Welcome to Tropical band

To most people the phrase "tropical bands" bring a pretty clear picture to mind - a bunch of shirtless guys playing calypso music. But to experienced shortwave DXers those two little words express the most challenging and enjoyable part of the radio hobby. The phrase kindles memories of a DXer's best catches and favorite QSLs, of exotic stations, music and of early morning listening sessions. (Don Moore)
I like the "Tropical band" name for new 60m allocation. (OK1RP)

Effective from 1st Jan 2017 please paper QSL via OM-bureau only.


Thursday, January 26, 2017

Putting the K2 on 60m using K60XV module


Putting the K2 on 60m band using K60XV module


The K60XV adds 60-meter ham-band coverage to the K2 and K2/100 transceivers. In addition, it provides a low-level (0 dBm) split path interface for use with transverters such as the Elecraft XV Series.

60 Meters
Revision 2.04 K2 firmware allows the operator to quickly hop among the five fixed channels, as well as do channel-based scanning. The KPA100 option can be also used on 60 meters, but units shipped prior to March, 2004 will require modification (see page 2 of assembly manual).



Complete manual is here.

Specifications

60-meter coverage Approx. 5.0 to 5.5 MHz; see text for permitted transmit frequencies
Transverter T/R control PIN diode switching
Transverter output Low-level, approx. 0.1-1.0 mW (-10 to 0 dBm); linearized RF/ALC detector
Current drain Typically 1 to 2 mA in receive mode, 2 to 15 mA transmit
PCB size 2.0 x 2.6" (5.1 x 6.6 cm)


Firmware Requirements
K2: Revision 2.04P or later main microcontroller firmware is required (U6, Control board), and revision 1.09 or later I/O Controller firmware (U1, RF board). Serial number 4060 and higher K2s already have these revisions. To check the revision, hold any switch while turning the K2 on. Two numbers will be displayed: your main microcontroller revision on the left (e.g. 2 . 0 3 D ), and the IOC revision (e.g. 1 . 0 7 ).
If either is not current, you must obtain an update from Elecraft (order #FWK2MCIO). This new firmware is included free of charge with the purchase of the K60XV kit on request.

Source: http://www.elecraft.com

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-









Putting the K2 on 60m w/o K60XV...

Putting the K2 on 60m band w/o K60XV
 
An Elecraft re-post information on how to put the K2 on 60 meters for those who are anxious to try out the band without the K60XV optional module. K2 firmware does not at present include 60 m in the band map, so the modification works by "sharing" 40-meter components.

Note: This modification is recommended for experimentation only. However, a few hams in the UK have made these changes successfully, and Elecraft own initial tests show that performance is the same as on the other bands.

1. The 40 meter band-pass filter must be resonated on 60 meters:
Install a DPDT switch on the rear panel, close to the 40-m band-pass filter. The two switch commons should be wired to either side of C6, the top coupling cap in this filter. In the 60 m switch position, a 4.7 pF capacitor should be placed in parallel with C6. From either side of this capacitor to ground, you'll need a 50 pF trimmer and a 47 pF fixed cap, in parallel. The filter will be peaked later.

2. Memories can be set up for easy 60m or 40m access:
Turn on the K2 and switch to 40 meters. Select the 1-kHz-per-step VFO tuning rate and tune the VFO down from 40 m to the center of the 60 meter band (~5.3 MHz). Hit A=B to set both VFOs to this frequency, then STORE the setup in a frequency memory (I used #5 since this is 5 MHz). Then tune back up to 40 meters, hit A=B, and STORE this in another memory (#7 makes sense: 7 MHz). Now you can jump to either 60 or 40 meters using the RCL button. Of course you could assign up to 5 memories for use on the new channelized 60-meter assignments.



