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As We Here In America Complain About Amateur Radio Rules, It Could Be Worse:

Sweden’s Telecommunications Regulatory Agency to Require Fee to Run More than 200 Watts

Effective on November 1, radio amateurs in Sweden who want to run more than 200 W PEP in certain Amateur Radio allocations will have to apply for a transmitter license to do so. Sweden’s telecoms agency PTS has announced a modified listing of license-free transmitters that spells out the changes for Amateur Radio and other services. Sweden eliminated Amateur Radio licenses in 2004, and Amateur Radio in Sweden is “permission free,” but prospective radio amateurs still must pass an examination. A certificate and a call sign, valid for life, are issued without any future fees. Up until now, the maximum permitted power on most HF bands has been 1 kW with no additional authorization required.

“It will be interesting to see how many active [Swedish] operators will apply for high-power permits,” said Henryk Kotowski, SM0JHF, who alerted ARRL to the release of the official PTS order. “I will not. There is a general trend to use less power and smarter, efficient modes.”

Under the amended regulations, radio amateurs would have to apply for permission to run more than 200 W on 160 (1,810 - 1,850 kHz only), 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 2 meters, as well as 70 centimeters, and the 1.2, 5.6, 10, 24, 47 GHz, and higher Amateur Radio allocations.

Power restrictions would continue to apply on the 2,200 and 630-meter bands (1 W ERP), on certain segments of 160 meters, and on 60 meters (15 W EIRP), 30 meters (150 W PEP), and 6 meters (200 W PEP). The new regulations would require contesting and moonbounce enthusiasts to register their fixed installations in order to use a high-power amplifier. The fee to register to operate with more than 200 W PEP would be approximately $32 US.

Permits will be issued for 3 years and renewed automatically, assuming the conditions for granting the permit are still met and comply with all rules. Individuals or clubs may register up to five different fixed locations.

-ARRL Letter

Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 Quietly Killed Off

With the passing of H.R.5515, The National Defense Authorization Act, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (H.R.555) appears dead for this year.

What does the Amateur Radio Parity Act have to do with defense spending? H.R.555 was combined into the H.R.5515 defense spending bill where it passed the House. Once in the Senate, the Amateur Radio Parity Act language was quietly stripped out of the Defense bill. Your tax dollars at work.

-QRZ

Scouting’s 2018 Jamboree on the Air Set for October 19 - 21

Scouting organizations are still registering to participate in the 2018 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) over the October 19 - 21 weekend. With about 1 month to go, JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND, told ARRL that registration is “probably on target” at this point. US registrations stood at 235 as of the end of last week. Right after JOTA 2017, 489 US locations had signed up, although that included both Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) participants, which, Wilson said, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have “remained steadfast” in considering JOTA and JOTI as separate events, although, he noted, this is not the case at the world level.

“Our goals are primarily to grow participation,” Wilson told ARRL. “The World JOTA-JOTI Team has set a goal of 3 million participants by 2021; 2017 saw 1.5 million worldwide. Sign-ups at the world level right now are at 1,428 locations.” Wilson said that, in the US, many locations wait until the last minute to register their participation. In 2017, some 7,900 Scouts took part in JOTA, down by nearly 10,800 participants from 2016, but topping participation for 2014 and 2015. Total radio contact numbers were down from 2016 and 2015.

“We’ve also put in place a number of aids to help people improve their on-the-air experience, which will be challenging without sunspots,” Wilson pointed out. “We’ve provided a video of how to work HF for JOTA. We’ve also provided a quick reference card to help Scouts during the QSO.” Recommended JOTA frequencies are listed on the K2BSA website. “Operators should note that these frequencies are starting points to find QSOs,” Wilson added. “They can also turn the dial to find other stations on the air. It’s not like a repeater.” A list of Girl Scout activities supported by JOTA-JOTI has also been posted.

Held each year on the third full weekend in October, JOTA is the world’s largest Scouting event. JOTA uses Amateur Radio to link Scouts and hams around the world. Scouts of any age and gender can participate, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and Venturers.

Radio amateurs at the local level are encouraged to work with a scout council or unit to set up a JOTA station or arrange to have Scouts visit their shacks. “You can also participate just by making QSOs with the many JOTA stations that will be on the air,” Wilson said.

