The following document is the provisional Radio Guideline document. It is expected that some changes will be made to this in the following weeks, and we will not be held liable for the consequences of any such changes.
The full force and effect of these guidelines will come into force upon 1st August 1999, and will remain in effect until 1st January 2001.
Radio equipment that is already upon site prior to 1st August 1999, will immediately become subject to these guidelines and no latitude will be granted because the equipment is already on site. Users are therefore advised to apply this document with immediate effect.
General.
In view of the very high demand for radio equipment at the Dome, a survey of requirements is currently being undertaken. It is envisaged that this process will take 2 months.
Upon completion of the survey a preliminary allocation of frequencies will be made.
It has already been decided to allocate all long term radio users (including radio microphone, talkback and two way radio) fixed site frequencies which will probably be in different frequency bands from their normal equipment, so users are advised not to order equipment until allocations are made. Please note also the requirements for CTCSS / DPL input protection on base stations.
Before this measure is considered unduly harsh, please consider that the decision has been made so that short term users may more easily obtain and operate equipment upon site without undue costs, and to reduce the likelihood of interference to and from existing primary users. Extra costs incurred by long term users should be weighed against significant reductions in interference problems, and the length and value of their contracts.
In many cases, particularly for walkie-talkie use, channels will be shared with other users, using CTCSS (PL) or DCS (DPL) to retain privacy. While we will endeavour to accommodate all genuine radio service needs, allocation of all (or any) channels requested by any applicant cannot be guaranteed.
A set of mandatory guidelines have been published in terms of equipment specification, power levels and other technical requirements to which all radio users will be subject. These requirements will, in many cases be more onerous than normal licensing requirements, but are designed to minimise interference problems.
An on site frequency allocation system is being put in place for all non JFMG users, and no on site use will be permitted without the necessary clearance.
JFMG will be making the frequency assignments in their spectrum (however even JFMG users will not be permitted to use equipment on site without our additional approval, and subject to the technical requirements) and JFMG have indicated that for long term users :-
1). Radio microphones will not be available at VHF, VHF ML (i.e. Band III) and Channel 69, but instead other channels at 470MHz to 860MHz (e.g. CH 35 – 40, Ch59 - 68) and elsewhere in the UHF spectrum will be made available.
2). Short term hire channels for PMR use will not be available, and instead UK general, site specific Licences or JFMG Licences will need to be applied for.
3). Radio Talkback may not be available at 455 / 468MHz, or 457 / 467MHz, and instead either 462 / 469 MHz or CH43 / 53 may be made available.
Allocation of Frequencies.
All radio users must apply to us for a permission to operate radio equipment upon site, this application must state the following :-
1). Period of use
2). Area of operation within the Dome site
3). Equipment type
4). Quantity of equipment
5). Use to which the equipment is to be put.
6). If a radio licence in respect of this equipment is held, and if so a copy must be submitted.
Applications must be made on a copy of the attached form ( to follow or available on application ), and faxed or posted to:
Mike Weaver Communications Ltd at our Coventry address.
Fax no.: 01203 602609
A separate application must be made in respect of each type of service required.
A separate application must be made for each period of service required.
Application forms will be dealt with in the order in which they are received.
Application forms received outside the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, will not normally be processed until the next working day, and the normal turn around time will be 4 hours. No charge will be made for this service.
When the application form is satisfactorily completed, and has passed technical approval, you will be faxed an approved form to accompany your equipment upon site, and for testing.
Dependent upon the duration of use, and equipment to be used a number of different procedures will be followed. In all cases, periods of use for 11 months or longer are classed as long term use.
Data use.
Users are reminded that there are very few 458 MHz data channels available. If it seems likely that all data channels will be oversubscribed NMEC will consider the merits of all applications and their use. There are some JFMG channels available for data, but these may not be suitable for equipment designed to operate at 458 MHz. We reserve the right to refuse to issue data allocations and designers must therefore consider other options.
