Germany Likely to Get Full 4 Metres Band Back

Since there was no extension at the end of 2025 to the temporary permission for radio amateurs in Germany to operate in part of the 4m band from 70.150-70.210 MHz, no operation on the band has been permitted in 2026. 

As reported in the DARC's "Radio DARC" broadcast on Sunday 5th July, a recently released communication number 364/26, signed by Friedrich Merz, DK7DQ, sent from the Bundeskabinett to the Bundesrat (two parts of the German government), contains footnote number 12 on page 61 which states that there is no objection to the frequency range from 70.0 - 70.5MHz (i.e. the full 4-metre band allocation) being allocated for amateur use on a secondary, non-interference and no protection from interference from military or commercial users, basis.

This, however, is only the first step for this new (hopefully permanent) allocation. First, the action will need to be authorised at a meeting on July 10th (Friday of the week that we are recording this ICQ Podcast), and following that, how long it will take for full implementation is unknown; however, the commentator on Radio DARC believes it is unlikely that this will be made law before the end of this year's current Sporadic E season.