New Zealand hopes to get 50-51 MHz

Radio amateurs in New Zealand hope to get 50-51 MHz when Channel 1 TV shuts down.

The bottom end of the 6 meter band (50 to 51 MHz) is to be returned to New Zealand Amateurs once all Channel 1 television has ceased and the current management right for this expires.

What may not be known is that the last channel 1 television transmitter is not due to close down until November 2013 and the management right under which they operate does not expire until August 2015.   

NZART is working with Radio Spectrum Management on arrangements for the period between when all the Channel 1 transmitters are turned off and the management right expires. 

In the interim, the current arrangements will continue; an amateur in an area where channel 1 is no longer operating can apply for a permit to operate by contacting Radio Spectrum Management atinfo@rsm.govt.nz or on 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) .

FCC to allow additional emission types

On 2 October 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket No. 12-121 that seeks to change the Amateur Radio licensing rules, especially as they concern former licensees.

Acting upon an April 2011 Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Anchorage VEC to give permanent credit to radio amateurs for examination elements they have successfully passed, the FCC proposes to revise Section 97.505 to require that Volunteer Examiners (VEs) give examination credit to an applicant who can demonstrate that he or she formerly held a particular class of license.

In addition, the Commission seeks to shorten the grace period during which an expired amateur license may be renewed and to reduce the number of VEs needed to administer an amateur license examination.

In response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the ARRL in March 2011, the FCC looks to amend the Amateur Service rules to allow amateur stations to transmit additional emission types in order to permit Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) in the Amateur Service.<br />But in doing so, it denied the League's request for a blanket waiver pending the resolution of the rulemaking proceeding.

Comments on these proposed rules changes will be accepted until 60 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register (this can take up to six weeks after release of the NPRM). Reply comments will be accepted until 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Complete information can be found at - http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-change-amateur-radio-licensing-rules-allow-additional-emission-types.

Sweden loses 2.3 GHz band

Swedish radio amateurs have lost the 2300 MHz band although they have gained some spectrum at 1.8 MHz.

The Swedish Amateur Radio Society (SSA) has announced the loss of the 2300 MHz band with effect from October 1. 2400-2450 MHz is still allocated for amateur radio operation but the power there is limited to just 100 milliwatts at the antenna.

Sweden used to have "Top Band" allocations of 1810 - 1850 kHz (max 1 kW) and 1930 - 2000 kHz (max. 10 W). From October 1 this will change to 1810 - 1850 kHz with 1 kW and 1850 - 2000 kHz with a maximum of 10 watts. Power output is measured at the antenna.

Sweden - Microwave Spectrum Issues at EME 2012 - http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10253

Swedish Regulator PTS decides on more space for unlicensed radio use - http://tinyurl.com/Sweden-PTS-2012-10-01

Swedish Amateur Radio Society (SSA) - http://tinyurl.com/SwedenSSA