i.e. 446 in UK?
Jucks
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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 with approximately 1 m of cable. I have made no…
David
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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 the US? I realise that any frequencies not…
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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, 100W, 400W) are there any other privileges one would gain?
berry120
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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 permission from the master of the vessel. What should…
Pablo Fernandez
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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 the UK without going through the route of applying…
berry120
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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 permission to use a higher power, even if this is…
berry120
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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 in my home and/or in public places? I want to know…
iProgram
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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?
berry120
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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 should you stay to the stated frequencies?
Phil_12d3
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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 comments of the station that I could hear. Why couldn't…
Adam
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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 have separate antennae for each rig. Reading about…
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