Larkspur / Clansman info

[Topdog]

Hi Chaps, I have got a complete Larkspur set up including C13 which, I believe, is working but it is not in the Ferret now.

I have been offered some Clansman Kit in exchange. I already have a Clansman intercom fitted and want to intsall a radio so I can talk to others out there.

What should I ask for the Larkspur kit and what is a good exchange (what do I need)?

Thanks for your help

Dave

[Marmite!!]

I already have a Clansman intercom fitted and want to intsall a radio so I can talk to others out there.

 

 

Not unless you have a licence & you can not transmit on restricted frequencies :police:

 

Info on licences here... http://www.rsgb.org/getlicence/

[Marmite!!]

 

Guide to the use of radio transmitters and the law

 

Introduction

This explains the regulations which govern the civil use of radio equipment in the UK. Please note that we can do no more than summarise here the main points of the law. Anyone in any doubt about their own legal position should consult a legal adviser.

 

Why regulate radio?

The use of radio continues to expand rapidly. This applies to business, broadcasting and leisure activities. The use of radio is carefully planned to give as high a standard of service as possible. Unauthorised use of radio can cause harmful interference to legitimate users. Safety of life may be put at risk if, for example, the radios used by emergency services suffer interference. The successful running of a business can be affected by radio interference. Listeners can be prevented from enjoying their favourite radio station by interference. This is why Ofcom takes action to prevent interference and why the penalties that may be imposed by the courts for unlawful use of radio can be heavy.

 

The international position

Radio does not stop at frontiers. That is why the use of radio is regulated on a worldwide basis, by the Radio Regulations agreed at meetings of the International Telecommunications Union. The Radio Regulations are legally binding in international law on Member States, including the UK.

 

UK legislation

The main legislation is the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949, 1967 (WT Acts 1949 and 1967) the Telecommunications Act 1984 (T Act 1984) and the Communications Act 2003. This legislation empowers Ofcom to:

 

issue and charge for licences for the installation and use of radio;

make and enforce regulations on the requirements to be met by users,

manufacturers and importers of radio apparatus and of equipment which could cause radio interference;

restrict manufacture, sale, import and possession of specified radio apparatus.

Transmitting offences under the WT Act 1949 attract a maximum penalty of £5000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

 

How licensing works

Section 1 of the WT Act 1949 forbids the installation or use of wireless telegraphy equipment (radio) in the UK mainland including Northern Ireland and territorial waters, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, unless an appropriate licence has been obtained from Ofcom, or there are Regulations in force exempting it from licensing.

 

Licences are usually granted subject to terms, provisions and limitations. These may include:

 

use only on a certain frequency

use only with a certain power and certain level of emission

use must not cause undue interference

use only within a certain geographical area

use only of apparatus which meets specified requirements

access for inspection by Ofcom staff and close down in the event of interference being caused.

Licences may be varied either to reflect changes which affect all licensees or a class of licensee (e.g. extending the Amateur Radio band) or to deal with individual problems (such as interference). Notice of Variation will always be issued and affected individuals will be given a chance to comment.

 

Licences usually expire automatically on non payment of fees and where there is a frequency assignment attached to a licence it may not be possible to reassign the same frequency if a new licence is subsequently taken out.

 

Licences may be revoked if a user has demonstrated an unsuitability for the responsibility of holding a licence (e.g. by persistently contravening their licence or causing interference). Again those affected would be given a chance to comment on a revocation.

 

Exemptions from licensing

Deregulation is an important aim where this can be done without damage to licensed use. Much radio apparatus is therefore exempted from licensing. In particular:

 

apparatus capable only of reception (but not television sets);

cordless telephones and mobile telephone handsets;

metal detectors and model control equipment; and

a wide range of short range devices.

Generally equipment is only exempt if it meets specified requirements. Some cordless telephones do not meet these requirements and therefore are not licence exempt - in fact their possession is not allowed.

 

Control of interference

The use of radio is also controlled by Regulations and Orders made under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts for the purpose of preventing or reducing the risk of interference.

 

Orders made under section 7 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 are used to control the import, sale, manufacture or possession of apparatus which is particularly liable to cause interference. Currently Orders cover non-approved cordless telephones, CB radios and videosenders as follows:

 

Cordless Telephones

The Wireless Telegraphy (Cordless Telephone Apparatus) (Restriction and Marking Order) 1999 applies to non-compliant cordless telephones operating below 853MHz. Cordless telephones (not to be confused with mobile telephones) operate by the use of a low power radio link between the handset and base station, which in turn is connected to the public telephone network. Certain high power cordless telephones operating on frequencies below 853MHz can cause interference to other radio users.

