Sixty Meters the new frontier?

Is the seemingly increasing noise on 80 meters becoming tiresome? Or are you one of those many people whom due to lack of antenna space that are forced to use 40 meters as the lowest part of the HF spectrum. Where even with the ‘new allocation’ to 7.2 Mhz you still struggle to hold a QSO through the deluge of extremely strong amateur station ‘Euro-babble’ and heterodynes from adjacent broadcasting stations.A solution could be at hand. The 60meter band, where amateur stations issued with a Notice of Variation (NoV) to their existing licence have access to seven spot frequencies. This is primarily to conduct antenna experiments and collect propagation data in this part of the spectrum!

If that sounds formidable don’t worry, we collect data anyway in our normal method of operation. For example the times, reports, and locations of contacts entered in our logbooks covers 98% of what is required. A little modification of the format is a very small price to pay for almost unique access to this part of the spectrum. More of that later.

 At this time there are very few if any European amateurs with access to 5 Mhz. This results in little amateur QRM and much quieter conditions. The length of a half wave dipole is considerably shorter than that of one for 80 meters. And as most contacts are ‘inter G’ using near vertical incidence of sky-wave (NVIS) antennas do not have very high. An inverted ‘V’ configured dipole will fit into a relatively small space.

The propagation appears to be at its best during daylight and peaks in the early afternoon. The ‘skip distance’ decreases the near midday, NVIS contacts of less than 50 Kms are possible, as well as with stations up to 400 Kms. Ideal for inter-G contacts. On some occasions around the zenith the longer skip distances seem to suffer from poorer propagation in favour of the relatively short ones. The nearer the times of darkness (both dawn and dusk) the skip becomes longer so that eventually all inter G contacts are lost and only distant signals and QRN are received.

 The allocated frequencies are 5.2585 Mhz, 5.2785 Mhz, 5.2885 Mhz, 5.3665 Mhz, 5.3715 Mhz, 5.3985 Mhz, and 5.4035 Mhz, voice communications on the band are in USB.

 As a guide to propagation there are three beacons on 5.2885 Mhz. that transmit on the quarter of the hour GB3RAL from near Oxford, GB3ORK from Orkney and GB3WES from Cumbria.

 Part of the protocol on the band is that stations give their Maidenhead Locator  (e.g. JO02AB) and a slightly more objective ’SINPO’ signal-reporting system is used. The ‘S’ for signal strength, the ‘I’ for interference, the ‘N’ for noise, the ‘P’ for propagation disturbances (fading), the ‘O’ for overall quality. This requires a longer period of listening rather than the quick glance at the ‘S’ meter.  Readability and signal strength are often given in conjunction with the SINPO system. Old habits die-hard! (Example SINPO-CODE)

The maximum permitted power on the band is 23dBW (200W), many stations can be heard using much lower outputs yet maintaining excellent contacts with ease.

 Will your radio work on 5 Mhz?  Most, if not all the amateur transceivers built in the last ten years have the capability of being modified to transmit on this part of the spectrum. Some only need a ‘menu driven’ change, whilst others require a judicious work with a soldering iron to remove one or two components. I suggest a glance at www.mods.dk.  to see if your radio is featured, or contact your dealer who should be able to carry out the work.

 To obtain a NoV for 5 Mhz you simply download an application form from the Ofcom web site www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/applications complete it and send it to Ofcom with a photocopy of your current Amateur Radio Validation Document.

Bare in mind that when you complete the application form, the primary reason of the application is to enable you to collect data on propagation and experimentation into antennas for the band as a part of the self-training aspect of your amateur license.

The primary user of these frequencies in the UK is the MoD, they are permitting the radio amateur fraternity access, and as such we are expected to be aware of other users and maintain good procedural discipline. Further information on operating on 5Mhz is available from the RSGB on www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/5mhz.htm

 We hope we have whetted your appetite, good operating practices and slightly more comprehensive log keeping is a very small price to pay for access to this very unique and interesting band.

 We have had 5Mhz QSOs with Clifton Country Club members Peter (G3PJB), Clive (GW0PPO), Ayesha (G7LMP) and regular skeds with Keith (G4TJE).

At the present moment regular skeds between myself and Keith G4TJE have been planned for Sundays at 10.30am on 5.258.50mhz primary channel or 5278.50mhz secondary channel. If you hear us on and you have a NoV then give us a call.

So will we to hear you on ‘5’ soon? We do hope so!

 73s fer nw de Tony (G0HUZ) es Suzanne (G0LUZ)

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