3. The VCO requires additional capacitance:
Use RCL #5 to get back to 60 meters. The PLL will be out of lock because the 40-meter VCO capacitance is too small to allow the VCO to tune down to 5.3 + 4.9 = 10.2 MHz. To get the PLL to lock, you'll have to parallel some 30-70 pF of extra capacitance across C71. Connect a voltmeter to R30, and find a value of C that results in a VCO voltage of 1.5-7.5 V over the desired 60 m segment. Then install a tiny SPST switch on the board which, when thrown to the 60 m position, puts this cap into the circuit. Use very short leads, and cut an access hole in the bottom cover. (Note: the K60XV will be supplied with two MV209 varactor diodes, D19 and D20, that will work in combination with the K2's new "D19" menu entry to change the VCO tuning range so that it covers both 40 and 60 meters with new VCO relay combinations. You don't need new K2 firmware to use the fixed capacitance method described here. But if you have it, leave "D19" set to "N".)

4. With both the VCO and BPF switches in the 60 m position, and a 60-m memory recalled, align the BPF trimmers on 60 meters in RX or TX mode.

5. The K2's original 40-m low-pass filter and push-pull PA does a decent job of suppressing the 2nd harmonic on 60 meters, but if you want some extra margin, use the new 40m/60m elliptic low-pass filter components shown in the Revision D K2 manual. These components are already present in K2s s/n 3000 and up.

You're now ready to use the K2 barefoot on 60 meters (up to 15 W). Remember to use upper sideband *only* as we haven't yet convinced the FCC to let us use CW. 

The KAT2 and KAT100 automatic antenna tuners will both work on this band, so you can use a 40 or 80-meter antenna or a random wire.

DO NOT use the KPA100 on 60 meters unless you have the means to check 2nd harmonic suppression. Since the KPA100 uses a 40/30 meter low-pass filter, the 2nd harmonic attenuation on 60 meters would be determined solely by the balance of the PA strip, which may or may not meet FCC specs. A future modification to the KPA100 will allow use on 60 meters. (Also note the carefully-defined 50-watt power limit on this band. See
http://www.arrl.org  for details.)

Source: http://www.elecraft.com/


73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

Kenwood TS-590 (ver.E) TX modification for 5MHz by Roar, LA4AMA

Kenwood TS-590 TX modification

The E version (Europe) has no TX on 5 MHz, but the K version (USA has 5 MHz TX between 5.250 MHz and 5.450 MHz. According to the service manual (page 120) the difference between E and K version is a jumper (R968) which is installed in E version but missing in the K version.

There are 2 possible TX extensions on the E version, either full TX (1.705 – 30 MHz) or just open up 5 MHz (cut the R968 jumper and make it into a K version).


Complete modification guide is here

Thanks to Roar, LA4AMA for sharing this mod.


73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

Monday, January 23, 2017

Antennas for 60m - Inspiration by Iulian, VA3IUL

Hello,

these antennas inspirations are not appointed to just 60m but it can help you when you are planning your antenna for 60m band or you are thinking about an improvement...

































References:
 
Antenna Toolkit - J. Carr
Practical Antenna Handbook - J. Carr
More Antenna Classics - C. Hutchinson
Amateur Radio Techniques - P. Hawker
The Radio Handbook - W. Orr (editor), 15th edition
The Radio Antenna Handbook - Engineering Staff of "Radio"
Jones Antenna Handbook - Frank C. Jones
SM0DTK - http://www.sm0dtk.se/antennas.htm
ARRL Antenna Handbook 1990-2007
ARRL Handbook 1937-2009
ARRL Antenna Compendium
73 Magazine 1970-2002
Funkamateur Magazine 1990-2011
RSGB Handbook - 2007 - 2010
QST Magazine - 1980 - 2010
Ham Radio Magazine - 1969 - 1990
Radio-Electronics Magazine - 1986 - 1990
 

Thanks to Iulian, VA3IUL for ideas. Maybe it will help and inspire others to install better antennas for 60m band too...


73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

IARU-R3 Band plan for 60m - update by NZART

Hello,

short info arrived from NZART Administration Officer to my queries...


