If you happen to be a radio ham and like to hook up with other enthusiasts over the airwaves, you had better report to a local radio authority before December to ensure you have all of the necessary paperwork.

Otherwise, the Beijing Municipal Radio Management Bureau can close you down by confiscating your equipment.

Having just launched an all-out campaign to assess what sort of equipment is in use, the bureau expects to finish its comprehensive review by 2004 to stop ham radios interfering with civil aviation communication, Zhao Da, an official with the bureau, said yesterday.

"Although recent interference with civil aviation radio communications at the Beijing Capital International Airport has turned out to be harmless, it can be fatal and should definitely be stopped," said Zhao.

The guideline paper being used in the review focuses on powerful wireless phones, radio and television stations and pager stations.

Powerful wireless phones are not allowed in Beijing but are used by some people in lieu of a more common mobile phone.

Another group of people posing similar dangers are radio hams, who switch out of their designated frequency ranges.

"The latest several cases occurring at the airport in this regard have been blamed on radio hams," said Zhao.

Statistics with the Beijing Association of Radio Transmission and Reception indicate the Chinese capital has around 4,000 registered radio hams.

"Radio transmission and reception is an interesting hobby and is attracting ever more people in Beijing. Although there are some defying the rules, most of us are fine with the frequency range assigned to us," said Bai Xuehan, an official with the association.

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