++++++++++++++++++ See also 60M Band 5 Mhz Channel Frequencies for US ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dave Sergeant" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2002 09:37:26 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] 5 MHz Report I forward the message below which Steve GW4ALG sent me. It looks as if the new 5MHz band allocation in the UK has started with a vengence! Any idea when the expected date for the option kit for the K2 is?? 73s Dave G3YMC K2 #2498 On 5 Aug 2002 at 21:25, Steve Rawlings wrote: > Hi All, > > This evening, I've been listening to some of the first amateur radio > stations operating under the new 5 MHz 'Notice of Variation'. > > The first of the NoVs were issued on the 2nd August; and many were > received in the post this morning. So, today (Monday) was, for most > applicants, their first opportunity to operate under the new > experimental arrangements. > > The first station that I heard was G4PDJ at 18:40 UTC, running 10 > watts from Newbury (RST 599). G4PDJ was called by Tim, G4VXE running > 60 watts from Windsor (also 599). Amongst the S7 QRN, I later heard > more S9 signals from Devon, and Yorkshire. > > Details of the 5 MHz experiment, and how to apply for the necessary > NoV, can be found on the RSGB web site at: > http://www.rsgb.org/licensing/fivemegs/fivemegs.htm > > Prior to listening on 5 MHz, it was with some trepidation that I > removed the bottom cover from my IC756 to modify it for TX operation > on 5 MHz. >From the modification details downloaded from the internet, > I understood that I needed to remove three diodes to implement the > change. Simple - eh? However, it wasn't until I had removed the case > (and a CPU module), that I realised that the diodes to be removed were > surface mount types! That feeling of trepidation had become one of > anxiety. I nearly put the covers straight back on - there and then! > > I eventually plucked up enough courage to put the smallest bit that I > could find into my old Weller soldering iron, and started work. I'm > pleased to say that my very first surface mount job was completed > successfully. (The IC756 will do nicely until a 5 MHz modification > for my K2 becomes available.) In any event, I now have a rather nice > wide-range signal generator covering 1.6 to 30 MHz! A very nice > addition to my limited range of test gear. > > I submitted an NoV application this morning - but I'm not sure how > long it will take to process. More later . . . > > Regards to all, > Steve GW4ALG dsergeant at iee.org dsergeant at btinternet.com http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk +++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2002 08:43:58 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Leo Starrenburg PA5LS , dsergeant at connectfree.co.uk Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Re: 5 MHz Leo Starrenburg PA5LS wrote: > > LS, > > could anyone please list the exact frequencies for this band ? Is there a > difference for USA and the UK ? Leo, The proposed U.S. allocation is 5.250-5.400 (or maybe 5.450), but this may change. Our best guess is that the U.S. band will be available in 6 months to one year. In the U.K., an experimental license can now be obtained that allows operation on several specific, very narrow segments (3 kHz wide). I believe the segments are all within the same band that is proposed for the U.S. We're working on a 60-meter option for the K2 (the K60XV), which will also include a low-level transveter interface. We have already completed lab tests of a K2 modified for 60 meter use. However, due to other project commitments, it will take roughly two more months to get this product into field test. Details will be posted later. 73, Wayne N6KR ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2002 09:48:11 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: "Wallace, Andy" Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Re: 5 MHz and the K1 Hi Andy, It may be possible to put the K1 on 60 meters, but we haven't test it yet. The issue that's holding us back is that we don't yet know where most of the CW activity is going to be. Once there's some agreement on this, we can order custom crystals for that band segment and modify the K1 firmware to add 60 meters to the band list. We'll deal with the KAT1, 80 meter RF choke, and other issues at that time. Meanwhile, you're welcome to try adapting a KFL1-2 board (2-band filter board) for use on 60 m. You'll need to take your best guess as to where the band allocation will end up (likely: 5.25-5.40), then order a custom crystal. 73, Wayne N6KR "Wallace, Andy" wrote: > > > The proposed U.S. allocation is 5.250-5.400 (or maybe 5.450), but this > > may change. > > > We're working on a 60-meter option for the K2 (the K60XV) > > > However, due to other > > project commitments, it will take roughly two more months to get this > > product into field test. Details will be posted later. > > I applaud you guys for getting this in the pipeline, however > long it may take. > > If the option becomes available for the K1, will the K1 RF board > need to have the RF choke added to use the KAT1 on 60m? (I mean the choke > which should be added for 80m KAT1 operations.) > > Mine's already installed, but others may wonder about that. > > -Andy +++++++++++++++++ From: "Dave Sergeant" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 10:57:30 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] re: 5MHz report Details of the UK allocation at 5MHz can be found on the RSGB web site at http://www.rsgb.org/licensing/fivemegs/fivemegs.htm together with the detailed conditions of the NOV (some of which are a little daunting. Five 3kHz channels centred on 5260, 5280, 5290, 5400, 5405. I had a listen last night (but will have to wait for the K2 mod before transmitting) and there seems plenty of activity. The NOV appears to encourage SSB as the primary mode and there is no one channel exclusively for CW. I did hear a couple of CW stations last night, but most of the activity appears to be SSB (unfortunately...). 