  • What is the status of the IARU Region 3 band plan? (As far as I am aware, the only published 5 MHz plan is a draft put together by IARU Region 1.)  
  • What is the status of the 5 MHz band in New Zealand?  (No allocation as yet but discussions are ongoing with the regulator and current licensees)


  • So in fact no additional information or news are available yet.
    The current band plans are available as I posted already here:



    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Tuesday, January 17, 2017

    Last aid antenna for 60m - helical whip

    Hello all,

    are you one of those wretches with absolutely no space (mean zero space) for antenna and you would like to try QSO on 60m band?

    Well except the magnetic loops you can try also this crazy helical whip...


    Please forget it if you have space for at least 10m piece of wire outside to be used as random wire antenna (horizontal, zig-zag, sloped or even vertical) and grounding point or counterpoise close to your ham-shack...


    If there is no way for anything better and for some reasons you can not use the small loops then your last wretch's aid is this helical stick.

    http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/antennas/mobile-antennas/am-pro-60


    • 5 MHz single band whip
    • Power rated : 250w
    • Fitting : standard 3/8" thread
    • Length : 245cm (max)
    • Bandwidth : 50kHz
    • Slimline design


    Sometime something is better than nothing...


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Monday, January 16, 2017

    IARU Regions Band Plans

    Hi all,

    if you are looking for IARU Regions band plans then you can download them over here:




    IARU Region 1 Band Plan
    IARU Region 2 Band Plan
    IARU Region 3 Band Plan

    Hope it helps,


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Saturday, January 14, 2017

    ARRL Asks FCC to Allocate New 5 MHz Band, Retain Channels

    Hi all,
    thanks to MRCA group I can share this important information about the ARRL activity regarding the 60m band allocation as follows...

    See attached encouraging news from the ARRL.  When the FCC publishes a rule making petition and it is put out for public notice it will be important to send as many comments as possible supporting the continued use of  the four channels not affected by the WRC-15 proposed 15 kHz band and the existing 100 watt PEP power level – DG.


    -----Original Message-----
    From: ARRL Web site [mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org]
    Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 4:30 PM
    Subject: ARLB004 ARRL Asks FCC to Allocate New 5 MHz Band, Retain Channels
    and Current Power Limit

    ARRL has asked the FCC to allocate a new, secondary contiguous band
    at 5 MHz to the Amateur Service, while also retaining four of the current five 60-meter channels and current operating rules, including the 100 W PEP effective radiated power (ERP) limit. The federal government is the primary user of the 5 MHz spectrum. The proposed action would implement a portion of the Final Acts of World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) that provided for a secondary international allocation of 5,351.5 to 5,366.5 kHz to the Amateur Service; that band includes 5,358.5 KHz, one of the existing 5 MHz channels in the US.

    "Such implementation will allow radio amateurs engaged in emergency and disaster relief communications, and especially those between the United States and the Caribbean basin, to more reliably, more flexibly and more capably conduct those communications [and preparedness exercises], before the next hurricane season in the summer of 2017," ARRL said in a January 12 Petition for Rule Making. The FCC has not yet acted to implement other portions of the WRC-15 Final Acts.




    The Petition for Rule Making can be found on the web in PDF format
    at,
    http://www.arrl.org/attachments/view/News/87580 .

    The League said that 14 years of Amateur Radio experience using the five discrete 5-MHz channels have shown that hams can get along well with primary users at 5 MHz, while complying with the regulations established for their use. "Neither ARRL, nor, apparently, NTIA is aware of a single reported instance of interference to a federal user by a radio amateur operating at 5 MHz to date," ARRL said in its petition. NTIA - the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which regulates federal spectrum - initially proposed the five channels for Amateur Radio use. In recent years, Amateur Radio has cooperated with federal users such as FEMA in conducting communication interoperability exercises.