Users are advised against using model aircraft radio control equipment at 35MHz as such use is illegal for controlling fixed equipment, and we cannot issue approvals for illegal use.
If the user has an UK 458 MHz Data Licence, or JFMG license, this must be submitted with their radio allocation request, and after approval the normal radio testing procedures will apply.
Walkie-Talkie radios.
If the user has an UK General licence, PMR licence or JFMG license, this must be submitted with their radio allocation request, and after approval the normal radio testing procedures will apply.
If the user requires long-term use, the user will be instructed to apply to the DTI for either an UK General license, or a site-specific licence or to the JFMG as appropriate. After the licence is issued a copy must be forwarded to us, to be attached to the allocation request, and after approval normal radio testing procedures will apply.
If the user requires short term use, there are 4 routes :-
1). Short Term Hire License. ( STH )
2). Short Range Business Radio ( SRBR )
3). PMR 446 ( 446 )
4). Broadcast Simplex Channels (JFMG ).
If the user has an UK General licence, PMR licence or JFMG license, a copy of it must be submitted with their radio allocation request, and after approval the normal radio testing procedures will apply.
Option 3 does not require a licence from the DTI, but still requires an allocation request and approval from ourselves. We are aware that SRBR and PMR446 radios are manufactured with all available channels, which normally cannot be removed, but users of these services are warned that if they operate these units on site, upon channels which have not been allocated, their approval to operate will be withdrawn.
Radio Talkback.
For all use, the user will be required to submit a normal application to JFMG for the licence. The JFMG will then allocate channels, but the user must send a copy of the licence to us, together with the allocation request, so that we may issue the allocation approval and normal radio testing procedures will then apply.
Radio Microphones.
Users must remember that there are very few channels available for short term use, and it may not always be possible to allocate normal frequencies, particularly as many manufacturers use different bandplans in CH 69 . Once all the normal channels have been allocated for any day, frequencies will be assigned outside the normal channels. Users who require multiple radio microphone channels for short term use may approach NMEC Sound Dept to make use of the radio microphones that NMEC hold (which operate on frequencies outside the normal channels) but no guarantee of availability can be given.
For short term use, after an allocation request has been made, we will issue an allocation in CH69 or VHF ML or VHF as requested, but we will still require a copy of the relevant license, normal radio microphone testing procedures will then apply.
For long-term use, the user will then be required to submit an application to JFMG for the licence. The JFMG will then allocate frequencies, but the user must send a copy of the licence to us with the allocation request, so that we may issue the allocation approval and normal radio microphone testing procedures will then apply.
Equipment Testing.
To ensure compliance with these guidelines a system of mandatory radio checking, approval and certification has been introduced. All radio equipment used upon site will have to be checked and certified, and any found in use without this approval will be liable to instant confiscation, and the removal of all future rights to use radio equipment on site.
No charge will be made for equipment testing and certification, but users will be responsible for any carriage costs.
An on site approval and testing facility is being set up, but until the period 27th December 1999 to 1st January 2000 this on site testing facility is likely to suffer lengthy delays.
To expedite the process and ensure that radio users can operate their equipment immediately upon arrival on site, users may, by prior appointment, send their equipment to our Coventry or Greenford workshops for certification. Upon satisfactory testing, the user will be issued with a certificate listing the equipment, the allowed frequencies, and an approval sticker will be affixed to the equipment.
The approval stickers will be colour coded with their expiration dates to make on site verification easier. The user will pay all carriage costs involved in this process, and all risk in the equipment remains that of the user while it is under our custody or control. It is the users responsibility to remove the labels at the end of the period of use, and neither NMEC nor ourselves will be liable for the costs of removing the labels.
When equipment is submitted for approval and testing it must be accompanied by the approved allocation request from ourselves.
