[Milsurplus] [ARC5] 500 Kc XMTR

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 17 Sep 2017 at 19:38, Hubert Miller wrote:

> What was the rationale for the power limit? RFI to civilians?
> -Hue

No. Not at all. Several reasons, among them, possible interference to PLC. 

In addition, the USCG claims ownership of that spectrum. They have had plans for years to 
install high-accuracy ground-mounted GPS systems there, although they have never, ever, 
gotten funding for it, and the new eLoran will work better anyway.

FYI, I have been involved in trying to "resurrect" the 600 meter band for at least the past 20 
years. I started the forum, 600MRG, for 600 Meter Research Group then, and still support it 
now.

At one time, we had worked very hard to get a group license to operate in that band, 450 to 
510 kHz, and had the license in hand after at least 2 years of work, one or two of our group 
actually got on the air, and the USCG suddenly shut the entire effort down as they had been 
"missed" in the discussions which the FCC had initiated with users of that band.

BTW, there were certain FCC agents who enthusiasticlly supported our efforts and gave us 
very significant help to get our license. We were both very grateful and somewhat surprised 
at their efforts.

After that, within a few years, some started to apply for, and receive, experimental licenses 
to operate on spot frequencies in the band.

Then Dr. Fred Rabb (I forget his call) managed, after at least 3 years of work, to get a 
"group" experimental license to operate over a very small range of frequencies in the band. 
He had to have help from the ARRL to finally get action out of the FCC.

Then things built from there.

So, from my perspective, it has taken at least 20 years to get to where we are now.

In addition, of course, there is the group, most of whom are hams, who put KPH back on the 
air. It turns out that many of the original coastal 600 meter stations, and even some ships, 
had valid licenses for operation in that band which had never expired, and which the FCC 
will still renew today. In fact, I know of at least one case where someone in the midwest 
applied for and received a NEW license for such a station.

Ken W7EKB

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