New 5 MHz Channels in Eire

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ComReg has allocated three new 3 kHz channels in the 5 MHz band to the amateur service on a secondary basis.

The three new channels are centred on 5300, 5332 and 5348 kHz. In responding to the ComReg's Proposed Spectrum Strategy for 2011-2013, IRTS sought these channels and ComReg agreed to consider the matter in consultation with current users of that spectrum. We are pleased at the positive outcome of these consultations and we appreciate the efforts of ComReg in being in a position to allocate the new channels within the period of the Spectrum Strategy.

There are now six 3 kHz channels at 5 MHz available to licensed amateurs. These are centred on 5280, 5300, 5332, 5348, 5400 and 5405 kHz. It is the convention to use upper sideband on this band.

It should be remembered that additional authorisation is required to operate on the 5 MHz band and application to do so must be made to ComReg on form 09/45(d).

5 MHz Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukfivemegs

Icelandic Radio Hams get 472 kHz band

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The national association of Icelandic Radio Amateurs, I.R.A., is pleased to announce that as of 16 January 2013 Icelandic Radio Amateurs have been granted operating privileges on 472-479 kHz (630 meters).

In addition, The Post and Telecom Administration in Iceland (PTA), recently extended temporary permits as of 1 January 2013 on the following bands: 160 meters (1850-1900 kHz), 60 meters (5.260-5.410 MHz) and on 4 meters (70.000-70.200 MHz).

A NEW 630 METER ALLOCATION

Power is 5W EIRP and maximum bandwidth is 1 kHz. This new allocation is open to the “G” license class (higher). A previous temporary allocation on 493-510 kHz was closed on December 31, 2012.

160 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED

The temporary allocation on 1850-1900 kHz has been renewed for the calendar year 2013. Access is granted on secondary basis. This allocation may only be used during the duration of 10 designated international amateur radio contests. Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

60 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED

The temporary allocation on 5.260-5.410 MHz has been renewed for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. Access is granted on secondary basis. Permissible modes are USB, CW and PSK-31. Maximum bandwidth is 3 kHz. Power limit is 100W. Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

 4 METER ALLOCATION RENEWED

The temporary allocation on 70.000-70.200 MHz has been renewed for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. Access is granted on secondary basis. Maximum bandwidth is 16 kHz and power limit is 100W.

Licensees need to apply to the PTA for a special permit, which is open to both license classes.

Irish radio amateurs get new MF allocation

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The Irish Radio Transmitters Society have been informed by ComReg that the band segment 472 to 479 kHz becomes available to all licensed radio amateurs in Ireland, on a secondary basis, with effect from 1 January 2013.

The maximum power is 5 watts (7 dBW) and the modes available are CW, QRSS, and narrow band digital modes.

Stations in the Amateur service operating in this band shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, stations of the aeronautical radionavigation service or stations of the maritime service. The amateur service shall ensure that no harmful interference is caused to the frequency 490 kHz which is used exclusively for the transmission by coast stations of navigational and meteorological and urgent information to ships.

This announcement arises from a decision taken at WRC-12 and is the result of a number of years of lobbying by the IARU and its Member Societies worldwide. The Test Licence held from ComReg by IRTS under which a number of licensed amateurs were given permission to operate in the band segment 501 to 504 kHz expires on 2 January 2013.

Licensed amateurs who had received such permission must cease operation on 501 to 504 kHz as and from Wednesday 2 January 2013 at the latest.

The Society appreciates that ComReg has made this new allocation available to licensed radio amateurs from the earliest date possible under the WRC-12 decision.