60m Band comes to Cyprus

Amateur/Ham Radio Operators located or activein Paphos now have access to a 60m band allocation between 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz.

Access was granted on 30th June 2017, when the Cypriot National Band Plan was updated in the Cyprus National Gazette. 

US Radio Hams May Retain Full 76-81 GHz band

The ARRL appear hopeful that Amateur Radio will retain the full 76-81 GHz Band, sharing with vehicular radars

ARRL Hopefull hams will retain full access to 76-81 GHz

In a draft Report and Order (ET Docket No. 15-26) to be considered at its 13th July 2017 open meeting, the FCC is proposing to lift a nearly 2-decade-old suspension of Amateur Radio access to 76-77 GHz, giving the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services access to the full 76-81 GHz band on a secondary basis.

The FCC also reduced Amateur Radio’s status from primary to secondary in the 77-77.5 GHz segment, to match the rest of the 76-81 GHz band, and it imposed a uniform power level limit for users of the band. The draft Report and Order (R&O) concludes that Amateur Radio and vehicular radars will be able to successfully share the millimeter-wave band with minor adjustments in the Amateur Service rules.

ARRL Story - http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-poised-to-retain-full-76-81-ghz-band-sharing-with-vehicular-radars

WIA consults - Increased Foundation Power

The Wireless Institute of Australia is holding a consultation about increasing the Foundation power level to 50 watts and removing some of the restrictions
 
When Foundation was introduced into Australia in 2005/6 holders were given a very low power level, were banned from using Digital Modes or doing DIY and could only use a limited number of bands. They were also given unusually long 7 character callsigns in the format VKnFxxx.
 
The WIA is now seeking to remove these restrictions.  ‘
 
The Institute also wishes to increase the power of the Standard license, which is equivalent to UK Intermediate, to 200 watts output and to remove the bandwidth restrictions. 
 
For Advanced they want 1 kW output and additional frequencies.
 
The WIA License Consultation - https://www.wia.org.au/joinwia/wia/FutureLicenceConditionsConsultationPhase2/