Where does Amateur and hobby Radio fit into our Community? 

According to the minister responsible for planning in the UK, Amateur Radio is a service much the same as your mobile phone, radio or TV service.  He (or she) provides a planning service that allows for the sustainable development of communities and which is determined locally by the community.  Nationally, it regulates building in communities, and this includes telecommunications and therefore amateur radio.

Amateur radio has its own heritage, built up over a century or more by people in local communities.  Professionally our armed services have relied heavily on developments by radio amateurs to win wars, and it has welcomed radio operators into service, who have been part of the amateur radio community.  This is still relevant today.

Amateur Radio gives people a choice to expand their knowledge of the world, develop skills and have some fun in their lives.  As a hobby, it is practised for both professional and personal development (OFCOM)  in many and diverse communities.  In its basic form it involves learning how to operate a radio station and make contact between nations, at a community level (RSGB).  People have practised amateur radio for over a century in the community and today there are 85,000 people in the UK qualified at various levels of proficiency.  Its not all about radio, it can be about diversity, promoting community relations and physical and mental health (NHS).  Amateur radio is often used to augment the emergency services communications at a community level, local events such as park runs may be controlled by radio amateurs for example leaving the police free to concentrate on other work.  Radio amateurs exercise jointly with the local police and emergency planning departments.  They provide much needed global and local communications during disasters and emergencies according to the united nations.  Some people qualify to teach both young and older people to take up the hobby and radio amateurs often take part in local events and community projects to demonstrate the benefits and take pride in their achievements.  Local clubs are organised.

Recently when Astronaut Tim Peake was in orbit, the RSGB organised a number of events for schools throughout the country wishing to learn about technology and earth\space communications.  The children were able to speak to Tim.  This opportunity showcased the electronics and space industry encouraging children into the workforce as well as teaching them about how they can do it themselves from the community.

Why are you publishing these Frequently Asked Questions about Amateur Radio?

This FAQ is for members of the public living close by to radio amateurs who may have questions about the installation of equipment around the property they occupy.  It is also designed as a guideline for council workers dealing with complaints and for radio amateurs to consider when planning a system and dealing with neighbours.  It is NOT intended to become the frequently asked questions on planning matters.

Is this FAQ only applicable to Amateur Radio?

No.  Many Citizens in UK Encounter Toxic Neighbours when they set out to develop their property.  According to Neighbourhood watch only 52% of neighbours share a desire to get on with their neighbours.  Among the other 48% are a small number of people who get perverse pleasure from controlling their neighbours.

Other forms of hobby radio are found in operation in the back yards of UK Citizens.  This FAQ applies equally to those authorised by OFCOM, namely citizens band (CB) and private mobile radio aka PMR.

With thanks to an unknown artist this cartoon illustrates that neighbours may sometimes go to extreme lengths to discover what is going on in amateur radio stations in their community.

Who is the leading authority on planning matters related to Amateur Radio installations?

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is the authoritative source for all enquiries about planning matters and amateur radio antennas.

Does the RSGB represent all radio amateurs?

No.  Only members of the RSGB.  It does not normally represent CB or PMR Users unless they have a radio amateurs licence and are a member.

What are the benefits of Radio Hobbies to Health and Well-being?

The Chief Medical Officer (NHS), Mind (the menal health charity) and NHS Mental Health Trusts all recommend taking up a hobby.  This is especially important in later years.  It will help you to manage loneliness and keep your mind and body fit and active.  With radio hobbies you can generate a lot of fun and keep in touch with a community of like minded people who enjoy experimenting in radio, TV, satellite and data communications or just chatting.  A few hours a day, spent in the company of others or building a radio project are likely to be very satisfying, produce regular contact with people and release more of the essential hormones into your brain, than any anti-depressant tablet.  Radio sports are available and radio amateurs can keep physically fit by operating portable from hill top sites.  There is always something new to learn or challenge to achieve.  In UK Whatworkswellbeing.org are studying wellbeing in the community and workplace and provide additional resources on the topic.

