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United Kingdom Radio Control Council - UKRCC

The MPBA is represented on the UKRCC by Mr Fred Body.

UKRCC Objectives

* To defend the current frequency allocation and seek extensions

* To be involved in the harmonisation of R.C. Frequencies within Europe

* To be involved in the preparation of new or updated technical standards

* To advise and assist R.C. Users on relevant matters

* To liaise with the Radio Communications Agency and other official organisations on R.C.

Frequencies.

The UKRCC represents the modelling community to the regulatory authorities.

There are four bands available for Model Boat use.

27 MHz is the traditional band allocated to all Radio Control users many years ago. Much of the lower

cost radio equipment produced still uses this band. Since the introduction of CB radio and radio

controlled children's toys, the 27 MHz band has been subject to interference problems.

40 MHz is the latest band to be allocated and is for exclusive use in surface models. When purchasing

new equipment the 40 MHz band is the best choice for model boats. Equipment is still more expensive

than the 27 MHz band but the difference is shrinking.

UHF band (459 MHz) is once again a band allocated to all Radio Control users many years ago. It is

rarely used and little commercial equipment has ever been produced. Equipment for the UHF band is

hard to obtain and expensive.

2.4GHz is a new, but rapidly growing band which is shared by all RC model users. The specification

includes the requirement for a Transmitter to seek an available free channel before starting to transmit,

equally all Receivers are required to be 'bound' to a specific transmitter, and accept signals only from

that transmitter. This means that the modeller does not need to check for an available frequency when

ready to start sailing. This fact, coupled with some very reasonably priced sets from China, means that

this is the fastest growing band.

ON NO ACCOUNT may the 35 MHz band be used. This band is reserved solely for the use of

Aeromodellers and its use for surface craft is forbidden. You will also find equipment operating on other

frequency bands, for example 72Mhz, advertised on on-line auction sites. This equipment cannot be

legally operated in the UK, but it is legal to sell the equipment!

Other countries have frequency bands that differ from those in the UK. Increasingly these bands are

being rigidly enforced. Regattas have been cancelled because of problems and there have also been

instances where the authorities have confiscated equipment. It is essential that you check before you

travel.

The following paragraphs are extracted from various OfCom/UKRCC publications.

The UK Radio Control Council wish to highlight that, to ensure safe operation, it is necessary under the

codes of practice that no two modellers in the same local area attempt to use the same frequency at

the same time. The Current UKRCC Codes of Practice defines local as being within three miles of each

other.

Placing equipment on the market or putting into service

Before it can be placed on the UK market, radio model control equipment must first comply with the

provisions of the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive 1999/5/EC (The R&TTE

Directive).

To comply, all equipment has to meet a set of Essential Requirements that are based on voluntary

Harmonised European Standards. Manufacturers can meet the essential requirements by ensuring

equipment meets the applicable harmonised standards or by seeking the opinion of an R&TTE

competent Notified Body. Once this assessment has been carried out, the manufacturer can declare

compliance, affix the CE mark to the equipment and then place it on the market anywhere in the

European Community.

However, the frequency bands used by radio model control equipment are generally not harmonised.

The frequencies are managed nationally and the policy on use can differ between EU countries. It is

therefore possible under the R&TTE Directive to legally place equipment on the UK market that cannot

be authorised for use in the UK. Consequently operation of such equipment in the UK would be

unlawful.

To prevent the possibility of radio equipment causing interference the R&TTE Directive requires the

manufacturer or the person responsible for placing the radio equipment on the market to inform the

user by information on the packaging and in the instructions for use in which countries the equipment

can legally be used and what, if any authorisations are required. Also, where restrictions exist, the alert

symbol (an exclamation mark in a circle) should be placed next to the CE mark.

Full details of the R&TTE Directive, plus CE and Alert symbols can be found on the EU Europa website.

Ofcom will take enforcement action where non compliance becomes apparent.

Denoting the Frequency of your transmitter

27MHz Band Flag Colour Flag or Black numbers on White Flag

40MHz Band Flag Black or White numbers on a Green Flag

2.4GHz Band No Flag is required.

Further information including tables of permitted frequencies in the UK and other countries

is available at http://www.ukrcc.org