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Ofcom has issued a statement setting out what it describes as one of the most important decisions we have ever made: how to award the spectrum freed up by digital switchover, the digital dividend, for new users. The decision matters because the spectrum to be freed up is exceptional in that it can readily be used to provide high bandwidth services over long distances and into buildings, and because the opportunity to put this spectrum to new use does not arise often.

Ofcom favours a market led, service and technology neutral approach, arguing that giving spectrum to one use will tend to reduce flexibility and blunt incentives. The one exception to this market led approach is programme making and special events (PMSE) which already uses interleaved spectrum on a large scale. This is an extremely diverse community, and Ofcom considers that it would not be able to take part effectively in an auction. They will therefore award a package of interleaved spectrum to meet PMSE users needs.

Licence exempt use of interleaved spectrum will be allowed for (more…)

The UK regulator, Ofcom, has published a statement on the framework for managing spectrum used by licence-exempt devices. The Spectrum Framework Review sets out Ofcom’s overall strategy for the management of spectrum through a market-based approach. In line with their duty to maximise the value and efficiency derived from the spectrum, the SFR suggests that spectrum use should be licence-exempt if the value that is expected to be derived from the spectrum under such an approach is predicted to be greater than if spectrum use were licenced. It also notes that, where interference is unlikely, licencing may present an unnecessary overhead.

The Licence-Exemption Framework Review extends the SFR by examining a number of specific (more…)

Jason Buchanan, N1SU, has announced a new digital voice mode based on WinDRM called FDMDV which claims to offer robust digital voice communication with enhanced interference rejection. The new mode requires just 1.1kHz of bandwidth and is claimed to work at signal to noise ratios as low as 3dB. It is based on 15 carriers using the 1400 MELP codec with no FEC. Fourteen 50 baud QPSK carriers with 75Hz spacing surround a central BPSK carrier at twice the power level for auto tuning and frame indication. Higher power in each carrier combined with an occupied 1.1kHz bandwidth provides improved robustness over its WinDRM and DRMDV predecessors. A poster on the WinDRM Google Group noted that audio quality was fair at an SNR lower than DRM versions.

England’s most remote building Skiddaw House, described by Alfred Wainwright as being “at the back o’ beyond” has found a solution to its telecom problems. The house stands on a 1500ft high plateau between Skiddaw and Blencathra, three and a half miles from the nearest road, with no mains electricity, postal delivery, landline telephone, or mobile phone handset coverage. The problem facing Skiddaw House was how to operate as a viable hostel when no-one could contact it by phone or email to book accommodation. Fortunately, someone discovered the Burnside desktop mobile, and initial tests using an external aerial showed that the Vodafone GSM/GPRS network could provide reliable phone and data access. An ordinary desktop telephone and a PC connected to the Burnside unit now provide voice communication and internet access. And, since the Burnside unit can operate from a low voltage DC supply, the terminal is permanently powered by the hostel’s batteries, which in turn are charged from solar cells and a standby LPG-powered generator.

To celebrate the rebuilding of the WWII code breaking machine Colossus, the National Museum of Computing is running a challenge. During 15th and 16th November, historic Lorenz SZ42 ciphertext will be transmitted by radio amateurs at Heinz Nixdorf MuseumForum in Paderborn, Germany at the following times and frequencies preceded by a preamble in RTTY. The preamble message, which contains information needed to receive the SZ42 transmission is here. The ciphertext will be received by two teams of amateur codebreakers at Bletchley Park. The first will comprise members of the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society operating amateur radio station callsign GB2BP and using modern equipment. The second team will use the same type of equipment as used in the intercept (more…)

Motorola announced today that it will launch a tender offer to acquire a controlling interest in Vertex Standard, the parent company of Yaesu. Upon successful completion of the tender offer and subsequent restructuring process, Motorola will own 80% of Vertex Standard and Tokogiken, a privately held Japanese company controlled by Jun Hasegawa, current president and CEO of Vertex Standard, will retain 20% forming a joint venture. The Board of Directors of Vertex Standard have expressed their support of the tender offer. “As a leading provider and pioneer in 2-way radio communication solutions, Motorola is an excellent strategic partner for our business”, said Jun Hasegawa, president and CEO of Vertex Standard. “The joint venture will give Vertex Standard access to Motorola’s global distribution channels, presenting considerable opportunities for Vertex Standard to drive growth. We also expect to reduce costs, as we will benefit from Motorola’s global scale and resources. With Motorola, Vertex Standard will be stronger and better positioned to deliver new and innovative 2-way radio solutions for professionals and consumers around the world”. The joint venture will expand and develop a comprehensive suite of products to address the rapidly growing demand for 2-way radio solutions. Vertex Standard’s strength in the Amateur, Marine and Airband segments will also provide Motorola with access to new business opportunities. In addition, Vertex Standard’s solutions are highly complementary with Motorola’s products and will add greater depth and breadth to Motorola’s Government and Public Safety business. The venture will also provide additional engineering talent for Motorola.