    "While the Amateur Radio community is grateful to the Commission and to NTIA for the accommodation over the past 14 years of some access to the 5-MHz band, the five channels are, simply stated, completely inadequate to accommodate the emergency preparedness needs of the Amateur Service in this HF frequency range," ARRL said, adding that the five 2.8-kHz wide channels "have not provided sufficient capacity to enable competent emergency preparedness and disaster relief capability."

    Access even to the tiny 15-kHz wide band adopted at WRC-15 would "radically improve the current, very limited capacity of the Amateur Service in the United States to address emergencies and disaster relief," ARRL said. "This is most notably true in the Caribbean Basin, but the same effect will be realized elsewhere as well, at all times of the day and night, and at all times of the sunspot cycle."

    In its Petition, ARRL also called upon the FCC to retain the same service rules now governing the five channels for the new band. The WRC-15 Final Acts stipulated a power limit of 15 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), which the League said "completely defeats the entire premise for the allocation in the first place."

    "For precisely the same reasons that the Commission consented to a power increase on the five channels as recently as 2011 [from 50 W PEP ERP to 100 W PEP ERP], the Commission should permit a power level of 100 W PEP ERP, assuming use of a 0 dBd gain antenna, in the contiguous 60-meter band," ARRL said. "To impose the power limit adopted at WRC-15 for the contiguous band would render the band unsuitable for emergency and public service communications."

    ARRL pointed out that the ITU Radio Regulations permit assignments that are at variance with the International Table of Allocations, provided a non-interference condition is attached, limiting the use of such an assignment relative to stations operating in accordance with the Table.

    The League asked that General class or higher licensees be permitted to use the band. The FCC will not invite comments on the League's Petition until it puts it on public notice and assigns a Rule Making(RM) number.

    NNNN
    /EX
    ______________________________________________________________
    MRCA mailing list
    This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
    Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Friday, January 13, 2017

    WRC-15 vs other ITU-Regions & National band allocations

     Hello all,

    as you know several countries are allowed to operating on 60m band with their new preliminary WRC-15 band allocation. In order to keep all hams well co-operated worldwide I would like to kindly ask all of us well understand also the other ITU-Regions and National band allocations and respect each others...

    An interim bandplan was adopted by IARU Region 1 in April 2016, for the WRC-15 allocation (5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz).



    Thank you for understanding that the five channels currently used for the 60 meter band in the USA ( ITU Region 2 ) are:


    To some of the inexperienced JT65 DX-ers please DO NOT inhibit SSB and CW operation on USA channel 3.

    Always the best way is to double check if the frequency is really clean and even better is to avoid using these channels for JT65 modes if there is chance to use another one instead.

    Please understand that there are still countries with channelized 60m band with no way to move out in case of QRM compare to WRC-15 band VFO-based allocation.


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Thursday, January 12, 2017

    Icom 7300 on 60m band modification


    Hello,

    the wide band modification of IC-7300 by removing some of diodes on the diode matrix board (close to the big RENESAS chip see below) is going to open your RX and TX in few different ranges.

    Most known modification article is by Marcus, PA2DB...



    Open RX 0.030-74.8Mhz (REMOVE D416)
    Open TX 0.1-74.8Mhz (REMOVE D422) (D419 is and must be in)




    If you don't want to modify your radio for out of band TX operation then you can just open the TX for 60m band:

    Only Open TX 60Mtr 5.255-5.405Mhz (REMOVE D405)




    As Markus saying about the modification...

    "Well, I made the mods (both for wide open and for 60 m band and it worked perfectly on an european version with the first firmware.
    After flashing the updates, the mod remained there..."
    "A proper modification, at least how I made it, can be watched on the video below.
    Check at min 21:00 to see the diode matrix after the mod!"


    Also I really like to recommending every time follow the instructions written very well below:


    Some words of "wisdom" to read BEFORE you proceed to the mod:

    Just like any other mods, beware that you do it on your risk and you loose the warranty!

