Kyrgyzstan Joins 60 m/5 MHz

The Union of Radio Amateurs of Kyrgyz Republic (ARUKR) announced that on 4th June 2021, the Kyrgyzstan Telecommunications Regulator made the new WRC-15 Amateur Secondary Allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz available to Kyrgyz hams at a maximum power of 100W.

Other Secondary allocations made available at the same time were 472 – 479 kHz at 1W, 122.25 – 123 GHz and 134 – 141 GHz both at 100W.

The Union of Radio Amateurs of Kyrgyz Republic (ARUKR) - http://qrzex.com/

60 Meters Again Available to New Zealand Radio Amateurs

The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) announced recently that negotiations with regulator RSM were successful in accommodating 60-meter operation for New Zealand radio amateurs.

Following the end of the two-channel 60-meter “trial” in New Zealand during 2020, hams there will now have access to a WRC-15 Amateur Secondary Allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz with a maximum allowable power of 15 W EIRP (about 9.14 W) by applying for a sub-license.

An FAQ on the new licensing system for 60 meters has been posted. Scan and email your completed form to NZART Headquarters. Once acknowledged by return email, applicants may begin operation. This trial will be for 12 months, to allow RSM to assess if any interference issues arise. If none do, then NZART will negotiate with RSM to have the 60-meter band added to the General User Radio Licence, obviating any need for a sub-license in the future.

More Ham Radio Spectrum in 3-12 MHz Needed

The WIA Spectrum Strategy Committee has released their response to the ACMA Five Year Spectrum Outlook 2021, they highlight the need for more amateur radio spectrum in 3-12 MHz

Global demand for the HF amateur spectrum has grown, particularly since the start of the COVID pandemic. Congestion (particularly on the 7 MHz band) from both legitimate and unauthorised illegal transmissions is often severe during times of increased ionospheric propagation.

Additionally, heightened tensions across the globe have increased the use of high-power HF radar systems which frequently disrupt HF amateur communications across large segments of spectrum, particularly on the lower frequency bands. Increasing spectrum access within the 3-10 MHz range is seen as vital to enable sufficient frequency agility for the amateur service, so that communications can be maintained when large amounts of spectrum are suffering interference from international radar based intruders.

The WIA intends to seek expansions to amateur bands in the 3-12 MHz segment over the next 5 years for Australian amateurs, at least in alignment with international allocations, although the WIA acknowledges that this is a lower priority than other items proposed.

You can download the full WIA response document - https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2021/20210428-1/