[Elecraft] OT- 60 m band - 5 Mhz

[Jim Wiley]

Johnny -


I can give you some general ideas about the "why" of the 60 meter band 
in the USA.  First, the allocation was granted in response to a petition 
requesting a new band in the 5 MHz range. 


The primary justification offered was that the propagation 
characteristics of the 60 meter band would be expected to  be  useful 
when either the 75 meter band or the 40 meter band was not optimum for 
the traffic to be passed.  The increased flexibility would be useful in 
time of emergency.   The FCC agreed that  this was a valid reason for 
the allocation.


Second, the band was "channelized" to 5 discrete spots, as opposed to 
the "anywhere in the band" method used for all other bands.  Because the 
band is available on a shared basis, and the amateur service is not the 
primary user, the FCC stated that the use of discrete channels was the 
only way they could guarantee that interference to other users would be 
as low as possible.  Apparently, the "sharing" of frequencies on the 30 
meter band (another band where amateur radio is a secondary user) had 
generated some complaints.  I don't know how true this is, perhaps it is 
just a rumor. But, in any case, the 60 meter band ended up as a 
"discrete channel" operation.


There have been occasional reports that the FCC is considering "opening 
up" the band to other modes.  As things stand now,  60 meters  is the 
only USA allocated HF band where CW operation is prohibited.  In fact, 
the only mode permitted is USB voice, which is somewhat at odds with 
normal amateur practice, where all bands below 7.3 MHz use LSB for SSB 
operation.   Perhaps someday we will see other modes, VFO operation, and 
even a somewhat expanded frequency allocation, but there is no way to 
know if this will ever happen. 


Another quirk is the power limitation, 50 watts PEP maximum ERP, an 
unusual requirement to be sure.  This is possibly another accommodation 
to the primary users of the band.  The power limitations have proven 
problematical for some who attempt to use the band, as higher power 
levels are often useful when attempting to overcome the effects of poor 
propagation.


All these things together have operated to make the 60 meter band rather 
less used than some had originally  expected.  I suspect that when and 
if the rules are relaxed a bit, we will see more use.   


Jim, KL7CC




Johnny Siu wrote:
> Hello Group, 
>
> It is off-topic.
>
> I understand that there is 60m channels in USA.  Could any of you advise what is the rationale behind of 60m band allocation?  Is there any propagation advantage or ARES requirements related to 60m band allocation?
>
> Could you please direct me to the right web-link for my further reference?  There is NO 60m channels allocation in Hong Kong.
>
> Thank you for your help in advance.
>
> 73
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
>       
>
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