Hungary Reinstates Access to 60 Meters

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Hungarian National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) has published an update to the National Frequency Allocation Table to provide Amateur Radio access to the band 5,351.5 to 5,366.5 kHz at a maximum power of 15 W EIRP, per World Radiocommunication Conference 2015. Previously, 3-month permits were available to allow access to 5,350 to 5,450 kHz at 100 W, but these were discontinued in 2017

More information - http://www.kozlonyok.hu/nkonline/MKPDF/hiteles/MK18074.pdf

Threat to 70cm Ham Radio Band in Belgium

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Belgium Regulator BIPT is consulting on a proposal to restrict Amateur Radio access to 433.050 - 434.790 MHz in such a way that it will hardly be usable anymore

BIPT propose an outright ban on amateur Packet, ATV, DATV in that segment, and draconian restrictions on other modes such as FM which could be restricted to ultra low power - just 10 milliwatts - and a low TX duty cycle, just 30 seconds of TX time in 3 minutes.

The aim seems to be to protect license-exempt consumer short-range devices from interference. It appears BIPT considers car keys fobs, garage door remote controls, temperature sensors, lighting remote control, etc are of such importance that amateur operations must be dramatically curtailed.

The national Society, the UBA, point out that in the Royal Decree on private radio communications and the rights of use for fixed networks and networks with shared resources, Article 19 states: "The frequencies used by short [range] equipment and equipment using ultra-wideband technology are allocated on an ... unprotected basis..."

In other words: this equipment must not disturb us (primary users) and does not have any right to protection against eventual disruptions by us.

The UBA say it will naturally oppose this proposal with all its might.

The deadline for public responses to the consultation is June 17.

UBA story (Google English) - http://tinyurl.com/BelgiumUBA

Full BIPT proposal - http://www.ibpt.be/public/files/nl/22510/Raadpleging_RAM_433.pdf

 

100 kHz Band at 5 MHz for South Africa

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South Africa telecommunications regulator Indepdent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has included a shared 100 kHz wide band at 5 MHz (60 meters) of 5,350 to 5,450 kHz in its just-published National Radio Frequency Plan 2018, at a maximum power of 15 W EIRP. The band is being made available on a non-interference basis. In addition, ICASA allocated a single channel at 5,290 kHz for the 5 MHz propagation research project. The National Radio Frequency Plan 2018 is a nearly 300-page document that covers the entire radio frequency spectrum.

“Clearly, our persistent interaction with ICASA has paid dividends,” he commented. “This is, however, not the end of the road as, in the new band plan, power on 5 MHz is restricted to the WRC-15 agreement of 15 W EIRP. Continue to use 5,290 kHz for WSPR and await the announcement of the 60-meter band plan before operating on the new allocation.”
— South African Radio League (SARL) President Nico van Rensburg,ZS6QL

 

The channel of 5,290 kHz has been allocated for WSPR beacons deployed in the SARL Propagation Research project. Due to licensing issues, the SARL has kept low key on the 5,290 kHz beacon project.

“We now can go full steam ahead - There are no longer any restrictions, and no application for use of the 60-meter band is required.”
— SARL Regulatory Manager Hans van de Groenendaal