I worked 60m for a couple years, but I stopped almost a year ago for fear of deviating from the norm by accident plus it was just wasted effort.  The rules are crazy to say the least and I'm sure that most users have violated at least one or two of them.  The EFHW I built for that band is still up since I don't have anything to go in its place just yet.  

However if down the road, the FCC gives proper access and the ARRL starts including the blacklog of 60m QSO's for awards, I will probably get back on feeling confident in my operation there.  

Better safe than sorry. 

73's
George - WB5JJJ


4


On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 4:16 PM <w5zn@w5zn.org> wrote:

ADXA Folks,

There has been renewed 60 meter (5 MHz) discussion now that DXpeditions have fired back up. I want to make sure everyone understands that contacts on 5 MHz, the 60 meter band, do NOT.....repeat do NOT count for any ARRL operating award and that includes DXCC!

The amateur radio service has access to this band on a shared basis. The stated purpose in convincing the United States government to allow access by radio amateurs on a secondary, non-interfering bases is for emergency communications in order to bridge the propagation gap between 80/75 meters and 40 meters. As such, ARRL does not permit credits for any award from contacts confirmed on this band, including the Mixed DXCC award.

So, if you have a 60 meter contact that you intend to submit for DXCC credit in the Mixed, Phone, CW or Digital DXCC you will need to submit a valid confirmed contact from another band. A confirmed 5 MHz contact will NOT be credited.

Also, please pay specific attention to the frequencies that United States radio amateurs are authorized to operate on in the 5 MHz band. We are only authorized five discreet, fixed frequency "channels". Some of the DXpedition operation on voice and CW has NOT been on these USA authorized frequencies. The DXpedition was legally authorized by the government issuing their license to do so however our regulations and authorizations are different in some cases.

Just want to make sure we're all clear on this point. Its fun to work DX stations on 60 meters, just don't expect to receive any award recognition for it. And BEHAVE YOURSELF!!! DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO WORK THE DX STATION OUTSIDE YOUR AUTHORIZATION as some malcontent's in the USA with a self serving attitude have done. Doing so places the United States 5 MHz allocation for the amateur radio service in jeopardy (and I'm not talking the game show!).

73 Joel W5ZN

______________________________________________________________
ADXA mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/adxa
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:ADXA@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html