As a further safeguard, an additional approval and testing certification procedure will be applied for all equipment to be used during the Opening Ceremony on 31st December 1999 to 1st January 2000. Equipment which may have already been approved and is in operation on site, together with any new equipment will need to be submitted for re-certification at the on site approval facility. An additional Opening Ceremony approval label will then be affixed to the equipment.
Equipment that fails approval testing will be returned to the user for adjustment, unless the user provides an order for us to make the necessary adjustments at normal commercial rates.
Mandatory requirements for Broadcasters Radio Talkback, PBR/PMR and SRBR equipment.
1). All radio users must bring a copy of their current radio licence and approved allocation request to site, and have it available for inspection at all times.
2). All base stations must have or have had a UK type approval certificate as a base station for Common Base Site operation
All base stations located within the Dome are required to be fitted with CTCSS or DPL protection on the receiver inputs. We will allocate a CTCCS / DPL tone to be used at the time of approval of the frequency allocation.
3). Transmit isolators " circulators " must be fitted to all constant carrier transmitters, and to any base stations operated in talk through mode.
4). Maximum Effective Radiated Power (erp) must not exceed the following levels at the following locations:-
a). Base station located inside the Dome 0.5 Watt erp.
b). Base station located in the Broadcasters Scanner park 1.0 Watt erp.
c). Base station located in the Broadcasters overspill park in the coach parking area 5.0 Watts erp.
Base stations that are not stable at low power levels must be fitted with a suitable attenuator. No excuses will be accepted that it is not possible to reduce the base power in a reliable manner.
Users are reminded that high gain antennas will necessitate base station powers to be adjusted accordingly.
5). Handportable radios must be capable of operating at a transmitter output power level of 1 Watt, and be adjusted accordingly.
E.g. Motorola GP300 radios would be considered acceptable, but not older Motorola P210 / HT800 types as the power levels are not adjustable.
If the Handportable units are being used within the confines of the Dome, then Helical Antennas must be fitted, as distinct from whip antennas.
6). All radio equipment must be programmed only for those frequencies for which an operating licence is available, and in the case of equipment covered by "Short Term Hire" and "Parking and Demonstration" licences, must contain only the frequency or frequencies for which the user has received authorisation from NMEC.
Equipment found to contain other channels will not be allowed on site.
7). All equipment must be capable and adjusted for 12.5 kHz channel spaced operation.
8). Base station equipment operated within the Dome area, must be equipped with a "Downfire" antenna type, if the antenna height is more than 15 feet above ground level.
9). Equipment found to be defective, or emitting undue levels of spurii will not be allowed on site.
Mandatory requirements for Radio Microphones.
1). All radio users must bring a copy of their current radio licence and approved allocation request to site, and have it available for inspection at all times.
2). All equipment must have a UK or ETSI type approval certificate where appropriate.
3). The transmitter output power of handheld microphones must not exceed 10 mW, body worn microphones must not exceed 50 mW.
4). Equipment operating on MPT exempt channels must be clearly marked as approved for such use.
5). Equipment found to be defective, or emitting undue levels of spurii will not be allowed on site.
Mandatory requirements for Radio Data.
1). All radio users must bring a copy of their current radio licence and approved allocation request to site, and have it available for inspection at all times.
2). All equipment must have a UK or ETSI type approval certificate where appropriate.
3). UHF 458 MHz equipment must not be operated upon the channels reserved in this band for emergency services use.
4). Equipment operating on MPT exempt channels must be clearly marked as approved for such use.
5). Equipment found to be defective, or emitting undue levels of spurii will not be allowed on site.
We will deal with any items not covered by these guidelines with on a day to day basis on the merits of the individual case. Under no circumstances will illegal radio operation be knowingly authorised. Any attempts to obtain authorisation by deception or fraud may result in penalties being imposed by NMEC.
N.B. Channel numbers referred to in this document are UK Television Channel numbers unless otherwise indicated.
A copy of the approval form in Excel format is available, please email mike@mwc.co.uk