60 meters

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This article is about the amateur radio band. For the athletics event, see 60 metres.

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 a simple matter to modify commercial amateur equipment to work correctly on these frequencies[citation needed] within the terms of the individuals licensing conditions. Check http://www.mods.dk/ for modifications to commercial amateur radios to gain access to the 60m channels.

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[edit] 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 [1] and at the Ofcom web site [2]. The 'channels' (spot frequencies) used for 60 meters in the UK are :

Channel Centre 'Dial' Frequency (USB)
FA 5260 kHz 5258.5 kHz
FB 5280 kHz 5278.5 kHz
FC * 5290 kHz 5288.5 kHz
FK 5368 kHz 5366.5 kHz
FL 5373 kHz 5371.5 kHz
FE 5400 kHz 5398.5 kHz
FM 5405 kHz 5403.5 kHz

* FC is used for the beacon project - GB3RAL(IO91IN), GB3WES(IO84QN)and GB3ORK(IO89JA). The transmission commencing on the hour and each subsequent 15 minutes using CW

The Summits on the Air (SOTA) programme use 5 MHz for a number of activations, with considerable activity from some operators[3]. The band in the UK is also used for digital communications in modes such as PSK31, MFSK, SSTV and Hellschreiber, with success being shown with most modes despite the problems that can result from ionospheric distortion, particularly to the phase of the signal. Further research is likely in this area during the present sunspot cycle minimum.

In the UK, 5MHz is also used for the weekly RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) news bulletin. The transmission takes place on channel FM (5403.5 kHz USB) at 12:30 local time on Sundays. The results show that 5 MHz provides a reliable vehicle for a national news broadcast. After the news a net is carried out with signal reports in SINPO code exchanged. This data is fed into the 5MHz co-ordinator for analysis [4], [5].

A number of radio propagation beacons are also active on 5MHz, with varying power levels. [6] Currently three beacons transmit on channel FC (5290 kHz) every 15 minutes from various locations in the UK. Further details of the British beacon network can be found on the RSGB 5MHz Page.[1]. In addition, the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC) operates a propagation research beacon, callsign DRA5, on 5195 kHz, which transmits in CW (morse code) and various digital modulation systems.

This band is unique insofar as UK radio amateurs may communicate under controlled operating conditions with Military Cadet stations around the UK.

The 5 MHz band has proved to support reliable inter UK communication using low power and NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) antennas under daylight conditions [7], but can be greatly affected by solar disturbances. The unique channelized nature of the band, low levels of activity and interference experienced, no doubt enhance this aspect.

[edit] 60 meters band in the USA

The 60 meters band became available to US radio amateurs in 2003[8]. The 'channels' (spot frequencies) used for 60 meters in the USA are:

Center 'Dial' Frequency (USB)
5332 kHz 5330.5 kHz
5348 kHz 5346.5 kHz
5368 kHz 5366.5 kHz
5373 kHz 5371.5 kHz
5405 kHz 5403.5 kHz
60 m 5330 - 5406
Flag of the United States United States 5330.5 5346.5 5366.5 5371.5 5403.5
General, Advanced, Extra
Note: US licensees operating 60 m are limited to emissions of upper sideband suppressed carrier, 2.8 kHz bandwidth (2K80J3E), 50 watts PEP ERP relative to a 1/2 wave dipole, on the carrier frequencies indicated on this chart

Instructions on amateur radio operations on 60 meters in the USA are provided in the "60 Meters - Frequently Asked Questions" document [9], prepared by the ARRL.

[edit] 60 meters band in other countries

QSL card from DRA5 radio propagation beacon on 5195 kHz
QSL card from DRA5 radio propagation beacon on 5195 kHz

Global communication is possible during grey line and night time conditions with reports of 60 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 80 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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ 5 MHz. Radio Society of Great Britain (2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-06.
  2. ^ Amateur radio – Operating in the 5 MHz experimental bands from 1 August 2006 until 30 June 2010 (PDF). Ofcom. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  3. ^ SOTA Five MHz info - SOTA 5 MHz guidelines (PDF). Summits on the Air. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  4. ^ Alan Messenger, G0TLK and John Gould, G3WKL (August 2007). "Signal reporting in the UK 5 MHz Experiment". RadCom 83 (08): 12–14. Radio Society of Great Britain. 
  5. ^ John Gould, G3WKL (January 2008). "5 MHz Experiment update". RadCom 85 (01): 62–63. Radio Society of Great Britain. 
  6. ^ Andrew Talbot, G4JNT. Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  7. ^ Hawker, Pat (1999). Technical Topics Scrapbook 1990-1994. Potters bar,UK: Radio Society of Great Britain, 33-34,64-65. ISBN 1-872309-51-8. 
  8. ^ New 60-Meter Band to Become Available July 3!. American Radio Relay League. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  9. ^ E. Hare; R. Lindquist, J. Hennessee, D. Hassler. 60 Meters - Frequently Asked Questions. American Radio Relay League. Retrieved on 2008-01-05.

[edit] External links