SRD860

[26mb04]

Has anyone had any luck with the voice-capable allocations on 860MHz? IR2030 throws up a few possibilities for analogue/digital voice, although ERP limitations could be a problem for some commercial equipment.

I think, though, with the right modifications (ERP tuning, etc.) it would be possible to have CB-style voice net whilst still complying with IR2030. I'd be interested to see if anyone has done this, maybe with US 800MHz gear etc.

[Mikel]

I seem to remember a few discussions on this site a few years back regarding this band and if I remember correctly there was a lack of readily available radios on the market to use?

The Alan 860 is a handheld that works on the relevant frequencies and the Kenwood TK-980 is a higher powered mobile unit, any others though easy to get hold of?.

A lot of the threads seem to have been lost when the site changed hosts but if you run a search for srd860 in the top right search box you cans still find some interesting stuff.

This is interesting:

869.40-869.65 MHz is 500mW, I thought it was all 10 to 25mW!

The stuff below is from OFCOM doc IR 2030:

IR2030/1/19
2010/0168/UK
Oct 2010
Non-specific short-range devices

Equipment may be used airborne

869.40-869.65 MHz

500 mW e.r.p. Channel spacing 25 kHz

Consecutive channels may be combined where a larger bandwidth is
required, due to the modulation of the signal, up to the
maximum sub-band frequency allocation.

Techniques to access spectrum and mitigate interference that provide
at least equivalent performance to the techniques described in
harmonised standards adopted under Directive 1999/5/EC must be
used. This can include for example Listen Before Talk. Alternatively
a duty cycle limit of 10 % may be used.
(page 20)

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/ ... r-2030.pdf

[26mb04]

There's a new statement from Ofcom regarding SRD allocations. Oddly, the usage is mentioned as "non-specific", but the remarks indicate specific usage. Ofcom ambiguity at its finest.

It's based on decision 2018/1538/EU. The Ofcom documents are linked below, until Ofcom change the links in a few minutes:

Statement on Short Range Devices

Regulation Impact Assessment

Original consultation document

[Mikel]

The statement above relating to the new legislation (Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption and Amendment)(Amendment) Regulations 2020) states the following:

'The new regulations harmonise the technical conditions for spectrum use by SRDs within the 874 to 874.4 and 915 to 919.4 MHz frequency bands'.

So unless I'm missing something (highly likely!) the 500mW allocation 869.40-869.65 MHz is unaffected?

looks interesting for experimenting with as long as the equipment is readily available and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[troffasky]

This is interesting:

869.40-869.65 MHz is 500mW, I thought it was all 10 to 25mW!

The stuff below is from OFCOM doc IR 2030:

IR2030/1/19
2010/0168/UK

I've looked over this trying to find a catch and I haven't found one [yet].
I am not sure where you get page 20 from, I make it 23/24 or 25/26, depending whether I believe the PDF reader or the page numbers in the document. This references "2013/752/EU Band No.54b", googling that lead me to here:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content ... 52&from=EN

and the only restriction I can see is against using analogue video. So fill yer boots, once you've built something you can use! Or can you build something? Are you allowed to self-certify?

[Mikel]

Yes sorry, you are correct, the reference to page 20 was someone else’s error that I copied from a previous thread when I searched for srd860 in the top right search box and it is indeed the bottom of page 23 (document numbering) - that will teach me for being lazy!

The Alan 860 and Alinco DJS800 will work here as will the Kenwood TK-980 and the TK-940, I have reliably informed, I am led to believe that the Alan 860 needs a mod (solder links) to open up all bands A/B/C/D and switchable power 5mW / 500mW and the Alinco and the Kenwood's need programming software.

I do not have a massive amount of interest in this band at the moment but who knows, things might change. It is certainly an interesting area for discussion.