For some further thoughts on the benefits of hobbies Here is a link to Age UKs Men in Sheds Project

What do Radio Hams do in their Spare Time?

One facet of the hobby that many amateurs enjoy is building and testing antenna systems that give their station optimum performance.  Radio Hams can operate in contests and gain certificates for the number of people or countries contacted etc.  They really want to have the best radio station they can afford that keeps them in touch with their community of like minded people, and they mainly spend time comparing signals, sending data, (Text or video) voice and morse code transmissions around the world.   As amateur radio is a service, he or she may be required to take part in disaster relief operations or assist the emergency services or red cross.  As amateur radio is a self training service the radio amateur will be learning and teaching others or simply discussing the match or family matters.   One British radio amateur kept the Falkland Islands Radio Station Live and gave a running commentary on the Argentinian invasion in 1982 – up until he was captured.

What is that Wire or Antenna?

To receive or transmit radio signals an antenna or antenna system is required.  In domestic radio sets the antenna can be very simple and built into the set itself.  To transmit a radio signal however requires an efficient antenna which can only perform well if it is constructed correctly.

Why does the antenna have to be so Large or Long?

To perform correctly the parts of the antenna that radiate a signal must be the correct length for the frequency in use.  As amateur radio uses radio waves of wavelength from 160m to a few centimetres in length, (divided up into a number of “bands” like the medium wave band or VHF Band).  For transmitting, the antenna length is critical for any given frequency and it can be quite long.  Each band requires a different antenna length.  Some compromise antennas have been developed that are shorter and more compact however performance may be an issue for some when it comes to using a compromise antenna.

Why are there so many different antennas in your system?

Amateurs use Long, Medium and Short Waves.  They also use Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) or 70cm.  Some amateur VHF and UHF Antenna resemble domestic VHF FM radio and TV Antennas.  The amateur experimenter will want to experiment with a variety of different antenna and radio sets which cover the frequencies he or she is interested in.  CB’ers use fixed length antenna, limited by their code of practice, as do PMR users.

What type of radiation does the antenna give off?

An antenna is said to radiate energy in the form of an electric or magnetic field.  This is non ionising radiation.  Antenna are usually designed to send out the maximum signal power all round or in a given direction.  Simple vertical antennas radiate all of the power in a circular pattern around it, (It stands to reason that if you are stood in a point on the circumference of a circle you will receive a charge equivalent to a very small part of the actual power transmitted from a vertical antenna.)

Many designs are arranged to push (or radiate) the maximum signal in a given direction while radiating none in others.  You may see such antenna being  pointed in a particular direction by a device known as a rotator which is used to point it at the other radio station.  These often resemble TV or domestic radio receiving antenna (which all point the same way – towards the TV transmitter).  FM Domestic radio antenna often benefit from a rotator to point it at the required station.  Its a way to receive the best signal for Hi-Fi enthusiasts.  CB antenna are designed to limit the power being radiated to a very low level.

What power does an amateur radio station produce?

In order to radiate or transmit a radio signal, an amateur has a choice of power levels usually ranging from low power, measured in milliwatts (which would light a torch bulb) and going up typically to one hundred watts – the same power as a household electric light bulb.  Amateurs are trained to keep power levels down as a condition of their licence.  Some amateur radio stations operate to legal limits of four hundred watts, for maximum performance.  Safety is also a part of the amateur radio exam syllabus.

Most amateur radio stations operate at power levels many times lower than those required to cause any harmful physiological effects – such as you would get from a nine hundred watt microwave oven if it was operated incorrectly for example.  Many radio amateurs live long lives working and playing with radio waves and suffer no ill effects.  CB Radios are designed to radiate limited, very low power levels in conjunction with a limited range of antennas so there is no danger that a CB or PMR radio will form a hazard and little chance it will interfere with other services like broadband and television sets (unless it is being operated illegally or misused).

Why does the antenna have to be so high?

Antennas that are in the clear from surrounding objects have a better chance of radiating as much power as possible in the required direction.  Sometimes signals are blocked by objects and the antenna is constructed to get the signal over any obstacles.

