New VHF Licensing rules from May 1st 2021

Ross Young

Ross Young

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Joined
8 Jul 2012
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24
Location
Southsea
www.greekprincess310.blogspot.com
I'm sure like many others you have received notification from ofcom about a change to your VHF license can I urge everyone to read the draft legislation as it has far reaching effects for Motor Boats due to its general configuration especially Flybridge Cruisers were passengers are in close contact with the radar arch.

I have done our calculations to become ofcom compliant?
If you use ofcom calculator its based on Max Watts and Max MHz you might be surprised at the results..

Safe working Distance from our VHF Aerial is 1.6M (I can achieve this)
Safe working Distance from our VHF Handheld is 0.78M (I can achieve this)
Safe working Distance from our AIS Aerial is 0.45M (I can achieve this)
Safe working Distance from our Raytheon 2D Analogue Radar is 6.38M (I can only achieve this with no one on the Flybridge) Note the Beam is +&- 12.5 degrees from horizontal.

You can read the full draft here:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/ass...ow-as-a-maritime-radio-user-Draft-version.pdf

You may also raise concerns or object to the proposed legislation at ofcom.org.uk/emf
 

Attachments

Ah I see this is part of our post Brexit bonfire of red tape:rolleyes:
 
That figure for the radar is wrong.

Mean power = peak power (2kw) X pulse width X pulse repetition frequency.

For a 2kw radar that's something like 25W.

If the mean power was actually 2kw you'd be able to cook a chicken by leaving it front of it ?
 
So, on a 14ft fishing boat with a cuddy and an antenna mounted on the cuddy roof, how would you keep the antenna 2.04m from your friend fishing on deck? You would need a 2m antenna extension meaning that the 2m antenna mast is now a total of 4m long. Antenna almost as high as the length of the boat. That's just insane!
 
bobtooke said:
So, on a 14ft fishing boat with a cuddy and an antenna mounted on the cuddy roof, how would you keep the antenna 2.04m from your friend fishing on deck? You would need a 2m antenna extension meaning that the 2m antenna mast is now a total of 4m long. Antenna almost as high as the length of the boat. That's just insane!
Click to expand...
I know the whole things a joke
 
FlowerPower said:
That figure for the radar is wrong.

Mean power = peak power (2kw) X pulse width X pulse repetition frequency.

For a 2kw radar that's something like 25W.

If the mean power was actually 2kw you'd be able to cook a chicken by leaving it front of it ?
Click to expand...
You are probably write but if you look at the calculator sheet produced by ofcom you have to simply enter the 2Kw figure without the adjustments you noted as the formula calculates the rest but appreciate your tech advice
 
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Ross Young said:
You are probably write but if you look at the calculator sheet produced by ofcom you have to simple enter the 2Kw figure without the adjustment the formula calculates the rest but appreciate your tech advice
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No, the EIRP is entered in to OFCOM's spreadsheet. That's not the power output of the transmitter, you have to take account of the antenna gain.
 
superheat6k said:
Slippery slope to officialdom telling us what we have to do. BSS for proper boats soon.
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Unfortunately our proper boat has it already as we moor inland ?

Don’t get me started on the absence of a real world evidence base to support BSS!
 
On what 'real world' evidence is this latest batch of gobbledegook based?
I have been exposed to VHF/SSB/HF/Radar/handheld since the age of fifteen, I am now seventy five and still breathing!
And do not know of anyone who has suffered detrimental effects which can be directly attributed to exposure.
 
Ross Young said:
I'm sure like many others you have received notification from ofcom ....
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I think there are no consequences for boat owners.
Ofcom dont check whether boat owners have an operator's certificate so what makes you think they will check anything else?
 
simonfraser said:
how are they going to check up on that whilst keeping a 2m distance from us ?
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I suspect that once the chandleries twig whats going on they will be willing to sell us at vast cost pretty sticky signs to put all over the place warning our on board public friends where it is safe and not safe to stand when radio transmissions are taking place. Not yellow and black which could be confused with Covid messages. Don't forget Public is everyone except the licensee .

There are many small boats where VHF antennas and heads are in close proximity so could need some mitigation.
 
MartynG said:
I think there are no consequences for boat owners.
Ofcom dont check whether boat owners have an operator's certificate so what makes you think they will check anything else?
Click to expand...

Ofcom in this instance are interested in the safe installation in relation to the public and so they know you have a radio as they showed this by sending you the message. They may be visiting marinas as in the old days to give at least spot checks that your installation complies. They have yet to advise exactly how but it will probably involve reference to the placing of antennas and how close the public are allowed to them when operating and with suitable signage in place. If you are for instance operating on a RIB where the antenna is on an arch at the stern then there will possibly be a no go area within about 1.6 metres of the antenna if the radio is in use. Strangely it seems this relates to the public and not the licensees who can sizzle their brains as much as they like. Some small motor boats have an antenna on the pilothouse roof also in close proximity to the helmsman however this can be mitigated by the use of foil in the head lining if Ofcom accept such precautions.

These measures affect everyone with a radio transmitting licence from the mighty Vodafone BBC ITV etc down to ships hams and boat owners . Unfortunately everyone seems to have got the same message regardless of the power of their transmitters.

No wonder I am typing such nonsense....... I have been sizzling my brain for 60 years or more on ships...Oil rigs.. Shore Bases in the Egyptian desert and Cairo and around the house and afloat in various boats. :)
 
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