Some extra frequencies to use UK
- Werthers
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Some extra frequencies to use UK
So seeing that amateur radio users no longer use these frequencies and generally do not give a s*** about the VHF/UHF bands anymore it be better for them to be used and enjoyed by somebody like the PMR446 users rather them just sitting dormant 24/7. you could probably make use of the remaining analog repeaters too that also sit dormant and many are being taken down anyway from lack of use.
Make sure to keep away from active frequencies like the DMR amateur frequencies because those do get used and keep away from inputs and outputs of repeaters.
The following frequencies should be fine to use as they are not really used anymore. If you do hear some Hams on these "which is a rarity" just wait until they have finished or go to another frequency that's not in use.
VHF: 145.200 MHz to 145.575 MHz
UHF: 433.400 MHz
433.425 MHz
433.450 MHz
433.475 MHz
433.500 MHz
433.525 MHz
433.550 MHz
433.575 MHz
Although these frequencies are not used anymore it is illegal to operate on amateur frequencies without a valid amateur radio license but no more illegal than it is running extra power on PMR446 use at your own risk and have fun.
Make sure to keep away from active frequencies like the DMR amateur frequencies because those do get used and keep away from inputs and outputs of repeaters.
The following frequencies should be fine to use as they are not really used anymore. If you do hear some Hams on these "which is a rarity" just wait until they have finished or go to another frequency that's not in use.
VHF: 145.200 MHz to 145.575 MHz
UHF: 433.400 MHz
433.425 MHz
433.450 MHz
433.475 MHz
433.500 MHz
433.525 MHz
433.550 MHz
433.575 MHz
Although these frequencies are not used anymore it is illegal to operate on amateur frequencies without a valid amateur radio license but no more illegal than it is running extra power on PMR446 use at your own risk and have fun.
- Tigersaw
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
145.5 is the VHF calling channel, and then usually you go up to 525, 550, 575 so I'd avoid them - just because there is no activity its often monitored by hams who just want to complain about misuse.
- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
Why hams would want to spend their days monitoring radio silence is beyond me, surly it would be more fun to use the bands. I don't condone misuse but hams are responsible for it for letting the hobby go to ****. They'll moan when ofcom take the bands away from us due to them not being used anymore, luckily I don't think 2 meters is at risk of going just yet as there isn't really that much of a demand for frequencies in the VHF spectrum, however 70cms will be the first to go and digital modes aren't exactly buzzing with activity neither I give it another 10 years before DMR and HF is dead. Its a real shame and it pains me to admit that.
We are actually privileged to have the use of so many bands like VHF/UHF but yet nobody appreciates them or bothers to use them anymore.
- Tigersaw
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
They can take the lot, just leave 80m, 10/11m and 446 as far as I'm concerned!
- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
Why use 446 low powered two way radio when you can do better set ups on 70cms?
That brings me to another question... why limited your self's to just a few bands? 2 meters and 70cms opens a whole lot to do more. I fail to see the logic behind it.
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
2 and 70 were/are best suited mobile use along with the repeater network, but as you know hardly used now, for a variety of good reasons.
who said 446 is low power? If you are advocating using 2/70 without a license, then I'm saying you can use 446 at 5 watts. My old DMR sets do that just fine, and support digital too.
who said 446 is low power? If you are advocating using 2/70 without a license, then I'm saying you can use 446 at 5 watts. My old DMR sets do that just fine, and support digital too.
- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
I would generally like to know the variety of good reasons why 2/70 isn't used other than for mobile use?Tigersaw wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 15:46 2 and 70 were/are best suited mobile use along with the repeater network, but as you know hardly used now, for a variety of good reasons.
who said 446 is low power? If you are advocating using 2/70 without a license, then I'm saying you can use 446 at 5 watts. My old DMR sets do that just fine, and support digital too.
I wasn't advocating the unlicensed use of the 2/70 bands I was just simply saying that if Hams are not using them then other people may as well make use of them rather than 2/70 sitting dormant.
