Mobile Stations to Expand Frequency use Worldwide

One of the agreements to emerge from the recent World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai is the expanded spectrum becoming available for use by certain mobile base stations internationally. The designated parts of the spectrum are at 700 to 900 MHz, 1.7 GHz and 2.5 GHz. This is intended to give greater flexibility to operators around the world making use of HAPS mobile broadband communication, also known as High Altitude Platform Station communication. According to the International Telecommunication Union, any fixed-point radio station situated 20 to 50 kilometres above the Earth is a high-altitude platform station.

The company that has led the spectrum-expansion proposal for the past few years is the SoftBank Corporation. The Japanese company has been studying international standardization for such use since the issue was put on the WRC 2023 agenda four years ago during WRC 2019. HAPS technology has also been recognised as useful for communications during disaster recovery, especially when storms or other events have left terrestrial networks damaged.

Hams Help Community Radio Station Get Back on Air

Because of amateur radio, community radio station KNYO, is going to start the coming year very differently from the way it did this year. Eleven months ago, the low-power FM station in Fort Bragg, California lost its antenna after the collapse of the 70-foot pine tree which was being used as its tower. The FCC authorised a temporary fix that authorised the antenna to be installed on a mast one-third that height, putting the all-volunteer station back on the air.

Then an October thunderstorm struck and the signal went silent again. That's when hams from the Mendocino County Amateur Radio Communication Service, NC6MC, stepped in. After station volunteers could not determine what had gone wrong, the club's president Derek Hoyle, KE6EBZ, sent a team over to help investigate.

The hams discovered that lightning had struck the antenna during the storm. The lightning arrestor was damaged and several connectors had been knocked out. Repairs quickly got underway.

“The KNYO Ft. Bragg antenna saga serves as a testament to the power of community and the generosity of individuals who come together in times of need.”

— Bob Young

Hopefully, 2024 will begin with smoother operation - and better weather - for station KNYO. If not, amateur radio is standing by.

Tradition Carries on in Sweden

The World Heritage Site in Grimeton, Sweden, once again fired up its 200kW Alexanderson alternator on Christmas Eve morning for a long wave transmission of a CW message of peace.

What is important is that this 100-year-old transmitter is still functional and in this digital age, it is easy to forget where our technology comes from when everyone is obsessed with waterfalls and SDR. Sending this traditional message - as it does several times a year - is a reminder of the advances communication has made but also a reminder that some things are built to last!

This event is carried off with great devotion entirely by volunteers and those who are not fortunate enough to have a long wave receiver can listen on an SDR or watch it livestreamed on YouTube.

It was a success this year - and that is no small feat for this mammoth piece of equipment that has required maintenance and some repairs since it was put into service in 1924.