    1. Check the radio to be disconnected from power supply




    2. Please, use ESD discharge measures! No kidding, use ESD countermeasures both for your body and for the soldering station!
    3. Use a lot of soldering flux! The diodes are very sensitive to high temperature and the solder Flux (I use GEL type) help in reducing the temperature for the areas not touched by the soldering station's tip.
    4. Use 60/40 soldering alloy to reduce the melting point for the ROHS solders!
    5. Use unsolder braid to clean the PCB pads!
    6. Use a good soldering station!
    7. Use good tweezers.
    8. Use good magnifying glasses AND/OR microscope. The diodes are very very small.

    I had some e-mails form a fellow ham who removed the D413 from error and the radio is not working on 6m band! He put the diode back but the radio remains without 6 m band.

    I do not know if he fried the original diode but AFAIK, the diode matrix established the country version.
    I suggest to put the diodes just as above and do a re-flash.

    I just test to see if a downgrade to 1.12 (now I have 1.13) is possible and it is!


    (Many thanks to Markus, PA2DB for his good job and hope it will help to some others.)



    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    5U - Niger on 60m band by Antonio, EA5RM

    Hello,

    thanks to Paul, G4MWO I am able to share this news as follows:

    Whilst in a meeting with officials of the Niger telecoms regulator, ARTP (Autorité de Regulation des Telecommunications et de La Poste du Niger), to discuss his March  5U5R  DX-pedition, Antonio, EA5RM was informed that 60m access in the country to all Niger amateurs was now possible under the WRC-15 allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz and its subsequent footnote.
     
    The 5U5R Sixty Meter activity is expected to be around 5360 kHz using CW and SSB. Unfortunately access to Six Meter is not possible for the 5U5R DX-pedition which takes place from 8 -21 March using all bands and modes.


    E-Mail from Antonio yesterday Wednesday to Paul, G4MWO:

    "Hello Paul, first QSO on 60 meters from Niger were done yesterday. Today I plan to do a few more, I am testing some things in this location so I am going to do only few demonstration QSO. Real operation will start on March 9th. 73! EA5RM"



    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    S5 - Slovenia on 60m band

    Hi all,

    Let me introduce that Slovenian telecoms regulator, AKOS, has given permission for use of the 60m band in Slovenia.

    First of all a temporary three-month license (Jan. 11 – Apr.11 2017) is being issued to all Slovenian amateurs who apply for it.

    The allocation is the WRC-15  one from 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz with 15W EIRP.

    It is hoped that in three months the administration will adopt the regulation fully which will be valid for all. Use of the IARU Region 1 60m band plan is recommended.





    Geography

    Slovenia occupies an area about the size of the state of Massachusetts. It is largely a mountainous republic and almost half of the land is forested, with hilly plains spread across the central and eastern regions. Mount Triglav, the highest peak, rises to 9,393 ft (2,864 m).


    Government

    Parliamentary democratic republic.

    History

    Slovenia was originally settled by Illyrian and Celtic peoples. It became part of the Roman Empire in the first century B.C.
    The Slovenes were a south Slavic group that settled in the region in the 6th century A.D. During the 7th century, the Slavs established the state of Samu, which owed its allegiance to the Avars, who dominated the Hungarian plain until Charlemagne defeated them in the late 8th century.




    When the Hungarians were defeated by the Turks in 1526, Hungary accepted Austrian Hapsburg rule in order to escape Turkish domination; the Hapsburg monarchy was the first to include all of the Slovene regions. Thus, Slovenia and Croatia became part of the Austro-Hungarian kingdom when the dual monarchy was established in 1867. Like Croatia and unlike the other Balkan states, it is primarily Roman Catholic.
     
    Following the defeat and collapse of Austria-Hungary in World War I, Slovenia declared its independence. It formally joined with Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia on Dec. 4, 1918, to form the new nation called the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. The name was later changed to Yugoslavia in 1929.




