Ofcom EMF safety calculator & ICNIRP Guidelines

[Transwarp]

It will just give credence to the ignorati in society who have a grudge against individuals who happen to be amateur licencees. Remember the TV programme a few years back about a woman who stated that the antennae of a local operator (3 element beam) had caused 6 neigbours to contract cancer?

My point on being fair game exactly.

[Andy]

Yes I recall that as well. The woman (and her merry band) was an absolute witch, determined to get the guy off the air whatever. Sadly, the Amateur didn't do himself any favours as his behaviour was utterly uncompromising and rather childish. Didn't it turn out he had flouted some kind of planning reg as well? Ah, just remembered - he had planning permission for his mast at his old address, but he thought the permission would follow him to his new home. It doesn't.

[Andy]

Scuse me if this has been raised before, but where does this leave CB'ers? They are non-licensed and untraceable, but they radiate RF just the same as Amateurs. Will all CB sets come with an addendum that just instructs users to adhere to the guidelines?

[MrWeetabix]

CBers should only be using 4w

[M3PIE]

EMF: RSGB release Pre-assessed Configuration for half-wave dipole
The RSGB has released the first in a series of Pre-assessed Configurations (PAC) which, if required, amateurs may choose to use to assist with the new EMF regulation

PAC-1 covers half-wave dipoles on the bands from 1.8 to 7.0 MHz (160m to 40m).

Note: The document presents “work in progress” on a complex subject that is still under development; details are subject to change and PAC-1 and referenced material may be updated or replaced.

Direct link to PDF
http://rsgb.org/main/files/2021/04/PAC- ... m-v1.0.pdf

Draft versions of Pre-assessed configurations will be posted on the RSGB EMF page as they are prepared, check
https://rsgb.org/emf

[M3PIE]

Scuse me if this has been raised before, but where does this leave CB'ers? They are non-licensed and untraceable, but they radiate RF just the same as Amateurs. Will all CB sets come with an addendum that just instructs users to adhere to the guidelines?

LISTEN TO THE Q&A on this video about CB/11M users.


Update on new Ofcom EMF regulations
As part of the RSGB AGM held on April 24, John Rogers M0JAV provided an update on the new Ofcom EMF licence regulations, the video is now available on YouTube

His presentation, which is followed by a question and answer session, starts at 2:14:25 into the AGM video.

Watch The Radio Society of Great Britain 2021 AGM


You can download the latest version of the RSGB-Ofcom EMF Calculator from the RSGB EMF page at
https://rsgb.org/emf

[M3PIE]

Ofcom has updated its web page stating its final decision on EMF.

Details regarding the changes to licence conditions are also outlined https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/emf

The RSGB is updating its advice so keep checking our dedicated EMF web page over the next few days. https://rsgb.org/main/technical/emc/emf-exposure/

We will publish updated guidance on that page and will also be updating our calculator in line with the Ofcom calculator changes.

[Andy]

I've just been reading through that stuff. All about how we will be required to comply and keep records etc. Ferk me, do they mean the way THEY were so vigilant when they abysmally failed to stop the infestation of noise generating wall-warts, phone chargers, laptop supplies LED lighting and a million and one other unfiltered devices into our market? I'll be a vigilant as they were and sod it. And if they come round for a 'chat' I'll tell them. Do I sound angry?

[M3PIE]

Ofcom updates EMF guidance document and calculator

The guidance document What you need to know as an amateur radio user has been updated, as has the Ofcom EMF calculator.

The guide provides an overview of what you need to do to comply with Ofcom’s EMF licence condition
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/ ... -radio.pdf

Links to all of the documents and calculators can be found on our website

This updated guide is much simplified from the earlier version and now comprises just four steps.

Step 1 – Do I need to comply?

Step 2 – Carrying out a compliance check

Step 3 – Managing compliance

Step 4 – Keeping an appropriate compliance record

Carrying out a compliance check to find exclusion zones now refers to just three methods: using an Ofcom table to look up distances, using the Ofcom or RSGB calculator, or using a pre-assessed configuration to give less conservative exclusion zones.

