71 and 146 MHz - Ofcom want your input NOW!

[g8gtz]

I've just received this from John G4SWX (RSGB VHF manager) - Ofcom are asking what the current level of activity is before they renew the NoV on these bands.

So, I need your input NOW if you have used 71 or 146MHz in the past year - I'd prefer this did not turn in to a general discussion (there is another thread currently running on this topic) so only reply if you have used the bands or have definite plans to do so in the next 3 months.

I really hope there has been siginificant activity but I fear not.....

I have not had any real feedback on 146 & 71MHz DATV activity for quite some time.

As part of the process of requesting a renewal for permission to operate on 146 and 71 MHz we submitted the number of NoVs issued last year to Ofcom.

"During the past year 272 NoVs for 146-147MHz and 89 NoVs for 70.5-71.5MHz have been issued, a total increase of 146 on the previous 12 months."

This prompted a question in reply from Ofcom:
"Can I ask, given the report highlighting the issues with Amateur TV and Digital do you know what the current level of activity is on these bands and what they are mainly using it for?"

From my own observations DATV produces the most activity. Currently data is but a few NPR links. Perhaps the TV community could cast some light/explain what activity there actually is and how frequently 146/71MHz DATV activity occurs? (Weekdays/weekends, activity weekends etc)

[g0mjw]

Yes, both in activity weekends.

[g8gtz]

Mike, we need more details - roughly how many QSOs over the year, if this was just weekends etc?

BTW - the NoV will NOT be issued until we provide this information so there is no point emailing John or others asking when the NoVs will be issued until we have provided evidence that we use the extra bands.

[g0mjw]

For me, just the activity weekends, because that is when there is activity. I tried a few 2m transmissions from Winter Hill over Christmas last year but there was zero activity. However, I can't operate any more because the NOV expired at the end of October.

When I get a change I will try 66ks in the all mode section, might work a lot better with more power. There isn't any activity on 2m here so it won't trouble anyone. Not so from Winter Hill, there is still 2m FM/SSB/Digital activity, so 2m DATV in the amateur band would cause issues.

Mike

[g8lce]

146.5MHz is regularly used down here in Cornwall as it is one of the inputs to GB3NQ, So that is atleast once a week on Tuesdays and at other times.

Martin G8LCE

[G8WTR]

Arrived late to this and only had use of the 146MHz NOV for 2 days before it expired. I'd been testing SDR Television across the shack with 1mw output from the LibreSDR whilst awaiting the arrival of a 2m bandpass filter and 3watt amp. Now confined to a dummy load and searching for news of a renewal when I found this post. If granted will be experimenting with another BATC member some 6km away.

Simon G8WTR

[Graham_J_G3VKV]

I expect to be using my 146.5MHz DATV in the coming year (and other bands)
subject to NOV - times - any time not just weekends
Available for tests with others in the area