[OFARC] Getting on our new LF radio allocation

[Ralph]

Amateur radio operators in the US have recently been granted an 
allocation in the LOW frequency (LF) bands.

We are now allowed 135.7-137.8 kHz and 472-479 kHz

Being chronically curious, I looked for articles about LF operation and 
found some very nice ones.

The two attached are from 1993 and 1994, but have valuable information. on

     how the bands behave

     list of becons (old list)

     antenna design

*Low frequency operating group web page .... http://lwca.org/*

Here are the highlights of our new bands ....

  * Amateurs operating on 472-479 kHz will be permitted a maximum
    equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) of 5 W, except in
    parts of Alaska within 800 kilometers (approximately 496 miles) of
    Russia, where the maximum would be 1 W EIRP. [EIRP is the product of
    the power supplied to the antenna and the antenna gain in a given
    direction, relative to an isotropic antenna (absolute or isotropic
    gain). EIRP is equal to ERP multiplied by 1.64.]
  * Amateurs operating in the 135.7-137.8 kHz band will be permitted to
    run up to 1 W EIRP.
  * The FCC is requiring a 1-kilometer separation distance between radio
    amateurs using the two new bands and electric power transmission
    lines with PLC systems on those bands.Amateur Radio operators will
    have to notify the UTC of station location prior to commencing
    operations.The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will provide
    details on the notification process later, but ARRL is urging radio
    amateurs interested in operating on either band to register at the
    earliest opportunity, to avoid having to protect any
    “post-notification” PLCs.
  * The FCC placed a 60-meter (approximately 197 feet)
    above-ground-level (AGL) height limit on transmitting antennas used
    on 630 meters and 2,200 meters.
  * The bands would be available to General class and higher licensees,
    and permissible modes would include CW, RTTY, data, phone, and
    image. Automatically controlled stations would be permitted to
    operate in the bands.


please pay attention to the LOW transmit power allowed

NOTE ... a previous post by John Westerlage provided a link for applying 
to UTC for your location.

I have already done so and am approved to operate from my home.


It turns out my ICOM 706 will receive down to 30 kHz, so I should be 
able to hear some signals

(my Kenwood TS-140 only goes down to 500kHz)

I plan to start listening for signals using my 10m vertical antenna 
(most signals will be vertically polarized)

Transmitting will require a new antena and a new radio or "down-converter".


73

KE5HDF

Ralph

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