Can you do all that from a council house garden the size of a postage stamp?

Many amateur and CB radio operators operate from all sorts of properties ranging from flats and bungalows with small gardens, to medium sized properties in housing estates.  Some amateurs are lucky enough to buy their properties with a reasonable amount of real estate to accommodate their antenna systems, located in the best position to maximise signals.  The majority live in average size properties and design their antenna systems to take into account the space available.  Others rely on the generosity of their neighbours, who usually help by making allowances, such as being able to spread the antenna out across neighbouring properties.  Good neighbours are supportive in this respect and usually enjoy hearing what it’s about.

Do I have to put up with that eyesore in your Garden?

Antennas at the lower end of the frequency range tend to be constructed of copper wire and usually these are laid horizontally the same as telegraph wires.  As frequencies rise, the possibility to use copper, aluminium, wood and steel in the construction arises, giving a number of advantages.  Radio amateurs generally buy commercial antenna equipment which is well designed and engineered.  They realise that having structures to support the antenna in the garden is not “everybody’s cup of tea” but unless the property is in an area of outstanding natural beauty there will almost certainly be other radio masts nearby.  There are always pylons, telegraph poles or street level mobile phone antennas in any district.  These are allowed to exist under planning law.  They support your mobile phone or electricity supply or personal communications (landline or Broadband).  Most of these are in broad view at the front of our homes and earn revenue for their owners.  Compared to these objects, most amateur radio antennas are located out of the public gaze, in our back gardens according to the minister for planning.

Before labelling an amateur radio antenna an eyesore you should look around the local area.  If it contains uncollected rubbish, dumped scrap vehicles or has any of the objects in this discussion then we think it only fair to review it in context.  The average solar power installation or wind generator is much more visible than the average amateur radio antenna which can be designed to blend in at the rear of the property – unlike most solar installations.  Most amateurs would view their antenna and any supporting structure required to position or hold it at the correct height as essential to their hobby and therefore their lives.  They pride themselves in engineering (and camouflaging) the system and will happily “live and let live” with whatever their neighbours construct in their gardens.  Also there is no law to say a neighbour is entitled to a view across his neighbours property.

Will it cause interference to my TV or Radio?

It may, this is usually due to a fault in TV or Radio receivers.  In order to be immune to radio frequency interference, domestic equipment must be designed and produced to a standard.  When this standard is not adhered to, equipment may succumb to nearby radio signals.

To limit the chance of interfering, Radio Hams are obliged to comply with licensing laws while CB’ers are required to obey a code of practice provided by the licensing authority, OFCOM.  For amateur radio these rules state the radio station must not cause interference.  Hams are trained to avoid interfering and have access to technical resources to help them (RSGB).  CB’ers are limited by the power level of the radio and its antenna, complying with regulations

Who do I call if I find my broadband, radio or TV is being interfered with?

Your broadband service provider is well equipped to locate sources of interference.  They have powers that enable them to investigate and advise the owner of defective equipment interfering with their services.  The may ask the owner to close down and or modify any sources of interference found operating near their users equipment.  They should be the first port of call in any complaint involving broadband.

The BBC are responsible for complaints about interference to TV and Radio.  OFCOM provides a service and you can contact them or the BBC through their web portal here.

Will the council be able to help if I have a complaint?

Only where there is a planning or public safety issue.  Local councils are not equipped or trained to deal with interference.  You should approach the appropriate services and the council should direct you to them (see above).  See questions related to planning below.

What can I do if I am approached by the council as a result of a complaint by a neighbour?  

You should mention If:

• You have been approached by any of your neighbours or,
• You have not been approached by a neighbour with a complaint or
• You are in any sort of dispute with a neighbour.

What if the council write to me about my antenna asking me to take it down or remove it?

