What are Radio Experimenter licences?
The radio spectrum currently carries broadcasting services such as
Television, Radio, and Fixed and Mobile communications. As well as
these, there is also space allocated within the frequency spectrum
for non-commercial use. This is for individual transmissions on set
frequency bands. There are specific frequency bands set aside at
International level solely for Experimenter use and this allows
communication between Experimenters around the world There is only
one type of licence issued in Ireland under the Wireless Telegraphy
(Experimenter’s Licence) Regulations 2002. However to ensure
international reciprocity there are two CEPT (European Conference of
Postal and Telecommunications) classes. CEPT Class 1 and a CEPT Class
2 differentiated by the issue of a different call-sign. There are
also Secondary frequencies which can be allocated to licence holders
for which an individual application form must be completed and
submitted. Many of these are only granted for a period of twelve
months and need to be reapplied for.
Television, radio, and fixed and mobile networks are some of the
commercial use of the Irish frequency spectrum – the
Experimenter Licence is for non-commercial transmissions.
Repeater Opereration
Only clubs can apply for a Repeater Licence. So any 24/7 operation
Digipeater must be under the umbrella of a Radio Club.
Other aspects
Many details of the licence conditions don't appear to be explicit in
the current Comreg documents. If in doubt see what the IRTS says, or
even the U.K. Licence conditions. It is important not to give a
garbled account of your intentions to Comreg, as by default most
Government Agencies will forbid anything badly explained and thus not
clearly understood.
However as a general principle, "Third party" traffic nor
carriage of voice or messages for reward is forbidden. Thus while a
BBS or POP3/SMTP server can handle email for those with a Call Sign,
it can't receive or forward email from public non-amateur systems
such as general Internet email.
In a similar vein any public event requesting emergency / support
voice or packet messaging needs to be a genuine Community/Charity
event that can't hire suitable commercial radio services.
Historically some events used "Wireless Experimenters"
(Amateur Radio) as the commercial service did not exist, today a
bunch of commercial, licensed handhelds are easily hired.
Check www.comreg.ie for up to
date licence conditions