-ARRL Letter

ARRL Southeast Division Georgia State Net (GSN) Georgia CW Training Net (GTN) Georgia Skywarn/ WX4PTC Officers_Net Info_LocalClubs Membership Roster Membership Application Constitution & By Laws ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Upcoming Hamfests* Stone Mountain Hamfest Lawrenceville, GA November 3-4 MORE		As We Here In America Complain About Amateur Radio Rules, It Could Be Worse: Sweden’s Telecommunications Regulatory Agency to Require Fee to Run More than 200 Watts Effective on November 1, radio amateurs in Sweden who want to run more than 200 W PEP in certain Amateur Radio allocations will have to apply for a transmitter license to do so. Sweden’s telecoms agency PTS has announced a modified listing of license-free transmitters that spells out the changes for Amateur Radio and other services. Sweden eliminated Amateur Radio licenses in 2004, and Amateur Radio in Sweden is “permission free,” but prospective radio amateurs still must pass an examination. A certificate and a call sign, valid for life, are issued without any future fees. Up until now, the maximum permitted power on most HF bands has been 1 kW with no additional authorization required. “It will be interesting to see how many active [Swedish] operators will apply for high-power permits,” said Henryk Kotowski, SM0JHF, who alerted ARRL to the release of the official PTS order. “I will not. There is a general trend to use less power and smarter, efficient modes.” Under the amended regulations, radio amateurs would have to apply for permission to run more than 200 W on 160 (1,810 - 1,850 kHz only), 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 2 meters, as well as 70 centimeters, and the 1.2, 5.6, 10, 24, 47 GHz, and higher Amateur Radio allocations. Power restrictions would continue to apply on the 2,200 and 630-meter bands (1 W ERP), on certain segments of 160 meters, and on 60 meters (15 W EIRP), 30 meters (150 W PEP), and 6 meters (200 W PEP). The new regulations would require contesting and moonbounce enthusiasts to register their fixed installations in order to use a high-power amplifier. The fee to register to operate with more than 200 W PEP would be approximately $32 US. Permits will be issued for 3 years and renewed automatically, assuming the conditions for granting the permit are still met and comply with all rules. Individuals or clubs may register up to five different fixed locations. -ARRL Letter Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 Quietly Killed Off With the passing of H.R.5515, The National Defense Authorization Act, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (H.R.555) appears dead for this year. What does the Amateur Radio Parity Act have to do with defense spending? H.R.555 was combined into the H.R.5515 defense spending bill where it passed the House. Once in the Senate, the Amateur Radio Parity Act language was quietly stripped out of the Defense bill. Your tax dollars at work. -QRZ Scouting’s 2018 Jamboree on the Air Set for October 19 - 21 Scouting organizations are still registering to participate in the 2018 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) over the October 19 - 21 weekend. With about 1 month to go, JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND, told ARRL that registration is “probably on target” at this point. US registrations stood at 235 as of the end of last week. Right after JOTA 2017, 489 US locations had signed up, although that included both Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) participants, which, Wilson said, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have “remained steadfast” in considering JOTA and JOTI as separate events, although, he noted, this is not the case at the world level. “Our goals are primarily to grow participation,” Wilson told ARRL. “The World JOTA-JOTI Team has set a goal of 3 million participants by 2021; 2017 saw 1.5 million worldwide. Sign-ups at the world level right now are at 1,428 locations.” Wilson said that, in the US, many locations wait until the last minute to register their participation. In 2017, some 7,900 Scouts took part in JOTA, down by nearly 10,800 participants from 2016, but topping participation for 2014 and 2015. Total radio contact numbers were down from 2016 and 2015. “We’ve also put in place a number of aids to help people improve their on-the-air experience, which will be challenging without sunspots,” Wilson pointed out. “We’ve provided a video of how to work HF for JOTA. We’ve also provided a quick reference card to help Scouts during the QSO.” Recommended JOTA frequencies are listed on the K2BSA website. “Operators should note that these frequencies are starting points to find QSOs,” Wilson added. “They can also turn the dial to find other stations on the air. It’s not like a repeater.” A list of Girl Scout activities supported by JOTA-JOTI has also been posted. Held each year on the third full weekend in October, JOTA is the world’s largest Scouting event. JOTA uses Amateur Radio to link Scouts and hams around the world. Scouts of any age and gender can participate, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and Venturers. Radio amateurs at the local level are encouraged to work with a scout council or unit to set up a JOTA station or arrange to have Scouts visit their shacks. “You can also participate just by making QSOs with the many JOTA stations that will be on the air,” Wilson said. -ARRL Letter
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