    During World War II, Germany occupied Yugoslavia, and Slovenia was divided among Germany, Italy, and Hungary. For the duration of the war many Slovenes fought a guerrilla war against the Nazis under the leadership of the Croatian-born Communist resistance leader, Marshal Tito. After the final defeat of the Axis powers in 1945, Slovenia was again made into a republic of the newly established Communist nation of Yugoslavia.

    Slovenia Peacefully Gains Independence From Yugoslavia

    In the 1980s, Slovenia agitated for greater autonomy and occasionally threatened to secede. It introduced a multiparty system and in 1990 elected a non-Communist government. Slovenia declared its independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. The Serbian-dominated Yugoslavian army tried to keep Slovenia in line and some brief fighting took place, but the army then withdrew its forces. Unlike Croatia and Bosnia, Slovenia was able to sever itself from Yugoslavia with relatively little violence. With recognition of its independence granted by the European Community in 1992, the country began realigning its economy and society toward western Europe. Slovenia joined the EU and NATO in 2004.


    In a surprise upset, the center-right Slovenian Democrats (SDS) leader Janez Jansa won in Oct. 2004 elections. Prime Minister Anton Rop, of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDS), conceded defeat. LDS had been in power for most of the previous 12 years. Slovenia changed its currency to the euro on Jan. 1, 2007, becoming the first former Communist country to do so.




    In the second round of 2007's presidential elections in November, Danilo Türk, a leftist former diplomat who spent much of his career abroad, took 68.3% of the vote, well ahead of former prime minister Lojze Peterle's 31.7%. Türk's breeze to victory suggested that Slovenians have grown weary of Jansa's conservative administration. The post of president in Slovenia is largely ceremonial.
    In January 2008, Slovenia became the first former communist nation to assume the EU presidency.


    Miss Universe Slovenije 2015 Ana Haložan

    In November 2008, Borut Pahor was named prime minister, ending four years in government of a centre-right coalition under Janez Jansa. The parliament approved the nomination on November 7 (59-24). On November 11, Pahor announced his cabinet (subject to approval by parliament) with Samuel Zbogar as foreign minister, Ljubica Jelusic as defense minister, Franci Krizanic as finance minister, and Katarina Kresal as interior minister.


    (Thank you for information to Iztok S52D, Tine S50A and Paul G4MWO)


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Wednesday, January 11, 2017

    UN - Kazakhstan on 60m band

    Hello,

    following a request from the Association of Amateur Radio Services in Kazakhstan (AARSK), the Republic of Kazakhstan state telecoms regulator, MIC (Ministry of Information, Communications & The Media) issued an official letter Number 16-1/1824-1 dated 22 December 2016 authorizing use by Kazakhstan radio amateurs of the new WRC-15 60m.

    Allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz on a Secondary basis.

    At this time no maximum power limit has been indicated and this will be further clarified with the Ministry by discussions with AARSK, who are also advocating use of the IARU Region 1 60m Provisional Band plan.

    AARSK webpage with copy of official document (in Cyrillic text)http://www.aarsk.kz/index.php/33-60




    Religion: The Republic of Kazakhstan is a multinational state, inhabited by more than 120 nationalities. The main religion is Islam, but the Kazakhs manifest tolerance towards other religions of the peoples living in their territory, such as Christianity, Judaism, etc. The country has built many mosques and churches in recent years.


    Miss Kazakhstan 2013 nominated for Miss Universe 2013


    Geography: The Kazakh territory is fed by 8,500 rivers. The length of seven of them (the longest ones) exceeds 1000 km, including the Ural and Emba flowing into the Caspian Sea, the Syr Darya, flowing into the Aral Sea and the Irtysh, Ishim and Tobol, carrying their water to the Arctic Ocean. Kazakhstan has 48,000 lakes. The largest of them are Balkhash, Zaisan, Alakol, Tengiz and Seletengiz.




