K3UD
04-06-2007, 01:30 PM
==>DXING ON 60 METERS HAS DOWNSIDE, ARRL NOTES
The ARRL is expressing concern that negative consequences could result from chasing DX on 60 meters. Some DXpeditions have announced plans to operate on Amateur Radio's only channelized band, where amateur operations hold secondary status to fixed service operations, including some US government stations. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while it's legal for
DXpeditions to operate on the 5-MHz band provided the licensing
administration extends privileges there, DX pileups on 60 meters pose the potential for real and unique problems.
"US amateurs are limited to five channels on 60 meters, USB only, maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 W, audio bandwidth not exceeding 2.8 kHz, and not all of the channels are useable because of ongoing fixed service operation," Sumner points out. "It is absolutely imperative that any amateur transmitting on a 60 meter channel be prepared to relinquish the
channel immediately upon being requested to do so" by a primary service user.
Among other things, Sumner says, this means constantly monitoring the transmitting channel, thus ruling out any split-frequency operation while using a single-channel receiver.
The Swains Island N8S DXpedition, just under way, announced plans on its Web site to operate SSB on the 60-meter frequency of 5.4035 MHz, although that band was not among those on an updated frequency list released this week. While Sumner said he wasn't singling out the N8S operation, working into the South Pacific on 5 MHz running just 50 W ERP on phone would be a challenge under the best of circumstances.
"Amateurs must resist the temptation to exceed the radiated power limit," Sumner stressed.
He also warned amateurs in countries that do not authorize amateur operation on 60 meters to resist the temptation to make contacts on the band. Radio amateurs transmitting on a 5 MHz frequency without authorization, Sumner asserts, not only are breaking the law but are putting their continued participation in the ARRL DXCC program in jeopardy.
"Anyone who submits a 5 MHz confirmation for DXCC credit may be asked to provide evidence that their operation on that frequency was authorized," he said.
Even countries that authorize operation on 60 meters impose the express condition Amateur Radio stations not cause harmful interference to fixed and mobile service stations.
"Should such interference occur and not be immediately corrected, it will place in jeopardy our existing limited privileges, our chances of increasing those privileges on a domestic basis, and any chance we might have of ever obtaining an international allocation," Sumner emphasized.
Last fall, the ARRL asked the FCC to expand 60 meter operating privileges and substitute a new channel for one that's often occupied by a federal government user. The League filed a Petition for Rule Making (PRM) October 10. The petition said amateurs have proven, through interference-free operation on the five channels, that compatible sharing of the channels is possible.
The League wants the FCC to authorize radio amateurs of General and higher class to run 100 W ERP and to allow Morse code and data communication. It also asks the Commission to replace the 5368.0 kHz center-frequency channel with 5358.5 kHz, so amateurs can avoid federal government digital traffic on
the current channel.
If the FCC goes along with the ARRL's suggested changes, operation on 60 meters would remain on a secondary basis, and radio amateurs would still have to avoid interfering with incumbent federal government and other services.
73
George
K3UD
The ARRL is expressing concern that negative consequences could result from chasing DX on 60 meters. Some DXpeditions have announced plans to operate on Amateur Radio's only channelized band, where amateur operations hold secondary status to fixed service operations, including some US government stations. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while it's legal for
DXpeditions to operate on the 5-MHz band provided the licensing
administration extends privileges there, DX pileups on 60 meters pose the potential for real and unique problems.
"US amateurs are limited to five channels on 60 meters, USB only, maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 W, audio bandwidth not exceeding 2.8 kHz, and not all of the channels are useable because of ongoing fixed service operation," Sumner points out. "It is absolutely imperative that any amateur transmitting on a 60 meter channel be prepared to relinquish the
channel immediately upon being requested to do so" by a primary service user.
Among other things, Sumner says, this means constantly monitoring the transmitting channel, thus ruling out any split-frequency operation while using a single-channel receiver.
The Swains Island N8S DXpedition, just under way, announced plans on its Web site to operate SSB on the 60-meter frequency of 5.4035 MHz, although that band was not among those on an updated frequency list released this week. While Sumner said he wasn't singling out the N8S operation, working into the South Pacific on 5 MHz running just 50 W ERP on phone would be a challenge under the best of circumstances.
"Amateurs must resist the temptation to exceed the radiated power limit," Sumner stressed.
He also warned amateurs in countries that do not authorize amateur operation on 60 meters to resist the temptation to make contacts on the band. Radio amateurs transmitting on a 5 MHz frequency without authorization, Sumner asserts, not only are breaking the law but are putting their continued participation in the ARRL DXCC program in jeopardy.
"Anyone who submits a 5 MHz confirmation for DXCC credit may be asked to provide evidence that their operation on that frequency was authorized," he said.
Even countries that authorize operation on 60 meters impose the express condition Amateur Radio stations not cause harmful interference to fixed and mobile service stations.
"Should such interference occur and not be immediately corrected, it will place in jeopardy our existing limited privileges, our chances of increasing those privileges on a domestic basis, and any chance we might have of ever obtaining an international allocation," Sumner emphasized.
Last fall, the ARRL asked the FCC to expand 60 meter operating privileges and substitute a new channel for one that's often occupied by a federal government user. The League filed a Petition for Rule Making (PRM) October 10. The petition said amateurs have proven, through interference-free operation on the five channels, that compatible sharing of the channels is possible.
The League wants the FCC to authorize radio amateurs of General and higher class to run 100 W ERP and to allow Morse code and data communication. It also asks the Commission to replace the 5368.0 kHz center-frequency channel with 5358.5 kHz, so amateurs can avoid federal government digital traffic on
the current channel.
If the FCC goes along with the ARRL's suggested changes, operation on 60 meters would remain on a secondary basis, and radio amateurs would still have to avoid interfering with incumbent federal government and other services.
73
George
K3UD