 

Citizens' Band (CB) Radio

The Wireless Telegraphy (Citizens' Band and Amateur Apparatus) (Various Provisions) Order 1998 applies to non-compliant Citizens' Band radios operating in the frequency band 26.1-28MHz and which can cause interference to TV reception and other radio services.

 

Videosenders

The Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Order 1998 applies to Videosenders which transmit in the frequency band 470-854MHz. Videosenders are devices which incorporate a radio transmitter, enabling pictures to be sent from a video recorder or camera to a separate television in, for example, another room of the house. Legal videosenders transmit in the frequency band 1389 - 1399 MHz and are exempt from the requirement of a licence. Illegal videosenders transmitting in the frequency band 470 - 854 MHz can cause of interference to TV reception and frequencies used by the emergency services.

 

Regulations are also made in relation to certain specified electrical or electronic apparatus which has the ability to interfere with radio. These Regulations can set requirements which the specified apparatus must comply with if it is to be used and/or sold, hired, manufactured or imported and cover interference from:

 

Citizens' Band radio

Electro-Medical Apparatus

Radio Frequency Heating Apparatus

Household Appliances, Portable Tools etc.

Fluorescent Lighting Apparatus

Ignition Apparatus

Non-compliance with interference regulations is dealt with in some cases by serving a notice on the user. A person who knows of the existence of such a notice but uses or permits apparatus to be used in breach of the notice is guilty of an offence under the Act.

 

In addition, the European Community (EC) Directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility has been implemented in the UK by the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 1992. The Regulations apply to all electronic and electrical apparatus, both commercial and domestic, including radio and television receivers, and cover emissions and immunity. The Regulations do not apply to radio equipment which is subject to the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal (RTTE) Regulations 2000 which give force to the EC R&TTE Directive. These Regulations set out the procedures, including conformity assessment, that must be applied before radio (or telecommunications terminal) equipment can be placed on the market.

Content of transmissions

The Wireless Telegraphy (Content of Transmission) Regulations 1988 make it a specific offence to send grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages. In considering such cases, it is important to remember that the courts need evidence that the language used in the alleged offence is worse than that encountered in everyday life.

 

What can go wrong?

Most people are reasonably law-abiding but some users of radio have very little idea of how radio works and may be tempted not to comply with the licensing regime. Ofcom will usually try to help people bring themselves within the law but where necessary will prosecute or take other enforcement action under Wireless Telegraphy legislation to prevent interference. We can seize apparatus found in unlawful use, and courts can order its forfeiture.

 

Illegal broadcasting stations

Illegal broadcasting stations (pirate radio) can cause serious and prolonged interference to a whole range of radio users including the emergency services. They also work against the best interests of the community by stealing frequencies and, by being unregulated, cause unfair competition against legal local stations. On conviction, a court may order all or any of the apparatus of the station, including record collections, portable telephones, etc. to be forfeited to Ofcom. In addition, anyone convicted of a radio offence could find themselves barred from a career in broadcasting.

 

Private Mobile Radio (PMR)

To enable large numbers of users to operate on relatively few frequencies, the use of radio by businesses such as taxi firms has to be carefully controlled. Frequencies are allocated on a shared basis and licence conditions imposed so as to permit use by the maximum number of operators; unlicensed use, or use in contravention of licence conditions, can jeopardise the business activities of licensed operators and interfere with safety of life services. We therefore systematically inspect PMR stations. Enforcement action is taken against those found operating without a licence or in contravention of their licence conditions.

 

Marine and aeronautical radio

For those who use mobile radio in connection with maritime or aeronautical operations, abuse of the radio spectrum is an obvious hazard to safety of life, as well as to commercial activities. The use of radio equipment in ships and aircraft requires a licence. Operators of ship radio equipment also require an appropriate certificate of competence to operate. Ofcom undertakes campaigns to ensure all operators are aware of these requirements and obtain the necessary licence and certificate. We also inspect many marine business and port operations stations and issue new licences for these and some aeronautical ground stations.

 

Citizens' Band Radio

Unlicensed use of CB equipment can be a major cause of interference. Illegal use of CB can cause interference to domestic television and radio reception and the emergency services. Operators of legal CB sets sometimes use transmitter powers or aerials greater than those provided for under the licence conditions. Such use amounts to unlicensed use and prosecutions may be brought. It can cause serious interference to other radio users and prevent responsible users of CB equipment from operating.

