[BCVHFA] DXing on 60 meters has a downside, ARRL advises

[K8CM]

ARRL Bulletin 11  ARLB011
 From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  April 5, 2007
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB011
ARLB011 DXing on 60 meters has a downside, ARRL advises

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. Upon request of 
a primary service user, Sumner says, it's ''absolutely imperative'' 
that hams be prepared to relinquish any 60-meter channel immediately. 
This means constantly monitoring the transmitting channel. Hams also 
must not exceed the radiated power limit, he stressed.

Not all countries authorize amateur operation on 60 meters. 
Transmitting on a 5 MHz frequency without authorization not only 
breaks the law but jeopardizes the operator's continued participation 
in the ARRL DXCC program. Five MHz cards submitted for DXCC may not 
be accepted for credit without evidence the operation was authorized.

Sumner emphasized that causing harmful interference to fixed and 
mobile service stations could jeopardize even the existing, limited 
privileges as well as the chances of increasing those privileges on a 
domestic basis, plus any possibility of obtaining an international 
allocation on 60 meters.

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