60-meter band

The 60 meters (5 MHz) band is a relatively new (2002) amateur radio band allocation and only available in a small number of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Finland and Iceland. In most countries, the allocation is channelised, and in the USA it is mandatory to operate in upper sideband mode only. Amateur equipment made in Japan or China often does not support this allocation, since it is not available in those countries. However it is usually possible to modify commercial amateur equipment to work correctly on these frequencies within the terms of the individuals licensing conditions. [See http://www.mods.dk/ for modifications to commercial amateur radios to gain access to the 60m channels.]

60 meters band in the United Kingdom

This 5MHz frequency segment is in what is known as the '60 meters' band and is the subject of active research due to its propagation properties. In the UK, this research is known as the 'Five Megs Experiment'. Access to the frequency allocation in the UK is via a NoV (Notice of Variation) to a 'Full' Amateur Radio Licence issued by Ofcom. There are a few additional restrictions (e.g. /M or /MM (mobile or maritime mobile) operation is not permitted) and power output is limited to 200 watts PEP. Instructions on amateur radio operations on 60 meters in the UK are provided in the RSGB "5 MHz" web pages [cite web | url=http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/5mhz.htm | title=5 MHz |publisher=Radio Society of Great Britain | date=2005 | accessdate=2008-01-06] and at the Ofcom web site [cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/Notices/5mhznov.pdf |title=Amateur radio – Operating in the 5 MHz experimental bands from 1 August 2006 until 30 June 2010 |publisher=Ofcom |format=PDF |accessdate=2007-12-31] .The 'channels' (spot frequencies) used for 60 meters in the UK are :

Instructions on amateur radio operations on 60 meters in the USA are provided in the "60 Meters - Frequently Asked Questions" document [cite web |url=http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/faq-60.html |title=60 Meters - Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=American Radio Relay League| author=E. Hare | coauthors=R. Lindquist, J. Hennessee, D. Hassler |accessdate=2008-01-05] , prepared by the ARRL.

60 meters band in other countries

Global communication is possible during grey line and night time conditions with reports of 70 plus countries having been worked from the UK alone. A list is available in http://60meters.info/totals.html.

In all radio amateurs from approximately 90 countries have been active on 5 MHz at one time or another since the availability of the band to amateur radio. A list is available at http://60meters.info/g4tra.xls.

Radio amateurs from many countries that do not have access to 60m monitor the band and post their reports of stations heard on http://www.dxwatch.com/dxsd1/5.php.

Irish stations were reported to have received permission to operate on the band in the early part of 2008, but to date (October 2008) none have been heard.

Also stations in Denmark are using these channels now, but only those that have a spcial pay-license are allowed to transmit on these channels. (Ultm.july 2008 10 station-licences have been issued.)

Notes and References

External links

* Beacons propagation and more [http://g4irx.nowindows.net/fivemegs/beacon.php propagation studies]

* Construction and further info [http://www.davesergeant.com/fivemegs/fivemegs.htm Construction + antenna]

* The 60m Information Website. http://60meters.info/

* 60m DX net.http://www.dxwatch.com/dxsd1/5.php

* 60m DX logger.http://dxworld.com/60mlog.html

* MM1RAH web site.http://www.netronic.co.uk/mm1rah/index.htm