You are not obliged to take it down unless an enforcement notice is served and then you have a right to appeal against the enforcement.  If you do receive an enforcement notice then  See Page 82 of RADCOM March 2018 for an article entitled an Unexpected Visitor.  (this link may not be available yet and is only available to radio amateurs who have registered with the RSGB).  Initially you should enter into a constructive dialog about your development with the official concerned.  If you have constructed a de-minimis or permitted development point that out to begin with.

Is there a code of practice covering backyard antenna construction?

Yes.  See the March 2018 Edition of RADCOM at the link above for further details.  Like everyone we are obliged to get on with our neighbours.  But we aren’t obliged to put up with certain types of behaviour.

The amateur radio code of practice is about maintaining friendly relations.  This is the best situation of all because it creates an atmosphere of co-operation between neighbours.  This is known as cohesion.

What if my neighbour is behaving badly towards me or my family? 

If you think your neighbour is behaving badly you are entitled to take action.  Certain behaviour can be persistent or unwanted such as trespass, criminal damage or excessive surveillance, and may themselves lead to further unwanted behaviour.  This can be criminal behaviour under the freedom from harassment act et al.  The Suzy Lamplugh Trust runs the National Stalking Helpline and can help you to decide how to tackle it.

Who should I go to if I have a complaint about a radio antenna?

Firstly find out if it legal or not by approaching the constructor.  Although planning regulations may not explicitly say whether a particular type of antenna is permitted or not, the amateur constructor is subject to planning law, which allows permitted developments for example.  The amateur radio code of practice covers planning regulations.  Individual citizens are entitled to deal with complaints about them or their property.  The complainer should first approach the neighbour with a view to rectifying any perceived problem.  He or she should also think about mediation and gathering evidence about any perceived wrong doing before before taking a complaint to the council or reporting the object to the planning department.

What if I find my antenna subject to spurious or malicious complaints?

Where a complainer is anonymous, persistent, multiple, direct to an authority or comes from one or more neighbours it will be seen as anti social.  In these circumstances the recipient may feel that it is persistent unwanted behaviour or stalking or harassment.

At the outset, he or she will keep a log of all dates and timings, notes of any conversations and the outcomes and also retain all correspondence.  There is a right to video or record the conversation for the record.

Will my own devices, radio or TV interfere with an amateur radio station?

They may.  A number of domestic devices such as computers, network equipment (Wifi Routers, power line network extenders etc) LED Lights, Street lights and other electronic devices, if defective, will cause interference to an amateur radio station.  OFCOM are the authority for tracking and dealing with interference from such devices, which are usually defective or sub-standard in their design or build.

Does Amateur or Hobby radio Transmissions Cause Cancer?

There is no evidence that Amateur Radio causes cancer or any other illness.  Many amateur radio operators spend much of their lives working in professional and amateur communication and have subsequently been exposed to Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation for long periods of time.  They also have lived to an old age.  While direct exposure to high power radio signals can cause physical injury such as RF burns.  Amateur radio is governed by health and safety instructions and safe power limits are set.  Additionally Radio hams have to answer questions in an examination before being allowed to operate.  They are also subject to inspection.  CB’ers and PMR users are limited to very low transmitting power.

Further reading:  https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet which states that “Radio frequency (RF) energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage that can lead to cancer”.

What are the most common examples of Radio Transmitters in use in the UK?

All emergency services people have personal radio sets and operate mobile sets from the car as well as carrying mobile phones.  Wifi covers almost the entire country and their low power transmitters are installed in most houses.  There are two mobile phones for every man woman and child in Great Britain and to support these there are transmitters located by several mobile phone companies in most urban areas, (that’s housing estates and town centres.) as well as hilltop sites.  Citizens Band and Private Mobile Radio.  There are less amateur radio transmitters than all of these services.

Do Amateur Radio or Hobby radios affect Cardiac Pacemakers?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/PacemakerImplantation/Pages/riskpage.aspx is the NHS FAQ regarding Pacemakers.  According to this, the chances of a problem with the pacemaker itself are low.  Any signs and symptoms which you think are related to a pacemaker should be checked by a doctor straight away for a diagnosis.

Is your antenna insured for public liability?

