GB2RS News Sunday the 25th of February 2024 The news headlines: New amateur radio licence conditions are effective Amateurs are reminded to carry out EMF assessments The 2024 Band Plans have been published Ofcom has released its final decisions following its consultation on the amateur radio licensing framework last year. Revised licence conditions became effective on Wednesday the 21st of February 2024. The changes to licence conditions include the optional use of Regional Secondary Locators, increased transmitter power levels and provide a greater opportunity to bring newcomers into amateur radio. There are approximately 100,000 amateur radio licences issued by Ofcom in the UK. Ofcom says that it will shortly be contacting all licensees to provide each with their new licence document. Ofcom is aiming to reissue all UK amateur radio licences by the autumn of 2024. To help this process run as efficiently as possible, please ensure that your contact details are up to date in the Ofcom licensing system. Further updates to the amateur radio licensing framework, including the issuing of M8 and M9 Intermediate callsigns, will be rolled out in two more phases later this year and in the 2024/25 year. A video entitled ‘Updating the amateur radio licensing framework: RSGB overview of key changes’ is available in the Ofcom playlist on the RSGB’s YouTube channel which you can find at youtube.com/theRSGB  In it, RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB and RSGB Spectrum Forum Chair Murray Niman, G6JYB discuss the impact of the new rules. They also describe how the RSGB worked with Ofcom before and during the consultation period to arrive at the best outcome for all UK amateurs. Steve, Murray, and many people across the RSGB have also worked hard to engage with individual amateurs, and amateur radio clubs and groups, to help them prepare for the licensing changes. The RSGB will continue to release information and support for radio amateurs as we all adapt to the new arrangements. You can read more details and guidance on the Ofcom website at tinyurl.com/ARFEB2024 or via the RSGB website at rsgb.org/licensing Given that increased transmitter power limits are now available to UK licensees, all amateurs are reminded that they are required to carry out EMF assessments. To help you do this, advice and an online EMF calculator can be found at rsgb.org/emf The RSGB Band Plans for 2024 were published in the March issue of RadCom. They are also available via the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bandplans  This year’s changes support the new Ofcom licensing framework and guidance, particularly in the VHF and UHF bands. All amateurs are reminded to consult the Band Plans before operating. The list of amateur radio events taking place in British Science Week and the resource suggestions are growing. GB3RS, the radio station at the RSGB National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park could be available for QSOs with stations operating as part of British Science Week. Contact the RSGB’s BSW coordinator, Ian Neal, M0KEO at [email protected] and he will link you with the NRC Coordinator Martyn Baker, G0GMB to make your arrangements. Please continue to send to Ian the resources you’d like to share and details of British Science Week events you’re organising, including the times you’ll be on the air. The RSGB would like to inspire as many people and groups as possible to get involved! You can access all event and resource details on the RSGB website at rsgb.org/bsw The RSGB has been trialling paper wrappers for RadCom as part of its plans to be more environmentally friendly. The Society has been collating feedback and is aware that there have been particular problems with the glueing of the RadCom wrappers this month. Please be assured that the RSGB is discussing this with its supplier to try to resolve the problem before the next issue. During a year when the global landscape shifted once more, with conflicts across the world and economic difficulti