    Kazakhstan occupies the northern part and half of the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. The Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea coastline is 2340 km. The major part of Kazakhstan is occupied by deserts and steppes. The rest of the area is covered by semi-deserts and forests. The flora and fauna consist of 155 species of mammals, 480 species of birds, 150 species of fishes and about 250 species of medicinal plants, with very rare ones among them.


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    Friday, January 6, 2017

    EI - Ireland on 60m band

    Irish Amateurs now have WRC-15 60m Allocation

    Seán,  EI7CD IRTS/ ComReg Liaison Officer announced on Thursday 22nd December 2016 that Irish regulator ComReg has released the new WRC-15 60m allocation:
     
    “ComReg has just today published an amended version of the Amateur Station Guidelines in Document ComReg 09/45R2. The main revision is that the WRC-15 band of 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz has been released with immediate effect on a secondary basis. No application or fee is necessary for this segment. The power is 15 watts PEP (12dBW) measured at the output of the transmitter or amplifier. All modes including digi modes may be used.


    The WRC-15 decision was for 15 watts EIRP and this will be taken up with ComReg. The Society recommends that USB be used for voice as has been the convention on this band and as used by the primary user and that the provisional IARU band plan be used:

    5351.5 - 5354.0 kHz CW, Narrow band Modes
    5354.0 - 5366.0 kHz All modes USB for voice
    5366.0 - 5366.5 kHz weak signal narrow band modes.




    This allocation does not affect the availability of the existing channels centered on 5280, 5300, 5332, 5348, 5400 and 5405 kHz.

    Special authorization is still required for these channels at an annual license fee of €30. Let’s hope for some more activity on 5 MHz to help our case for an increased allocation.

    Seán EI7CD IRTS/ ComReg Liaison”

     
    EI7GL Blog :
    URL for ComReg Document  09/45R2 :
    (scroll down and download)
     
    (Tnx: EI7CS, EI7GL, ComReg, GB2RS)

    (Special thanks to Paul, G4MWO for sharing this information)

    Land & Geography


  • Ireland is a snake-free island. Due to its isolation from the European mainland, Ireland lacks several species common elsewhere in Europe, such as moles, weasels, polecats or roe deer.

  • At a height of 688 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, Croaghaun (on Achill Island) are the second highest cliffs in Europe - after Cape Enniberg in the Faroe Islands.




  • Phoenix Park in Dublin is the third largest walled city parks in Europe after La Mandria in Venaria Reale (Turin) and Richmond Park in London. It covers 707 hectares (1,750 acres).

  • The Irish National Stud's Japanese Gardens, laid between 1906 and 1910 by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida, are considered the finest of their kind in Europe. They are located in Kildare.

  • The Tara Mine near Navan, County Meath, is the largest zinc mine in Europe, and the fifth largest in the world.



  • 73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-


    HB - Switzerland on 60m band


    Hello,

    Swiss got WRC-15 band preliminary allocation on January 1st 2017.
    As usual the 15W EIRP only...

    The list of active station is here:
    HB9AMO, HB9DAX, HB9ODI, HB9OQ, HB9TPT, HB9FAX, HB9HFN, HB9CVQ, HB9DCO and many others.

    Unfortunately most of them is running JT65 so making the CW QSO with HB9 is still not as easy as it sounds to be...


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-

    5 MHz GB2RS News Transmission Time Change

    Hello,

    Due to ongoing propagation changes, the team of  UK  5 MHz GB2RS Newsreaders have decided to revise the time of the Sunday afternoon GB2RS News bulletin in order to try and optimize reception conditions.
    The new transmission time will be 1500 hrs UTC . Please that this is UTC and not local time, which is to cater for seasonal propagation and clock changes.
     
    The transmission frequency remains unchanged at 5398.5 kHz USB.  It is hoped to commence the change from the 22nd January transmission.

    (Many thanks to paul, G4MWO for sharing this information)


    73 - Petr, OK1RP
    .../-.-