OFCOM May Extend The Scope of CB Modes

[Yorkie]

Those who are interested in CB and Amateur Radio, which doesn't include me - though I get automatic e-mail notification of Ofcom's reports - might like to know of a proposal out for consultation on extending the scope of CB in terms of the permissible mode. Historically, before it became legalised CB mostly used AM on illegally imported equipment on 27MHz, hijacking what was then the model control frequencies, causing havoc to law-abiding licensed model control enthusiasts.

Subsequently, the Radiocommunications Agency as it then was, before it metamorphosed into Ofcom drew up a specification (FM/81) and created an FM CB Licence. It later changed the frequency band, and later still, CB became 'licence free'. (Amateur radio in contrast is a free licence, but not 'licence free'). CB didn't get off to a very auspicious start as by definition, all those who had engaged in it were not just 'breakers' as I think they like to be known, but lawbreakers. Some used other non permitted modes, and the remnants who still engage in CB have, over the years, lobbied for other modes, notable single-sideband, to be permitted.

Basically, Ofcom are simply falling into line with a decision already made for them by the ECC, but still have to go through the motions of 'consultation'.

For anyone who might be intere4sted in this, the full document can be found here:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binarie...-radio.pdf

He's a summary of the introduction:

Quote:

This document sets out proposals to amend current arrangements for Citizens’ Band (CB) Radio in the UK to allow the use of Amplitude Modulation (AM) Double-sideband (DSB) and Single-sideband (SSB) transmission on CB radio, which we have hitherto not permitted.

Specifically we propose to:

• authorise the use of AM emissions on European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) harmonised channels in line with European Communication Committee (ECC) Decision (11)0311; and

• authorise such use on a licence exempt basis (in line with our authorisation approach for other modes of operation for CB).

End quote.

Really CB is something that kids used to faff about with 20 years ago before internet, mobile phones and social media such as Facebook and Twitter came along.

Sat-nav and TA on FM radio have taken the place of traffic reports etc for truckers.

[pwdrive]

I take the view that as CB has been long established then they should be able to transmit in any mode subject to normal spectrum emission requirements. Ofcom can either police it or they can't, same goes for the rest of the spectrum.

I have no interest in CB.

Lawrence

[Skywave]

Within the U.K., there is far less interest in Amateur Radio and less activity on the bands than there was, say, 30 years ago. The 80 m. band, in particular, often seems bereft of U.K stations at those times of the day and night when I would have expected a substantial number of U.K.-based Amateurs to be engaged in QSOs. The reasons for this desertion are many and are well-known, recognised and documented.
OTOH, having read the OfCom report, it does seem that eventually we might see an amalgamation of CB and Amateur Radio. Now there's an interesting thought. From my viewpoint, if such an evolution does occur, and amplitude modulation returns, significantly*, to Amateur Radio as a consequence, I reckon that that will produce a significant increase in the amount of U.K Amateur Radio activity. Remember the upsurge in the activity on the 2-metre band in the late '60s / early '70's when that band was opened up to G8+3s using A.M.? A half-descent A.M. TX for one h.f. band can be built relatively easily; not so for a multi-band SSB h.f. TX.

* I am aware of the limited activity on 3615 kHz.

Just a few thoughts.

Al. / Oct. 7, '13 //

[pwdrive]

"I am aware of the limited activity on 3615 kHz."

T1154's spewing all over the place....!

Haven't listened on 80 for a while Al, maybe I will have a go this winter, I expect 40 is choc a block as usual.

Lawrence.

[Skywave]

Actually, Lawrence, it seems that the venerable 'K.W. Vanguard' is the most popular TX on 3615. Which reminds me: I have one on those in my round-to-it pile. Now just as soon as I've finished my current project - renovating a Racal RA-17 - I must start to have a serious think about it, but it is in a terrible state!

As for 40 m., it is noticeable that since it was expanded from 7100 to 7200 kHz, there is a lot more U.K. activity on that band than what there was prior to that expansion.

Al. / Oct. 7, '13 //

[pwdrive]

You could well be right, there are a few T1154's I have heard on there in the past, modulation varied between good and diabolical, still nice to here them being used, whatever happened to across the pond with few watts out of a 6L6, those were the days.
10 mins ago I was listening on 80 via live web sdr, the Germans use that band a lot for chin wags, a few on there now.
Good luck with the RA17, got to do some work on an RA117 at some point, not really looking forward to it, haven't fired up any of my comms sets for ages, need to get stuff sorted out.

Lawrence.

[Skywave]

. . . whatever happened to 'across the pond' with few watts out of a 6L6? Those were the days.
Lawrence.

Indeed: TXs built on the kitchen table and using c.w. or amplitude modulation. Then SSB came along and everything changed. Now I've nothing against technical advancement in Amateur Radio at all, but with SSB transmitters, it is a simple fact that they are more complicated to design, build and adjust compared to a traditional A.M. / c.w. TX. Although there were some excellent home-brew efforts at SSB in its early days, these were mainly single-band jobs. Of course, commercially-built Amateur kit had been around for a long time and when SSB transmitters - and then SSB transceivers - from such stables came along, the building of home-brew Amateur Radio gear gradually declined. The growth of solid-state electronics also had a contribution to that: valved gear is far more tolerant of electrical abuse than what semi-conductors are: we all know that.
So, to pick up on my earlier thoughts. If A.M. - in quantity - does ever return to h.f. Amateur Radio, will there still be enough 'bottles' like the 6L6 etc. around to meet that need? Should I hang on to the four brand new, unused TT21s that I have stored in the attic? What about all those 807s that are up there? Will there be enough of us 'old hands' left who understand how valves work? And, more to the point, if it does arise, will it occur in my life-time? Personally, I doubt it. Ho Hum. I'll just carry on making hay whilst my own personal sun shines.

Al. / Oct. 7, '13 //

[boiss]

I think that the days of the 6L6 and 807 are long gone for the majority of Hams, It will be Fets and Bjts. It's only the Old Fogies (myself included) that will be mucking around keeping the filaments hot and glowing. When I go, I guess that all my "Junk" will go to the tip. Some months ago I sold a Telefunken radio to a lad here in his 20s who said that this would be his 2nd valve radio. Maybe there is some hope after all. There is a dutch guy here who sort of collects and sells valve radios but he cannot repair them. Certainly in 20yrs time there will be very few around that can sort these dinosaurs out.
Mike