Hobby Radio

You Will Hobby Radio! There is a chap who prefers the hobby radio method, after all it is without doubt the future of MW radio. So let's understand why this is, by taking a few of his quotes....

"There is No more money mileage left in it for Ofcom. The MW cash cow is DEAD!! No operator in his right mind wants to give Ofcom MW licence money. AND the listeners are gone. Time now for MW to become our very own Hobby music / Amateur radio band. To be acceptable to all, hobby radio would need similar rules to Amateur Radio (no politics or controversial stuff), and to be inside the MW broadcasting band. Play the music you like, as long as it's not offensive, and be considerate to other radio users".

OK then, so OFCOM can no longer milk this particular cow, seems a reasonable enough assumption, despite any data or shall we say facts supporting the point, and at what price for the Hobby Radio enthusiast? Well initially just a small one, like no free speech, but who want's that when you can get to play your records, but how can we make it work I hear you (not) asking?

"Legal access to MW is best for all. Ofcom would benefit, as the locations of all TX's would be known (as in Amateur Radio), in the unlikely event of interference. Also, the argument of some pirates that they would have no listeners is not valid, as they could use the MW / SW transmissions to make listeners aware of their online streams, and vice versa. Of course, commercial advertising would not be allowed, and also political propaganda. That is basically the same as Amateur radio, but with non controversial music being used. It's a good plan, and would satisfy over 90% of radio enthusiasts, and because the TX locations would not be secret, of great interest to MW DX'ers. It would be interesting how far away the hobby music stations could be received. Radio DX'ing has many enthusiasts, who would then become regular listeners to the hobby stations and their online streams. Folk, such as Garry and Neil, and Steve (Album zone) could then put their streams on real radio, making it all come really alive, like the Dutch scene."

Well that could not be clearer! Well maybe just a tad more. So Pirates have nothing to worry about because their online streams can be advertised on a medium that is dead or dying but suddenly full of radio enthusiasts playing their record collections & DXing, why had I not thought of that.  Those online pirates eh, pirating away all day on the internet. But let's keep the whole thing simple.

"An interesting point (but not with any argument intended), is that using Morse is a vital ingredient of radio research. All initial testing of any new radio method, ALWAYS requires the use of Morse!! This was proved again only this evening, trying to set up something radio with a very close radio friend and colleague"

Yep Morse code, good old Morse code, would not be without it myself, although I am still a little keen on semaphore. Talking about Free radio I take it that it will all be free.

"I don't think Hobby Radio will add anything to anyone's purse strings. However, if it does not come here, a new 'raft' of legislation is on the way under the 'harm' ethos. This is happening now in the USA, and will effectively end ALL Free Radio, and will be a certainty here if we are not part of the EEC (which is not that much against free and hobby radio). The FCC is being given the authority to jail and fine all involved with free radio, so we better hope we get 'Hobby', because if not, after Brexit, the will be NO unlicensed free radio in the UK".

You what!

"Outside the EU, and after a year or so after Brexit, you will say goodbye to all Free Radio, and most web streaming that has no official approval (Trump is creating this legislation). This (in the UK) will be covered by the 'harm' papers, and will be a similar 'copy' of the incoming USA (Trump) media laws. Offshore radio back in the 60's violated international 'radio' laws, and so had to go. The BBC played no part in this, and the push to create the MOA came mainly from the Dutch authorities who like to follow the ITU agreements. If Ronan and the others had applied to the IIU first, things would be very different today. Today's PM Caroline follows the ITU plan by being on 648 MW. Low power MW stations (due to the small range) do not need to comply to the ITU arrangements".

Well he's being blamed for pretty much everything else that's bad on the planet so why not add threatening Hobby Radio to Donald's collection of wrongs. Still back to the money how much will this all cost?

"Garden shed free hobby radio costs almost zero, and will return on MW, and maybe also on VHF band 2 after digital switch over. If Brexit happens, the chances will be less, unless Trump and Co. can be persuaded".

So just to be clear Donald is running OFCOM?  - OK then, I have been a little sarcastic with my comments so just to be fair and in your own words, reassure us that free speech is allowed within hobby radio, or at the very least a daft joke or comment made on air can be forgiven, and people in general and within the law can air their opinions.

"I have a very long and close working association with MoD, and I can assure you 'free speech' (I assume you mean political and / or controversial stuff) on ANY platform will never be allowed. I am proposing something (Hobby music radio) that is 'allowable, BUT it MUST have the same basic guidelines as Amateur Radio. If you listen very carefully to the 'tolerated' Dutch pirates, and the 'city block' London pirates, you will NEVER EVER find any of them doing political rants. One presenter (Lion King) on a 'city block' pirate station (Omega Radio, I think) did a poor taste Jewish joke, and that station was busted within hours by Ofcom with heavy armed Police backing. 'Lion King' was sent to court for racialism, and also 'banned' by all other 'city block' pirates, who know not to EVER go down the 'free speech' road. They play their music, and promote their community gigs. Some even do adverts promoting the civvy Police and have UK Forces recruitment adds!! Creeping 'oils the wheels' of free radio. Some, like Rinse, have been given a licence to broadcast!! So that's how it is. If free radio is used as a political tool, hobby radio will never happen in the UK. Notice too that Garry's streams NEVER carry any present day politics. If they did carry present day politics (nostalgic 'Big L' original 60's vintage News snippets have no relevance today), those streams would be taken down in less than a day. Also staying inside the broadcasting bands is vital, as Amateurs stay in theirs. It's common sense, and consideration to others, and the Authorities at the end of the day, (David LW).

So in summary Hobby Radio is fine as long as you keep your mouth shut, play your record collection, and indulge in a spot of leisurely DXing.

But has anyone thought of using Morse code to share their views and ideas. That's it! Hobby Morse, the last bastion of free speech, I'll have a word with Donald who is a big fan of the first amendment, you never know he might even let us use our mouths.