[SOC] British 5 MHz Experimentation

[Jan]

Was it this reflector where you guys were talking about 5 MHz? I still 
haven't found out who the 6-8 American experimenters were nor how they
were approved. Was this the British SOC effort or another that got this
going?

}


==>UK TO AUTHORIZE 5-MHZ EXPERIMENTAL OPERATION

Amateur Radio experimental operation on 5 MHz in the United Kingdom could
begin as soon as early August. The Radio Society of Great Britain has
announced that the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) and the UK's Ministry
of Defence have granted permission to allocate five frequencies in the
range 5250 kHz to 5450 kHz. The announcement opens up the possibility of
the first Amateur Radio transatlantic contacts on 60 meters.

Earlier this year, the FCC, responding to an ARRL petition, proposed
allocating 5250 to 5400 kHz to US amateurs on a secondary basis.
ARRL-sponsored experimental operation under the call sign WA2XSY
continues.

The RSGB said the purpose of what it's calling "The Fivemegs Experiment"
is to carry out propagation and antenna investigations aimed at improving
the understanding of near zenithal radiation or near-vertical incidence
skywave (NVIS) propagation. Frequencies to become available are 5260,
5280, 5290, 5400 and 5405 kHz. "These will be made available in the form
of 3-kHz bandwidth channels by way of a Notice of Variation (NoV) to
individual Amateur Radio licence holders," the RSGB announcement said.
Applications will be accepted starting July 29.

According to the RSGB, NoVs will only be issued to Full Class-A license
holders. As a "controlled experiment," UK amateurs authorized to operate
on 5 MHz will be required to report their findings and results to the
RSGB.

The Radiocommunications Agency is expected to issue the first NoVs on or
around August 1, with experimental operation getting under way a day or
two later. The RSGB anticipates that the experiment will run for up to
four years, terminating around August 2006.

An application form for UK amateurs and further details are available via
the RSGB RSGB Web site <http://www.rsgb.org> or via e-mail
ar.dept@rsgb.org.uk.

An amateur allocation in the vicinity of 5 MHz has long been an objective
of the International Amateur Radio Union. The IARU's Administrative
Council has approved a long-term goal of "a narrow allocation, even on a
shared basis in the vicinity of 5 MHz."



>From the ARRL Letter, current week. 73 Jan KF0Z #389