Radio amateurs have access to public liability insurance.

Is your antenna system safe?

There is a wealth of information about safety available to radio amateurs and training and support available via relevant experts when dealing with the physical construction of an antenna.  Amateurs are allowed to construct supports under the terms of the town and country planning act, and sometimes these can look quite substantial.  The constructor should always consult a builder and plan his supports according to standards.

All of these topics including Health and Safety are covered in the syllabus of the amateur radio exams.  Before raising any concerns to the authorities, please ask the owner about the individual design if you are interested in its safety aspects.  An amateur should be able to show you documents relating to most aspects of his radio station including its design specification.

Will your antenna system attract lightning?

It may.  So may your house, high buildings or street furniture (lamp posts etc).  Fortunately lightning strikes to amateur radio antenna are reasonably rare and precautions are available to protect equipment connected to the antenna.  Even if the antenna is higher than the surrounding properties it does not necessarily follow that it will be hit before anything else in the area.

Other than planning law, do radio amateurs have to comply with any other regulations?

In council housing or rented accommodation, non domestic radio antennas are sometimes classed as alterations to the building and need the permission of the landlord before being constructed.  The landlord may wish the radio amateur to prove that they have planning permission or an exemption if it is available.  For council tenants you may ask the council for a copy of their rules.  See also RADCOM March 2018 an Unexpected Visitor.

What are the most common nuisances that can be attributed to amateur radio antenna?

Noise.  Often people complain about noise from the antenna wires or structure caused by the wind.  As this is only a problem usually when it is windy, or the location is extremely remote and exposed, occasions when it occurs will be few and far between.  Moreover it will be unlikely that this type of noise is solely attributable to the antenna, but may come from telegraph wires or the buildings surrounding the antenna themselves.  If you can hear the Ham next door getting excited or talking loudly to his compatriots, then you might like to measure the noise level before raising a complaint to the council or have them measure it.   It would be fair to consider some level of sound proofing but most hams would be prepared to carry out changes to their own property or operating hours in order not to inconvenience our neighbours.  (As data transmissions is an available choice you may never hear any noise as this is carried out via a keyboard and screen.)

What forms of nuisance are suffered by radio amateurs?

Fake News.   Radio is a technical hobby.  It requires study of the underlying theory behind it.  There is an epidemic of fake news in the media, made famous by the US President Donald Trump.  Usually this is designed to cause trouble by presenting unsubstantiated facts of dubious origin.  Before responding to any sources of information it is best to consult an authoritative source before drawing any conclusions.

Malicious reports  about antenna on the amateurs property.   See www.strugl.org

Faulty or poorly designed equipment. In neighbouring properties, equipment often causes interference to the amateur radio service.  If you are approached by or on behalf of an amateur radio service user they may ask you to help to test for sources of “noise” caused by defective equipment.  This is usually quite simple and involves switching it off to help identify the source.  If faulty or noisy equipment is identified during the test, they may ask you to repair or replace it or offer to help you to do so, by paying for the repair for example.  Do I have to cooperate if I am asked to switch off offending equipment?  You do.  Under the wireless telegraphy act, it is an offence to interfere with radio and tv services and he may ask OFCOM to investigate it.  They may serve an enforcement notice.

What planning process is applicable to amateur and hobby radio?

The same process applicable to property developments in the UK.

Do I have to have my neighbours permission to put up an amateur radio or CB antenna?

Only if its on their property.  Check your deeds or contract.  What you do on your property is your business but if it is rented you must seek your landlords permission.  If you own the property you should obey or address any covenants (listed in the deeds).

As part of the planning process you will have to canvass the neighbours for their views on any planning applications you submit.

Do Radio Amateurs have a sense of Humour?  

We think so, after all its a hobby and humour is part of enjoying your life.

With thanks to Hatlo for this image from ca 1935 Radio amateurs have traditionally taken the blame for some very unusual things.

Copyright: SDPlus 2017 and the Armando Martins Campaign.  Not to be reproduced without permission of the author.