73s Dave G3YMC dsergeant at iee.org dsergeant at btinternet.com http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 09:17:52 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: "Deinhardt, Toby" Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 5 MHz Hi Toby, The K60XV option will not require the use of the "XVTR I/O" holes in the top cover, so your balun installation is safe. The K60XV will plug into the transverter connector on the RF board, to the right of the 40 and 80 meter band-pass filters. 73, Wayne "Deinhardt, Toby" wrote: > > Hallo Wayne & Co., > > > We're working on a 60-meter option for the K2 (the K60XV), which will > > also include a low-level transveter interface. > > I have installed a Balun in my K2 and do not plan on using a > transverter any time soon. I would like suggest, that the option > should be constructed so that space remains for a balun (which > uses the transverter holes for the balanced line connection) and > if one does not want the transveter interface, one can just leave > out the tranverter bits and pieces. > > vy 73 de toby > -- > DJ7MGQ (ex dd5fz, dg5mgq) > K2 #885 + 160,NB,SSB,ATU,Batt.,AF-Filter > DOK C12, DL-QRP-AG #1717 ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 07 Sep 2002 00:44:39 -0700 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Jeff McLeman Subject: [Elecraft] Looks like 5Mhz in trouble From ARRL Letter ==>NTIA HEAVES POTENTIAL MONKEY WRENCH INTO 5-MHZ BAND PROPOSAL The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recommended that the FCC not grant an ARRL petition for a domestic-only, secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz. The NTIA regulates radio spectrum allocated to the federal government. The last-minute recommendation followed hundreds of largely favorable comments and reply comments from organizations--including the ARRL--and from individuals. In an August 21 letter, the NTIA's Fredrick R. Wentland said federal agencies are making extensive use of HF for emergency services, including communications support for the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard and Department of Justice law enforcement activities. "NTIA believes the Commission's current proposal does not adequately provide for protection from harmful interference to these critical government operations primary in the band," said Wentland, who is NTIA's acting associate administrator for spectrum management. In its recent comments, the ARRL called the 5 MHz allocation "an urgent priority of the Amateur Service" and asked that the proceeding to grant it be expedited. Wentland's letter arrived at the FCC beyond the cut-off date for reply comments in the proceeding, ET Docket 02-98. Wentland said that without a more complete understanding of the interference potential to federal operations, the NTIA believes the secondary amateur allocation would be "premature." But he said that NTIA would work with the federal agencies, the FCC and the amateur community to determine whether "some future accommodation" for amateurs at 5 MHz would be possible. That could include limitations on power or emission types, a reduction in the size of the proposed band, the use of discrete frequencies or geographical restrictions, he suggested. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said that while he and the ARRL Board of Directors have been long aware of the concerns registered by the US Coast Guard and the US Department of Justice with the NTIA's Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), he was surprised by the tone of the NTIA letter. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff McLeman w7ttr at arrl.net Issaquah, Wa. Elecraft K2 #2689 Elecraft K1 #918 http://www.seanet.com/~jeffmc +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 07 Sep 2002 12:01:07 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Jeff McLeman Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Looks like 5 MHz in trouble Jeff, We're keeping close tabs on this situation. We have already demonstrated 60-meter capability with a modified K2 (including the KPA100 and KAT100), so we can quickly complete work on a 60-meter option if and when the FCC does approve this band. Our prototype "K60XV" option combines both 60 meters and a low-level transverter interface on a single PC board. But if 60 meters is not approved, we'll probably redesign the PC board to provide more transverter-related features. 73, Wayne N6KR Jeff McLeman wrote: > > From ARRL Letter > > ==>NTIA HEAVES POTENTIAL MONKEY WRENCH INTO 5-MHZ BAND PROPOSAL > The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has > recommended that the FCC not grant an ARRL petition for a domestic-only, > secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz.... +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 07 Sep 2002 12:20:56 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] 5 MHz in trouble in U.S., but not U.K.? Someone from the U.K. reminded me that they have a 60-MHz authorization already, and would like to use their K2s on this band. We should still be able to offer a 60-meter module for use in the U.K. or other countries, but with some delay due to the uncertain U.S. situation. (We don't want to have to do the design twice; at the present time we don't know whether the FCC will counter-propose an entirely different band segment.) The situation is too fluid for us to give you any firm dates, but we'll keep you posted. Wayne ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 07:43:47 