70 MHz Access for German Radio Hams

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) report radio amateurs in Germany will have access to the 70 MHz band during the Sporadic-E season 

Holders of the class A license are able to use a limited portion of the band. In the Official Journal of Communication no. 412/2015 of April 29, 2015 the following provisions were published: 

• Frequency range: 70.150 MHz to 70.180 MHz
• Transmission power: 25 watts ERP
• Maximum bandwidth: 12 kHz
• All classes of emission
• Antennas: horizontal polarization
• Period: from now until August 31, 2015

The Amateur Radio is a secondary user and has to ensure the protection of the primary radio services.

Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) in Google English - http://tinyurl.com/GermanyDARC

New Entry Level Licence for Germany?

Representatives of the Amateur Radio Round Table (RTA) met with officials from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) to discuss a new entry licence level during a six hour meeting.

Because of the Federal Government's proposed 2018 fee schedule, there is a need to alter the Amateur Radio Act (AFuG). The RTA hope to use this opportunity to introduce some changes to the act. 

In total, more than 30 different modifications or amendments have been proposed.

DARC members can access further information - http://www.darc.de/aktuelles/vorstandsinformationen

Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) in Google English - http://tinyurl.com/GermanyDARC

Ham radio numbers fall in Germany

In 2014 the number of German radio amateurs fell for the 5th successive year 

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) report that on 31 December 2014 there were a total of 67,468 licences of which 60,019 were Class A (CEPT Class 1) and 7,449 were Class E (CEPT Novice).

Amateur licence total as of 31 December in each year

• 2014 - 67,468
• 2013 - 68,191
• 2012 - 70,446
• 2011 - 71,659
• 2010 - 72,293

The DARC say the number of DN call signs assigned for training young people has been increasing: 

• 2014 - 2925
• 2013 - 2711
• 2012 - 2528
• 2011 - 2353
• 2010 - 2126

The number of exam candidates were:

• 2014 - 991
• 2013 - 909
• 2012 - 804

Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) in Google English - http://tinyurl.com/GermanyDARC

Ofcom Considers 10.475 and 47 GHz Bands for 5G

The Amateur Satellite Service allocations at 10.475 GHz and 47.0 GHz are being considered by Ofcom for 5G use.

Ofcom has published an update on spectrum bands above 6 GHz that might be suitable for next generation mobile, often referred to as '5G' – the fifth generation of mobile services.

This document summarises responses from Ofcom's earlier Call for Input in January and sets out their current views on bands and next steps. 

The update identifies several bands in different parts of the 6 – 100 GHz range, including 10.475-10.575 GHz and 47.000-47.200 GHz, they believe are candidates for further study for use in the UK.

Ofcom’s goal is to have globally harmonised bands for next generation mobile services and is currently engaging with other administrations around the world, ahead of these services becoming commercially available in the next five to six years.

Consideration of these bands will now be taken forward in forthcoming international discussions, including the World Radiocommunication Conference-15 (WRC-15) at which the scope of a future WRC-19 agenda item on bands above 6 GHz will be considered.

This does not guarantee these bands will be adopted in the future and Ofcom do not rule out considering other options ahead of WRC-15, pending further research and development.

Ofcom Above 6 GHz consultation page - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/above-6ghz/update-apr15/

Laying the foundations for next generation mobile services: Update on bands above 6 GHz - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/above-6ghz/5G_CFI_Update_and_Next_Steps.pdf

Quotient Associates - 5G Candidate Band Study - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/above-6ghz/qa-report.pdf

Frequencies of Es’hail 2 Geostationary Amateur Radio Transponders - 
http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/21/eshail-2-ham-radio-transponders/