ICASA - extends the SARL 5 MHZ license

Update March 2014:
SARL 5 MHz Licence renewed...

ICASA has renewed the SARL 5 MHz Licence for another month pending a decision by the ICASA Council to grant a long term licence which will only expire with the start of the WRC15 in November next year.

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ICASA has extended the SARL 5 MHz license till the end of February 2014.This follows SARL application for ICASA to review the license and grant facilities up to at least the start of the WRC 2015. Currently the SARL holds a pilot license for 5 250 and 5 260 kHz. While the SARL applied for extension of the license for a further period it also appealed to the Chairperson of ICASA, Dr Stephen Mnube, to consider issuing the SARL with a long term authority to use these two frequencies to continue propagation research till at least the WRX15 conference.

A35 - The Kingdom of Tonga on 60m by Chris, GM3WOJ

Hello,

Chris GM3WOJ (A35V) and Keith GM4YXI (A35X) will be active from Tonga between April 4-18, 2014.
QRV on 160-10m, CW/SSB and RTTY.

According to last information Chris is hopeful he’ll get 60m permission once on the island.

More updated informations You can get here:
http://a35va35x.com/index.htm

The QSL manager for A35V and A35X is Kim Larson N3SL.

According to VOACAP simulation/prediction it seems to be very hard on 60m for OK land...

I wish good luck to all when Chris will get the permission and operate on 60m band...

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

ZD8 - Ascension Isl. on 60m by Werner, DJ9KH

Hello,

Werner, DJ9KH / ZD8D is trying the 60m on ch4 or ch5 during Friday 7th / Saturday 8th Mar nights this weekend and follow also the gray line. 
Werner is trying to look for Europe also but it seems that he has pretty bad receiving conditions on the island. Werner is giving only 539/529 to guys with high power into verticals... If you will hear or work ZD8D overe there let us know on 60m DX Logger please. 

Since Werner will be on channel 4 or 5 it would be nice if we would all relinquish the freqs as these two channels are most common to most countries. This would be a great time to add another country to our DX list.

Tonite (9Mar14) around 00Z he was on ch5 switching to ch4 with solid S5-S6 but unfortunately there was a lot of QRM on both channels. No way for QSO with low power into dipole from my location.

I heard that few of happy EU friends worked Werner so its not mission impossible but it depends to condx and local QRM.

So look for Werner ZD8Z on ch5 / ch4 between 23:30 - 01:00Z on 60m and wish You good luck with new one? 

73 - Petr, OK1RP

.../-.-

Yaesu FT-450D on 60m band mods

Hello,

there I am posting the MARS modification for Yaesu FT-450D which can open the radio also for 60m band as I found it on Youtube. (thank You to author "Yvo Muniz" for posting it and sharing his job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8kqyekwPxc

There is another way for FT-450D mod to open TX for 60m band in text form (thanks to John, M0OBU)

* Remove covers (Top/Bottom) 
* Remove front panel (lift 4 plastic clips) Remove metal shield from body (screws) Locate jumpers JP2002 - JP2009 Clear top jumper.
* Fill # 6 from top with solder (bridge)
* Replace front & covers.
* Reset by holding IPO/ATT+AGC +NB & turn on.
* Rotate multifunction knob left(CCW) till "type" appears in display.
* Briefly press "F" key then press NB ("t" appears) Press & hold "F" key 3 seconds.

A long BEEP will sound & screen will clear before indicating frequency.


Hope it helps,

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

C3 - Andorra on 60m - status by Salvador, C31CT

Hello,

here I am posting the actual status of the 60m band in C3 - Andorra updated by 26 Feb 2014...

As A.R.D.A.M Association, C37AC informed: 10 Feb 2014 they have asked the government to release complete 60 m band in Andorra for ham radio operation or at least the same channels allocation which was allowed for 2014 year in Spain, EA. 

Thank You very much to Salvador friend, C31CT for an updated information from A.R.D.A.M Ass. and  I hope that we will not need to wait as long as Spanish friend last years. I am wishing good luck!

See also WebSDR receiver by Salvador, C31CT on 60m band.

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

LZ - Bulgaria 60m band allocation by Danev, LZ1US

Latest from IARU R1 Bulgarian Rep Panayot Danev, LZ1US

New Amateur Bands in Bulgaria

New amateur bands have been allowed in Bulgaria. In the future LZ hams will be able to use bands 472-479 kHz, 5250-5450 kHz, 70.0-70.5 MHz and in addition 1.8 MHz band has been extended up to 2 MHz. All those bands have to be used on secondary basis.

Important note is coming from Paul, G4MWO (tnx) that they don't come into operation until published in their national government gazette!


Congrats to LZ guys and hope to meet on 60m band quite often.

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


Update 26 Feb 2014:
http://www.bfra.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=643&Itemid=1
(tnx to Dezo, OM5NA)

The 60m band in US - proposals, future, discussion...

Hello,

an actual threat about the 60m band in US (and not only) You can find here:

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?422925-HamRadioNow-A-60-Meter-BAND-Maybe-Brennan-Price-tell-us-more!


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