Miscellaneous

Enforcement Concordat

The Radiocommunications Agency has adopted the Cabinet Office Enforcement Concordat which was launched by the Government to improve regulatory services to business. The Concordat sets out the level of service and performance which the public and businesses can expect to receive.

Read the Agency Press Release.

Read the complete Cabinet Office Enforcement Concordat at:

http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/PublicSector/Enforcement/Enforcement.htm

FM MODULATION DEVICES

The Agency has been made aware of attempts to market equipment that uses the FM broadcast band to transmit a radio signal from a device used in a vehicle to the car radio via car radio aerial. These devices 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 and can lead to the prosecution of the user and supplier and seizure of the equipment causing interference and suppliers stock.

Those seeking further information should contact Martin Pike, by telephone on 020 7211 0460; fax 020 7211 0035 or email martin.pike@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Scanners

A "scanner" is the name given to a radio receiver that covers a wide range of frequencies and modes (AM, FM, SSB). Among its functions is normally the ability to automatically tune or 'scan' a pre-set range of frequencies. Scanners can be legally sold, bought and used, without the need to obtain a licence, providing they only receive radio services meant for general reception. Such services include Citizens' Band, Amateur, licensed broadcast radio and weather and navigation broadcasts.

It is illegal to use them to listen to licensed private services such as police and taxi radio transmissions. Listening in on such broadcasts is an offence under Section 5(1) (b) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. The RA information sheet, RA 169 Receive Only Radio - Scanners etc, provides further information on the legal use of scanners.

Industrial Scientific & Medical (ISM)

Some of the most difficult problems which the Agency endeavours to resolve are those of complaints of interference from ISM machines. Usually the machines in question are heavy-duty Radio Frequency Heating (RFH) machines.

RFH machines use high power radio waves as a source of heat in a variety of industrial applications including wood glue drying, plastic welding and food processing. The machines use designated frequency bands but are not wireless telegraphy apparatus as defined in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (WT Act 1949). Harmonic radiation from out of specification, especially old or poorly maintained, machines can cause interference to a variety of services including domestic TV and radio reception but, importantly some harmonics fall in the air traffic control band.

Section 10 of the WT Act 1949 provides for the regulation of non-wireless apparatus which causes undue interference to authorised radio services and there are limits set for out of band emissions. These limits are set out in table 1 of SI 1971 No 1675 Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Radio Frequency Heating Apparatus) Regulations 1971.

For further information see RA 340 Interference from Radio Frequency Heating (RFH) Machines.

ERA Technology Ltd was commissioned by the Agency to report on methods of combating interference from ISM equipment. ERA identified three techniques to reduce RFI:

i. polarisers to reduce radiated emissions from buildings

ii. vestibules to reduce harmonic emissions from conveyorised systems

iii. frequency stabilisation procedures

The complete report is available on the Agency's website www.radio.gov.uk/topics/research/topics/emc/harmonic/taskf.doc

Technical Advice

Technical advice on all aspects of work involving enforcement policy is available. Apart from providing technical support between headquarters and local office staff, the Agency contributes to, and initiates research, on various interference problems. Recent work, for example, has involved studies on how to resolve interference from Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment . The Agency liases with numerous outside bodies on such problems, including Government Departments, manufacturers, users and others.

For advice and information on specific technical aspects involving interference matters contact: Mike Lipscomb at: mike.lipscomb@ra.gsi.gov.uk