[Lowfer] 472-479 kHz

[K2ORS]

Hi Doug,
       Good points.
As far as the European 136kHz band, the limit is 1W ERP (not EIRP), the 
inconsistency is maddenening some times!
Many European LF operators live on small lots ("gardens" is the U.K. term 
for what we call a yard), and don't come close to 1W ERP.
Perhaps one or two operators likely exceed the 1W limit, perhaps preferring 
not to know their exact ERP!

   It is not likely that the FCC will go around measuring EIRP of stations 
in the 472-479kHz band, and in any case would only pay attention if there 
was an interference complaint, so it is probably not critical for anyone to 
know their exact EIRP.

As far as 472-479 kHz, I wouldn't expect a flood of new operators if it 
becomes a ham band here (more like a trickle).
There was a thread on the qrz.com web site angrily condemming the ARRL for 
pursuing the MF allocation at WARC. The consensus was that 1W EIRP on a 7 
kHz wide band was a waste of time and there were all sorts of suggestions 
encouraging hams to 'punish' the ARRL (No good deed goes unpunished!) That 
and the appliance operator mentality that is prevalant will mean that there 
will be maybe a handful of new operators when the hams are finally allowed 
on MF. Perhaps we will see activity levels back up to what we saw a few 
years ago when the WD2XSH and WE2XGR licenses were first issued.

73 Warren K2ORS


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Douglas D. Williams" <kb4oer at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of the Lowfer (US, European, &amp, UK) and MedFer bands" 
<lowfer at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 8:52 AM
Subject: [Lowfer] 472-479 kHz


> So what do you gentlemen think about the WRC-12 MF amateur radio
> allocation? If I understand correctly, it seems that any nation not 
> wishing
> the allocation can simply "opt out". Do you think the FCC will?
>
> 7 kHz isn't very much spectrum, so I imagine all that will be allowed is 
> CW
> and narrowband digital modes.
>
> 1 watt EIRP doesn't sound like much, but it is still far more power than
> allowed in the part 15 "Lowfer" band (1 watt INPUT). Even though the
> frequency is higher, most amateurs are still only going to
> manage very physically short (for the wavelength) antenna.
>
> Speaking of the EIRP limit, I wonder how most amateurs will adhere to that
> rule? Knowing how much power you are putting INTO the antenna is a simple
> matter of a wattmeter. Knowing just how efficient your antenna is at
> radiating that power seems a bit more complicated.
>
> How do the European nations handle the 136 kHz allocation they have? Do
> they have an EIRP limit or a simple Input power limit?
>
> -Doug
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