 

Amateur radio

Licenses for amateur radio authorise use of a range of frequencies allocated to those who use radio as a hobby rather than for business purposes. Licences are granted only to applicants who have reached a certain level of competence in the theoretical and practical use of radio. Unfortunately there is a minority which seeks to pursue the hobby without the necessary qualifications or licence. Some deliberately cause interference to amateur frequencies, either by jamming them or by transmitting music, obscenities or other forms of abuse.

 

Short range radio devices

More and more convenience devices now utilise radio in their operation. Car alarms, wireless door chimes and garage door openers are common examples. Unfortunately not all of these are manufactured in accordance with the relevant technical requirements and it is an offence contrary to the RTTE Regulations to place on the market non-compliant apparatus. The use of the following short range devices is an offence:

 

FM Modulators (also known as car baby devices) - the use of the FM broadcast band to transmit a radio signal from a device used in a vehicle to the car radio is illegal. These devices also include CD players and attachments for mobile telephones. Such use - despite the relative short range involved - is subject to licensing under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. As the FM broadcast band is allocated for the exclusive use of licensed broadcasters no other systems are permitted to operate within the band. Use of these systems therefore constitutes an offence.

Phone jammers (or blockers) - The use of equipment to jam mobile phones (or any other radio signals) is illegal - regardless as to the location where they are used. A mobile phone jammer is a transmitter and therefore a licence is required to use one. However, because the sole effect of jammers is to disrupt licensed radio services i.e. mobile phones, we do not issue licenses allowing their use. Ofcom considers that the use of jamming devices poses an uncontrollable threat to the operation of the UK licenced networks.

Who gets prosecuted?

The largest proportion of prosecutions under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts are for breaches of Section 1 of WT Act 1949. Such breaches take one of two forms, either the user:

 

has no licence at all, or

has installed or is using radio equipment outside the terms of the licence or

exemption.

In the interests of an interference free service and especially if there is a risk to safety, we may well have to close down a radio transmitter when it is causing problems.

 

Other offences under WT Act 1949

Section 5 of the WT Act 1949 is concerned with the content of messages sent by radio, Section 5(1)(a) is concerned with the sending of a message which, in the knowledge of the sender is false or misleading and is likely to prejudice the efficiency of any safety of life service or endanger safety. Section 5(1)(b)(i) covers the use of WT apparatus to gain information as to the contents of a message whether or not the information is passed on or whether the recipient acts on any information so received. Sub-section 5(1)(b)(ii) deals with the disclosure of such information. Section 13 makes the use of any apparatus for the purpose of interfering with any wireless telegraphy an offence.

 

Search warrants

A Justice of the Peace, or in Scotland a Sheriff may grant a search warrant under Section 15 of the WT Act 1949, valid for one month, allowing those authorised by Ofcom to enter premises etc with or without constables and to examine and test any apparatus found on such premises.

 

Under Section 79(2) of the T Act 1984, the warrant may authorise the persons authorised by Ofcom to seize and detain for the purposes of any proceedings in relation to offences or forfeiture proceedings any apparatus or thing found which appears to those authorised by Ofcom to have been used in connection with or to be evidence of the commission of any offence.

 

Seizure without warrant

Power is given in Section 79(3) of T Act 1984 for constables or those authorised by Ofcom, to seize and detain without warrant any apparatus or thing found where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that certain offences have been or are being committed.

Obstruction

Under Section 15(4) of the WT Act 1949 any person who intentionally obstructs an authorised enforcement officer exercising powers under the WT Act 1949 or the T Act 1984 or who fails or refuses without reasonable excuse to give any assistance which those Acts require may be guilty of an offence.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

 

The enforcement of this Act is the responsibility of the Home Office. Use of radio equipment to listen to radio messages carried on public or private telecommunications systems, including the cellular systems, can be an offence under this Act.

 

For more information please contact:

 

Ofcom Contact Centre

Riverside House

2a Southwark Bridge Road

London

SE1 9HA

Tel:020 7981 3040 (this number will be the cheapest option for most callers)

or

0845 456 3000 (this number may be cheaper for callers on the BT Light User Scheme calling from outside the London area)

Fax: 020 7981 3334 (this number will be the cheapest option for most callers)

or

0845 456 3333 (this number may be cheaper for callers on the BT Light User Scheme calling from outside the London area)

Email: contact@ofcom.org.uk

 

 

 

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/enforcement/rtandthelaw