[ADXA] New 60-meter Band Allocation

Thu Dec 11 08:09:22 EST 2025

As an “addenda” to Rick’s very wise advice about paying special attention to following the rules on 60-meters, remember this is a secondary allocation to the amateur radio service, NOT primary as our other HF allocations are. 

For those who may not be familiar with radio spectrum allocations, it is allocated to ALL users on a primary and secondary basis. Services that have a secondary allocation shall not cause interference to, and must accept interference from, the primary user. The very important part here is the primary user on 60-meters is the US government and they are watching. Some warnings have already been sent to ARRL’s General Counsel. 

If you’re interested in how the 60-meter allocation was originally authorized I can give you all the full details, but not on email simply because it is a long story. Bottom line is the US gov’t refused for several years before finally agreeing. This was long before the rest of the world received an allocation.

Just be careful, ADXA folks, and let’s continue to set the example for everyone else.

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

From: adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of k5ur--- via ADXA
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:26 PM
To: adxa at mailman.qth.net; w5znjoel at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [ADXA] New 60-meter Band Allocation

Correct. The new rules won't be effective until 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, so folks need to QRX. 

Remember, we must be careful on that band. Our FCC Counsel has been reminded that compliance is especially important to the Commission. 

BTW, I've heard some well known DXers in the past operating off the designated frequencies to work a rare DX station on 60 meters. Not good. The FCC is still watching us on that band.

73,

K5UR

On Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 05:16:09 PM CST, w5znjoel at gmail.com <mailto:w5znjoel at gmail.com>  <w5znjoel at gmail.com <mailto:w5znjoel at gmail.com> > wrote: 

I have not seen an ARRL press release on this yet, but the FCC has issued a Report and Order December 9 authorizing expanded use of the 60 meter band that was adopted at WRC15 10 years ago. Good to see the FCC acting promptly!! Other countries adopted the WRC15 allocation years ago. Please note there is a power limit in this new segment of 15 watts EIRP. That’s effective “Isotropic” radiated power so ERP is lower, a tad less than 10 watts.

I did NOT dive deep enough to see when this will be effective. Usually it must be published it the Federal Registry first, so don’t jump down there tonight and start operating in the new segment (like some US hams have done, violating FCC rules!!)

Here is the specific text from the R&O but you can read the full R&O here  <https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-60A1.pdf> https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-60A1.pdf

B. Terrestrial Issues

1. Amateur Service in the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz Band

32. In this section, we make allocation decisions regarding amateur use of the 5351.5-5366.5

kHz band and the four discrete channels at 5332, 5348, 5373, and 5405 kHz that are outside of the band,

as well as the technical and operational characteristics amateurs must adhere to when utilizing the band

and the four discrete channels. The WRC-15 Final Acts allocated the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz band to the

amateur service on a secondary basis in all ITU regions and generally set a maximum radiated power at

15 watts equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP), equivalent to 9.15 watts effective radiated power

(ERP).113 In the WRC-15 Notice, the Commission sought comment on a number of proposals affecting

amateur use of this band, including whether to allocate the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz band to the Amateur Radio

Service on a secondary basis, whether the amateur service should keep the existing four channels at 5332,

5348, 5373, and 5405 kHz they use that are outside of the new allocation (known by amateurs as the 60-

meter band), whether use and power limitations should be applied to the band, and the appropriate station

class for use of the band, among others.114

33. Under current Commission rules, the 5275-5450 kHz band is allocated for Federal/non-

Federal shared use to the fixed service on a primary basis and the mobile except aeronautical mobile

service on a secondary basis.115 Footnote US23 provides the amateur service with a secondary allocation

on five discrete channels – each with a maximum bandwidth of 2.8 kilohertz and centered on frequencies

5332, 5348, 5358.5, 5373, and 5405 kHz.116 Current Commission rules also allow stations in the amateur

service to transmit on these frequencies with a maximum ERP of 100 W peak envelope power (PEP) –

over ten times more powerful than WRC-15’s EIRP limit

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

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