If you need to use more advanced techniques like detailed modelling or measurements you are referred to Ofcom’s “Guidance on EMF Compliance and Enforcement “ previously published for all spectrum users.

Ofcom has also published (for all spectrum users) an updated calculator v 1.0. which allows for use of ERP or EIRP and provides a power calculation tool.

The RSGB calculator v10, tailored specifically for amateur use, will be released soon which includes mode dependent power reductions, updated feeder losses and antenna gain tables and the updated low power compliance condition.

Remember the key dates for compliance are:

18 November 2021 for frequencies you are using at or above 110 MHz
18 May 2022 for frequencies you are using above 10 MHz but below 110 MHz
18 November 2022 for frequencies you are using at or below 10 MHz

[109 Jim]

I've just been reading through that stuff. All about how we will be required to comply and keep records etc. Ferk me, do they mean the way THEY were so vigilant when they abysmally failed to stop the infestation of noise generating wall-warts, phone chargers, laptop supplies LED lighting and a million and one other unfiltered devices into our market? I'll be a vigilant as they were and sod it. And if they come round for a 'chat' I'll tell them. Do I sound angry?

i totally agree , they check things when it suits them and all the **** they let in that causes qrm make them money somewhere down the line

[M3PIE]

The RSGB’s specialist EMF group has helped Ofcom customise its guidance for radio amateurs. This updated guide is much simplified from the earlier version and now comprises just four steps:

Step 1 - Do I need to comply?
Step 2 - Carrying out a compliance check
Step 3 - Managing compliance
Step 4 – Keeping an appropriate compliance record

The revised guidance document "What you need to know as an Amateur Radio user" has now been released and the Ofcom EMF calculator has been updated.

Links to all of the documents and calculators can be found on www.rsgb.org/emf

[M3PIE]

RSGB EMF calculator updated
Following the update from Ofcom to its guidance “What you need to know as an Amateur Radio user” we have updated the RSGB calculator to version rsgb10a. You can find this on the EMF pages of the website
https://rsgb.org/main/technical/emc/emf-exposure/
Please treat this as a beta release and report any problems to [email protected]

Changes

The main changes are to implement band dependent antenna gain
We have also changed the low power compliance condition to less than 10W EIRP average and less than 100W EIRP peak in line with Ofcom’s change to guidance. The other changes made by Ofcom to its calculator were already in the RSGB version
Sundry formatting changes have been made to try to prevent text overflowing boxes reported by some users
The cable attenuation table and the antenna gain table have been left visible (not hidden) so you can help us check the values used.

Work continues on frequencies below 10MHz and using ICNIRP 2020 levels (instead of ICNIRP 1998 levels).

[M3PIE]

New RSGB-Ofcom EMF Calculator available
The RSGB has announced on Twitter that an updated version of the EMF Calculator is now available for download

The RSGB tweet read:

Following update from @Ofcom to its guidance “What you need to know as an Amateur Radio user” we've updated RSGB calculator to version rsgb10a. Find this on our website: http://rsgb.org/emf
Please treat this as a beta release and report any problems to [email protected] #hamr

[M3PIE]

Join Tonight @ 8 on Monday.
Don’t forget to join the RSGB’s Tonight @ 8 webinar on Monday evening.

RSGB EMC Chair John Rogers, M0JAV will explain how to assess your station against ICNIRP EMF levels.

The EMC Committee has been working hard to help all radio amateurs understand more about how to comply with the new Ofcom licence conditions.

So take this chance to hear from an expert and ask questions.

Tonight @ 8 will take a break in August 2021 and then will be back with another great programme for the autumn.

To find out more about this and previous webinars, go to rsgb.org/webinars.

[pete_uk]

Anyone know anyone who has made any changes to their setup because of this?