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: "Mark J. Dulcey" Cc: Charles Greene , james-e-hammons at worldnet.att.net, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: general coverage (was: Sprint Summary) "Mark J. Dulcey" wrote: > > Charles Greene wrote: > > > > Being a single conversion superhet helps the K2 > > reduce the number of birdies and may improve the IMD also. > > Yes, it does both of those things. It also, alas, means .... > no general coverage reception. Mark, It's not quite accurate to say that the K2 has "no" general coverage. On each band, you can tune some distance above and below the ham bands--in some cases well over 1 MHz. It's true that the band-pass filters will begin to roll off just outside the ham bands, but quite good reception of most of the popular short-wave band segments is possible. You can tune in AM signals using LSB or USB. For example, when set for 20 meters, the K2 can easily tune in WWV at 15 MHz. When set for 30 meters, coverage extends through most of the 9-10 MHz range, where many strong broadcast stations are located. On 40 meters, you can tune in stations both above and below the band. You can even do some high-AM-band DXing, as the K2 will tune typically to as low as 1300 kHz when set for 160 meters. I often listen to local AM talk radio on my K2, just to get my blood circulating better ;) -------> One significant missing segment was 5 MHz, but this will be addressed by the future 60-meter option, which will be usable receive-only even if the FCC doesn't authorize a ham band here. At that point you'll be able to copy WWV at 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz on your K2. -------> Since a large percentage of the broadcast stations one would like to hear *can* be heard with a K2, I think a better characterization is that it has "some" general coverage. So perhaps our choice of single-conversion to a low I.F. is less of a compromise than some realize. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 09:19:55 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: "Mark J. Dulcey" Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: general coverage (was: Sprint Summary) "Mark J. Dulcey" wrote: > > You can > > even do some high-AM-band DXing, as the K2 will tune typically to as low > > as 1300 kHz when set for 160 meters. > > Mine goes out of lock somewhere around 1500 kHz, so I don't get to listen to as much of the AM band as you do. In this case you can parallel additional capacitance across the 160-m VCO capacitor and move it down, if you'd like. If you never go above 1.9 MHz, you can add even more to the low end. > > One significant missing segment was 5 MHz, but this will be addressed by > > the future 60-meter option, which will be usable receive-only even if > > the FCC doesn't authorize a ham band here. At that point you'll be able > > to copy WWV at 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz on your K2. > > The recent objection from the NTIA puts the fate of 60 meters in doubt. I still think something will happen, though it may take longer than we had hoped, and we may get a smaller band segment than originally envisioned. True. But since some band, some time, is likely (and since some of our customers in the U.K. have privilidges already), we'll push on with the option. > Let's just hope they don't move the proposed band to include 4.915 MHz. The K2 will never be able to cover that frequency effectively (well, not without a modification far more extensive than planned), because it would be right on top of the IF. I'd like to believe that whoever dreamed up the proposed band edge had the K2 in mind ;) 73, Wayne ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dave Sergeant" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2002 14:05:24 -0000 Subject: [Elecraft] 5MHz web pages, correction >> My second question is: has anyone tried to get their K2 on 5MHz in order >>to listen or even take part in the current experiment? >If you don't want to wait for the 60m option to appear, build my little >VXO controlled rig which you will see on my website at >http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk/fivemegs/fivemegs.htm Sorry, my finger slipped when I was typing the web address. This one should work! 73s Dave G3YMC K2 #2498 dsergeant at iee.org dsergeant at btinternet.com http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk +++++++++++++++++ SB QST. ARL $ARLB038 ARLB038 New 60-meter band becomes available July 3 ZCZC AG38 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 38 ARLB038 >From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT June 3, 2003 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB038 ARLB038 New 60-meter band becomes available July 3 The new five-channel 60-meter domestic secondary amateur allocation becomes available to US Amateur Radio operators at midnight local time on July 3. The FCC Report and Order granting the allocation was published June 3 in the Federal Register. Federal government users are primary in the 5 MHz band. The FCC has granted amateurs use of five 2.8 kHz-wide channels with center frequencies of 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373 and 5405 kHz. The channels will be available to General and higher class licensees. The only permitted mode will be upper-sideband USB phone, and 50 W ERP is the maximum power allowed. Users of the 60-meter channels should set their carrier frequency 1.5 kHz lower than the channel center frequency. ARRL suggests restricting transmitted audio bandwidth to 200 Hz on the low end and 2800 Hz on the high end for a total bandwidth of 2.6 kHz. ARRL recommends that amateurs considering modifying existing amateur equipment for operation on 60 meters contact the equipment's manufacturer for advice. +++++++++++++++++