Cuba begins issuing 60m licences

The Agency of Control and Supervision of Cuba is accepting applications for experimental transmissions in the band of 5 MHz.

The resolution 7/2014 of the Ministry of Communications authorized normal use of the band on a secondary basis, but it's intended use will be in the emergency network; ie if a situation of emergency arise anywhere in the country, this band is reserved for emergency communications only, always observing the a secondary basis use.

The maximum allowed power outputs of 50 watts in the first and second categories and 10 watts for the novices, with the possibility of reaching 100 watts tops on any category when required if the station takes part in a network of civil protection.

International contacts are not permitted, so that Cuban operators may transmit between 5,418 and 5,430 KHz, morse, SSB and PSK31, and can make QSOs with each other only.

Despite this limitation, amateurs of Cuba appreciate any SWL reports on his signals from other countries via SWL QSLs or in a simple email.

Ofcom RF spectrum map

Ofcom’s Interactive RF Spectrum Map is an easy way to browse and search how different spectrum bands are used in the United Kingdom

Use the dashboard to find out how spectrum is being used, by sector and by product/application. The map covers spectrum from 8.3 kHz to 275 GHz.

Visit - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/spectrum/map.html

New 472-479khz spectrum allocation for Amateur Radio in Canada

Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) is pleased to announce the official Canadian implementation of the 472-479 kHz band. “Agreed to in 2012 at the World Radio Conference (WRC), and now approved in Canada this is more good news for Canadian amateur radio”, said RAC President Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, enthusiastically.

The amateur service is now authorized to use the 472-479 kHz band with the release of the new Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations by Industry Canada. While approved at WRC 12 by the ITU, each country then must implement regulations for its amateurs before the band is available. Operations are subject to the international foot notes, which limit power to 5 watts EIRP except in certain areas within 800 km of certain other countries.

The RAC 0-30 MHz Band Planning Committee will be proposing a suitable band plan to enable best use of this new very narrow band. Comments and suggestions may be sent to the committee via rachq@rac.ca. Those looking to become active on this new band are encouraged to write of their experiences for TCA, given the challenges of antennas and equipment for this new band.

This addition to our allocations is especially appropriate given that Industry Canada, with Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN, acting as a representative for both RAC and IARU, lead the charge for this new band at WRC 12. Of course, WRC 12 was the end of a long process that started many years earlier and many others need to be recognized for their contributions: Industry Canada which brought together all of the industry players to form consensus, Ken Pulfer VE3PU (SK) who started it all off and provided help and insight throughout the multi-year process, Dave Conn VE3KL did the critical antenna analyses. Jim Dean VE3IQ oversaw getting licenses for 504 – 509 kHz experiments to verify non-interference to power control systems. Also, Norm Rashleigh VE3LC who guided the favourable responses to the proposed amateur secondary allocation at 472-479 kHz through IC’s Request for Public Consultations on the WRC-12 decisions. Many others also provided valuable support and work over a seven year process.

Canadian amateur operators have two new segments of spectrum thanks to the very hard work by RAC with our regulator. Five 60 meter band channels were made available by Industry Canada a few month ago.

Industry Canada release - http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01678.html