I have been doing some research on the new FCC rules/guidance on the 60m
band.
In short, we will have use of a contiguous band from 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz.
This band will be limited to 15w EIRP (~9w ERP). You will have to calculate
your own line losses and any gain your particular antenna has to find out
what power level that translates to on your radio. In my case, I will have
to keep my TS-590SG to about 10 or 11 watts.
We will also have the use of 4 channels:
Channel ID Dial Freq (USB) Center Freq Status
Channel 1 5330.5 kHz 5332.0 kHz 100W Allowed
Channel 2 5346.5 kHz 5348.0 kHz 100W Allowed
Channel 4 5371.5 kHz 5373.0 kHz 100W Allowed
Channel 5 5403.5 kHz 5405.0 kHz 100W Allowed
Note that Channel 3 (5357.0 Dial frequency) (the current standard FT-8
channel) will no longer be permitted as a 100w channel. That channel falls
within the contiguous band and so must be limited to 15w EIRP. No guidance
has been provided by ARRL or any other authority as to which channel is
going to become the FT-8/digital channel.
Why has this occured? In short, the US is falling in with most of the rest
of the world. However, the background is a bit more convoluted.
The Federal Government is the Primary User of the entire 5 MHz spectrum.
Amateur Radio operators are guests ("Secondary Users").
This means if you hear any non-amateur traffic on these frequencies, you
must cease transmitting immediately. You are legally protecting these
specific agencies and operations:
1. The "Big Three" Primary Users: These agencies use the 60m band for
secure voice, digital data links, and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)
networks.
(a) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / FEMA: This is the heaviest
user. They use these frequencies for cross-agency emergency coordination.
(b) Department of Defense (DoD): US Navy, Army, and Air Force use 5 MHz for
tactical communication and data links.
(c) US Coast Guard (USCG): They utilize this spectrum for ship-to-shore
communication and cutter-coordination, often using digital modes that sound
like "chirps" or "hissing."
2. The SHARES Program (Shared Resources): You will often hear traffic from
the SHARES network on or near amateur frequencies.
What it is: A federal program managed by DHS that coordinates HF radio
resources for national security and emergency preparedness.
Who is on it: It allows Critical Infrastructure entities (power companies,
telecom providers, hospitals, NGOs like Red Cross) to talk directly to
Federal agencies using government frequencies.
The Conflict: SHARES traffic often uses upper sideband (USB) voice, just
like hams. If you hear a net checking in stations with strange callsigns
(e.g., "NNA4AC", "AAR3MC"), that is a Federal SHARES net. Do not transmit.
3. Department of State: Embassy and consular traffic occasionally appears
here, usually as encrypted digital bursts.
Why "Old Channel 3" (5357.0 kHz) Was Demoted
The frequency 5357.0 kHz (dial) was likely targeted for the power reduction
because it sits in a segment heavily utilized for ALE (Automatic Link
Establishment) sounding.
What you might hear: A rapid "warbling" sound that lasts for 1–2 seconds.
What it is: A government radio automatically "pinging" the band to see if
propagation is good enough to establish a link. If you transmit 100W on top
of an ALE sounding, you can disrupt an automated federal network trying to
sync up.
If you hear anything else about 60m, let us know. Right now, we are waiting
to see if they proposed rules actually go into effect (they likely will in
January sometime) and we are awaiting guidance for any gentlemen's
agreements on where FT-8 traffic will go.
73, Don AD0K
Buda, TX (EM10bc)
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