Use of Radio at Sporting and Other Public Events Information for Organisers and Participants

Many different kinds of event may involve the use of radio – from village fetes to music, religious or other festivals, rock concerts, air shows, regattas and sporting events. This information sheet is for anyone intending to use radio transmitters at events like these. It summarises the Wireless Telegraphy Act licensing arrangements.

Purposes for which radio might be used

The main examples of radio use at sporting and public events are:

safety of life – medical and first aid (including St John's Ambulance Brigade), and site, event and spectator safety. (NB there are also separate arrangements for emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance, but the radio frequencies for these services are controlled by the Home Office, and are not available for civilian use.)

organisers' support services – such as site security, crowd control, time keeping, catering, and car parking.

participants' requirements – for voice and data communications.

programme making – radio microphones, sound, vision and data links for the production of outside broadcasts, films and tapes.

restricted radio services – short term sound broadcasting services associated with a particular event. A guidance note on these services is available from the Radio Authority. Contact details are given at the end of this sheet.

restricted television services – short term television broadcasting services associated with a particular event. A guidance note on these services is available from the Independent Television Commission. Contact details are given at the end of this sheet.

Radio options available

The use of radio for organisers' support services and safety of life is most likely to fall into one of the following – licence categories:

PBR suppliers licence

The PBR suppliers licence authorises radio suppliers to hire PMR and/or radio paging equipment to users for periods of up to one year.

Where the equipment to be used is hired from a radio supplier he will hold the necessary licence and be responsible for supplying the correct type of equipment operating on the channels set down in his licence.

Private Business Radio (PBR)

The use of PBR is permitted providing that the schedule of the licence specifies use at the location of the event. The licence schedule should be available for inspection if requested.

PMR 446

PMR is a licence exempt short range voice communication system which provides a basic radio service for both business and non – business users. It is ideal for providing communications over short distances. PMR 446 replaces the Short Range Business Radio (SRBR), Speech Service.

Citizens Band (CB)

The use of CB is permitted providing that a current CB licence is held and that the equipment is fully within UK specifications for such use. The use of amplifiers is not permitted. The licence should be available for inspection if requested.

The special radio requirements of organisers and participants (as well as programme makers) – such as radio microphones, wireless public address and communications related to participants' safety and medical and technical back – up (including telemetry) are covered by:

Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE)

JFMG Ltd distribute licences in this category on behalf of the Secretary of State – contact details are shown at the end of this information sheet.

International motor sports events

Major international motor sports events such as the British Formula One Motor Racing Grand Prix attract many participants from the UK and overseas. Their radio requirements often cannot be met by the arrangements described above. The Agency normally handles the licensing of their requirements. The Programme Making and Special Events Unit is the contact point – see details at the end of this sheet.

Licensing requirements

It is illegal to use radio transmitters except under a licence issued under the Wireless. Telegraphy Act 1949 or where there is a specific exemption from licensing

Unauthorised use of equipment that requires a licence is illegal and could mean immediate termination of use, a fine of up to f5,000 and/or six months' imprisonment on summary conviction or on conviction on indictment an unlimited fine and two years' imprisonment and forfeiture of equipment.

Who should hold a licence?

Generally it is the user of the equipment, although where equipment is hired on a short term basis the licensee will often be the hire provider, who will permit his customer to use the equipment under contract. The user is required to comply with the licence conditions, which should be passed on by the hire provider.

Applications for licences

For users needing to apply for licences contact points are given in RA Information Sheet RA2. It is available from the Agency Library – contact details are given at the end of this sheet.

There is a fee for each type of licence, and licence fees are usually reviewed annually. The current fees are set out in Information Sheet RA2.

Role of event organisers

If the Agency considers it necessary to take enforcement action against unauthorised use of equipment it will be taken against the licensee or user of the equipment, not the event organiser unless the organiser has knowingly permitted the unlicensed use. It is however in the organiser's interests for radio operations at the event to run smoothly, and we would hope that event organisers and governing bodies would actively encourage participants to comply with the UK's requirements for the legal use of radio. It would help if they distributed copies of this information sheet to all those involved with an event who might use radio, well before the event is due to take place.

Contact points

The contact for each licence category is given in information sheet RA2, available from the RA Library (see below).

General enquiries and enquiries about international motor sports events should be addressed to:

RA2/Programme Making
and Special Events Section
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7211 0879/0811
Fax: ++44 (0)20 7211 0899

Radiocommunications Agency Information and Library Service

RA information sheets are available (free of charge) from:

The Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7211 0502/0505
Fax: ++44 (0)20 72110507
Email: library.ra@gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.radio.gov.uk

A full list of current information documents, application forms and publications is contained in RA0.

The Agency's Regional Offices are listed on information sheet RA 309 available from the Library.

JFMG Ltd – Address and contact points

JFMG Ltd
33-34 Alfred Place
London
WC1E 7DP
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7299 8660
Fax: ++44 (0)20 7299 8661
Email: info@jfmg.co.uk
website: www.jfmg.co.uk

The JFMG office is open 9.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday except at bank holidays. Outside those hours a co – ordinator is available for emergency frequency assignments.
Tel.: 07050 177335

The Radio Authority, dealing with Restricted Radio Services, can be contacted at

The Development Officer
The Radio Authority
Holbrook House
14 Great Queen Street
Holborn
London
WC2B 5DG
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7430 2724
Fax: ++44 (0)20 7405 7053

The Independent Television Commission, dealing with Restricted Television Services, can be contacted at

33 Foley Street
London
W1 P 7LB
Tel: ++44 (0)20 7255 3000

The Federation of Communication Services, representing suppliers of radio equipment and providers of short – term hire and other radio facilities, can be contacted at

Keswick House
207 Anerley Road
London
SE20 8ER
Tel: ++44 (0)181 778 5656

RA 328 (Rev 2) May 2002