ITU Week 3 - ARRL Reports No 5 MHz Amateur Allocation But ...

[Pete, WA2CWA]

As the International Telecommunication Union's 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva headed toward its fourth and final week, the proponents of additional allocations to HF Broadcasting conceded defeat and accepted that there will be no additional allocations made to HFBC at this conference. The slim possibility of a 5 MHz allocation to the Amateur Service also evaporated late Friday evening, according to IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ. However, A secondary allocation of 135.7-137.8 kHz to the Amateur Service was approved on first reading in Plenary on Friday afternoon, November 9. This marks the first time since allocations to radio services began that the Amateur Service has had an allocation below the medium wave broadcasting band. The effective date is not yet set, but is likely to be the date of entry into force of the Final Acts of the Conference.

For all the story, go here:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/11/10/101/?nc=1

[AF9J]

However, A secondary allocation of 135.7-137.8 kHz to the Amateur Service was approved on first reading in Plenary on Friday afternoon, November 9. This marks the first time since allocations to radio services began that the Amateur Service has had an allocation below the medium wave broadcasting band. The effective date is not yet set, but is likely to be the date of entry into force of the Final Acts of the Conference.

For all the story, go here:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/11/10/101/?nc=1

Hmmmm interesting - I assume it would be like the European allocations on this band, in that most operation would be QRSS, visual CW.  BTW, many Europeans are using audio amps to provide RF power for the 135.7-137.8kHz band.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[W1VD]

Ellen

Across the pond work so far on 137 kHz has been QRSS. I've worked aural cw on 137 kHz out to 1000 km. Both ends were similarly equipped - 400 watts rf into 90'  tall verticals with big top hats (generating about 1 watt ERP). Greater distances are certainly possible - the lack of active stations makes it difficult to get a handle on what's possible.

Info on a particularly good audio amp for use on 137 kHz and 500 kHz:

http://www.w1vd.com/page23.html

http://www.w1vd.com/9505MF.html



 

[AF9J]

Hmmmm,

Hafler - that's good stuff!  In my band playing days, I used to know people who used them for PA systems.  I didn't know that they were using audio amps for RF up on the 500 kHz, 600m expirimental band!

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Ah! Finally a use for my 100 watt PA amp. Where do I hook the antenna 

[AF9J]

Yeah, it makes me wish I hadn't given the Peavey CS-800 (the spec sheet for ours listed it at 525W per channel, and 1000W mono), to the drummer in one of my bands (we used it as a rehearsal PA), when the band broke up, and he went to another band!  <sigh!>

Ellen - AF9J

[WD8BIL]

Hafler - that's good stuff! 

I picked up a Hafler Pro1200 for $40.00 at the Bellvidere hamfest, Ellen.
The same guy had the Pro2500 in the same stack. I'm using it now in the receive audio chain now driving JBL stage monitors.

Hope to hear you on it soon !!

[AF9J]

Hafler - that's good stuff! 

I picked up a Hafler Pro1200 for $40.00 at the Bellvidere hamfest, Ellen.
The same guy had the Pro2500 in the same stack. I'm using it now in the receive audio chain now driving JBL stage monitors.

Hope to hear you on it soon !!

Which band Buddly?  My next rock band, 135 kc, or 500 kc? 

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

A half wave dipole is only about 3416 feet. I wonder if I could dog-leg that all over the yard. Next, we'll be shoving long rods into the ground as radiators and doing "real" ground wave communication. I knew there was a reason why I like VHF/UHF. Antennas definitely are more manageable.

[AF9J]

Yep,

There's something nice about having a 20 element 432 MHz yagi you can easily carry.  I used to love working 432 SSB & CW.

Ellen - AF9J

[Tom WA3KLR]

I copied Bob WE2XGR/6 (W2ZM) and Jay WE2XGR/2 (W1VD) in CW QSO on 507 khz last evening 5 x 8 with my 75 meter dipole and Drake R-7.  No QRM.