I have no problem with anybody running a couple extra watts on PMR446 and 5 watts is still low power, we both have ham licenses and so do many other people out there so why choose 5 watts on PMR446 when you can run 10/50/400 watts on 70cms or 2 meters with decent antennas? for one its legal and two you get much more range.
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
I said 2/70 is best suited for mobile use - most of the sets were and still are designed for vehicle install, the repeater network evolved to allow greater reach and give range to mobile/mobile or mobile/home use. Home/home use of 2/70 has never been great in my experience, always involved one end at least being portable.
Nowadays though, its not easy and grey area legal wise (not in proper control of vehicle) to use a mobile set, it can be difficult to fit a set in a vehicle (my Suzuki manual has a specific warning about fitting a radio regarding activating airbags, interfering with radar guidance) and finally its just a bit old fashioned compared with the current always on cellular based communication like zello, whatsapp or even just phone calls.
Nowadays though, its not easy and grey area legal wise (not in proper control of vehicle) to use a mobile set, it can be difficult to fit a set in a vehicle (my Suzuki manual has a specific warning about fitting a radio regarding activating airbags, interfering with radar guidance) and finally its just a bit old fashioned compared with the current always on cellular based communication like zello, whatsapp or even just phone calls.
- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
2 meters is active tonight I'm just listening to a convo about taking some black bags of old bed lining to the charity shop with lots of swearing because the charity shop didn't want it and talk of politics as well. Its made me feel better anyway hearing activity on 2 meters.Tigersaw wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 19:45 I said 2/70 is best suited for mobile use - most of the sets were and still are designed for vehicle install, the repeater network evolved to allow greater reach and give range to mobile/mobile or mobile/home use. Home/home use of 2/70 has never been great in my experience, always involved one end at least being portable.
Nowadays though, its not easy and grey area legal wise (not in proper control of vehicle) to use a mobile set, it can be difficult to fit a set in a vehicle (my Suzuki manual has a specific warning about fitting a radio regarding activating airbags, interfering with radar guidance) and finally its just a bit old fashioned compared with the current always on cellular based communication like zello, whatsapp or even just phone calls.
Yep I can understand the legal issues with using the radio in a car in regards to it activating airbags however nobody I know has had issues. Personally I think 2 meters simplex works well home to home but 70cms simplex home to home use will require running power due to its short range 25 to 50 watts is still good enough to be heard on 70cms simplex most run about that on 2 meters and blast out on simplex for miles.
Cellular based communication like zello, whatsapp don't even come into the acquisition of the ham radio hobby. Amatuer radio is a "radio hobby" and not social media or used for phone communications.
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
You need to look again at Zello. Its closer to ham radio than it is to social media, especially the channels set up to resemble ham radio.
I have an Inrico 'walkie talkie' that looks and operates just like a 2m set, it uses radio waves to link with the cellular network (I'd argue that with it reaching several Km it trumps DMR which only uses radio for a few hundred metres of its journey) and its free to use with worldwide reliable access.
ooh but what when the cellular network fails.. it doesn't.
ooh but what when you are out of range of a mast.. hardly ever happens, don't think it has.
ooh but its not real radio.. nope, nor is DMR, FT8 etc if that's the argument.
Now if I wanted to have a chat with you tonight, what would be the best way? 80m might still be open but doubt it. Too far away for VHF. Too far away for CB.
Zello would work just fine.
I have an Inrico 'walkie talkie' that looks and operates just like a 2m set, it uses radio waves to link with the cellular network (I'd argue that with it reaching several Km it trumps DMR which only uses radio for a few hundred metres of its journey) and its free to use with worldwide reliable access.
ooh but what when the cellular network fails.. it doesn't.
ooh but what when you are out of range of a mast.. hardly ever happens, don't think it has.
ooh but its not real radio.. nope, nor is DMR, FT8 etc if that's the argument.
Now if I wanted to have a chat with you tonight, what would be the best way? 80m might still be open but doubt it. Too far away for VHF. Too far away for CB.
Zello would work just fine.
- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
I'd prefer DMR to Zello.Tigersaw wrote: ↑14 Nov 2019, 20:54 You need to look again at Zello. Its closer to ham radio than it is to social media, especially the channels set up to resemble ham radio.
I have an Inrico 'walkie talkie' that looks and operates just like a 2m set, it uses radio waves to link with the cellular network (I'd argue that with it reaching several Km it trumps DMR which only uses radio for a few hundred metres of its journey) and its free to use with worldwide reliable access.
ooh but what when the cellular network fails.. it doesn't.
ooh but what when you are out of range of a mast.. hardly ever happens, don't think it has.
ooh but its not real radio.. nope, nor is DMR, FT8 etc if that's the argument.
Now if I wanted to have a chat with you tonight, what would be the best way? 80m might still be open but doubt it. Too far away for VHF. Too far away for CB.
Zello would work just fine.
When the Tories finally destroy the country and people start rioting like its the zombie appcolips those who have barricaded themselves inside the safety of there home they still be able to communicate using radio.
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
My thoughts exactly, I like radio because it interests me in many ways, not because I want to communicate on a regular basis (although I can, and do, also use it for just that! & let's face it, that's what radio was developed for really so why not)
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
Don't forget the secret SRD frequency on 40.6MHz. It's the EU version of our UK allocation on 49.8MHz. I think there is space for about 4 channels at 12.5kHz spacing, probably more if you can go down to 10kHz. I wouldn't have thought there would be enough traffic for any bleedover problems at 10kHz, but then there won't be enough to need that many channels anyway! As far as ERP is concerned I think it's the same as the 49MHz allocation, but do check the relevant exemption documents IF you can find them! I'm not sure if we'll keep this one after the eventual B-word, I'm hoping Ofcom will just forget it even exists...
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- Werthers
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
In the US you can get ex PMR radios that will do the 40MHz frequencies right up to Six Meters although FM only. There's no longer a demand for VHF low band stuff so a lot of the spectrum is up for grabs but whether the UK gets anymore VHF low band spectrum added to the Amateur bands is another story seeing that Six and Four Meters is hardly used as it is. Ireland got more spectrum added recently to there's so its a strong possibility that the UK will get some more. Ofcom has already allowed some Amateur beacons to operate in the new low band VHF frequencies.26mb04 wrote: ↑16 Nov 2019, 01:03 Don't forget the secret SRD frequency on 40.6MHz. It's the EU version of our UK allocation on 49.8MHz. I think there is space for about 4 channels at 12.5kHz spacing, probably more if you can go down to 10kHz. I wouldn't have thought there would be enough traffic for any bleedover problems at 10kHz, but then there won't be enough to need that many channels anyway! As far as ERP is concerned I think it's the same as the 49MHz allocation, but do check the relevant exemption documents IF you can find them! I'm not sure if we'll keep this one after the eventual B-word, I'm hoping Ofcom will just forget it even exists...
There is also a thread on here somewhere about a petition for a VHF high band CB 143MHz but ofcom didn't put it through I expect it was mainly due to the fact that nobody would actually use it plus they might lose sales on PMR licenses.
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Re: Some extra frequencies to use UK
Just one thing you fail to point out.
70cms ham band is a secondary allocation. We are allowed to share the band, but the primary users are Military.
Just because you cant hear people on 70cms does not mean they are not there.
If a military station comes onto the frequency you are operating on and asks you to kindly move. YOU MOVE!
So encouraging pirates onto ham bands is not a good option especially if you dont know who the primary users of that band are.
Try doing a bit of homework before giving away something that isnt yours to give.
70cms ham band is a secondary allocation. We are allowed to share the band, but the primary users are Military.
Just because you cant hear people on 70cms does not mean they are not there.
If a military station comes onto the frequency you are operating on and asks you to kindly move. YOU MOVE!
So encouraging pirates onto ham bands is not a good option especially if you dont know who the primary users of that band are.
Try doing a bit of homework before giving away something that isnt yours to give.
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