In May, 2003, a long-awaited FCC Report and Order (R&O) in ET Docket 02-98 granted US amateurs secondary access to five discrete channels in the vicinity of 5 MHz. The atypical amateur allocation became available to US amateurs on July 3, 2003. The limited spectrum and stringent operating requirements mean amateurs must demonstrate their best behavior and operating skills if the Amateur Service ever hopes to get an actual band segment at 60 meters.
As ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, put it: "In terms of Amateur Radio spectrum, we usually say, 'Use it or lose it.' The watchword for 60-meter operators should be, 'Misuse it and lose it.'" Sumner predicted that, over time, amateurs "will develop a record of disciplined, responsible use of the five channels in the public interest that will justify another look at these rather severe initial restrictions."
The FCC grant followed a period of experimental operation on 5 MHz under the WA2XSY Part 5 license granted to ARRL. The channelized scheme is similar to the 5-MHz experimental operation under way in the United Kingdom. The FCC granted amateurs access to channels centered on 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373, and 5405 kHz. The last channel is common to the UK amateur 5-MHz experimental band plan. Who will be the first to log a transatlantic QSO with the UK or a DX QSO with Hawaii or one of the US Pacific territories on 60 meters?
This new allocation presents some new twists in amateur HF operation as well as some unfamiliar technical demands. The channelized format was the result of a compromise between the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA), which administers spectrum occupied by government users--the band's primary occupants--and the FCC. The channels are available to General and higher class licensees.
Amateurs may only operate upper-sideband voice (emission 2K8J3E) at a maximum of 50 W effective radiated power (ERP) and an audio bandwidth not exceeding 2.8 kHz. The operating rules, which amount to fewer than 170 words, are spelled out in §97.303(s), Frequency sharing requirements (see sidebar, "What the FCC Rules Say: §97.303(s)."
The following frequently asked questions are based on actual inquiries from ARRL members regarding the new 5-MHz/60-meter allocation. This FAQ will be updated as new information becomes available.
1. How come the FCC gave us channels instead of a band?
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers spectrum regulated by the federal government, raised eleventh-hour opposition to ARRL's request and the FCC's proposal that would have given amateurs a 150-kHz wide band at 5 MHz (5250 to 5400 kHz). The NTIA's opposition, expressed after the period for comments already had expired, cited ongoing spectrum requirements of federal government licensees having homeland security responsibilities. Following some give and take between the FCC and the NTIA, the latter agency reviewed its assignments in the vicinity of 5 MHz and found five channels that were "lightly used" that it felt it could share. Contrary to speculation elsewhere, the channels are no harbinger of a new trend in Amateur Radio allocations in general. This is a special case.
2. How can I be sure I'm within the specified channel allocation?
There are two concerns here. One is your suppressed carrier radio frequency and the other is your audio frequency bandwidth. There's apparently some confusion between the two as they involve using these new channels. The channels the FCC has allocated for the Amateur Service in its R&O are 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373 and 5405 kHz. These are channel-center frequencies, not the ones you'd tune your radio to. The NTIA has told the FCC that hams "must assure that their signal is transmitted on the channel-center frequency." This means the amateur signal must be centered within the 2.8-kHz-wide channel.
The FCC has provided scant guidance beyond suggesting--in a footnote that follows the NTIA's advice--that amateurs tune 1.5 kHz below the center-channel frequencies to be "on channel." Amateurs need to be sure that the tuning display readout reflects transmitted (ie, carrier) frequency (most do). Consult your transceiver's manual if you're not sure.
This chart from the NTIA suggests appropriate tuning frequencies for each center-channel frequency:
|
Channel Center |
Amateur Tuning Frequency |
|
5332 kHz |
5330.5 kHz |
|
5348 kHz |
5346.5 kHz |
|
5368 kHz |
5366.5 kHz |
|
5373 kHz |
5371.5 kHz |
|
5405 kHz (common US/UK) |
5403.5 kHz |
Following this chart will ensure that you are within the channel if your radio has a lower audio bandpass of 100 Hz or higher--which should apply to most commercial amateur transmitters/transceivers. The FCC expects your "occupied bandwidth" to be within the 2.8 kHz channel. This means--assuming a --1.5 kHz suppressed-carrier offset--you must keep your audio bandwidth between 100 Hz and 2900 Hz (2.9 kHz) to ensure that you do not go outside the 2.8 kHz channel. Most modern transceivers default to an SSB bandwidth in this range, but some are capable of bandwidths on SSB of 3.0 kHz or greater.
ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, believes prudence calls for ensuring that your low-end ("bass") audio sharply attenuates below 200 Hz while your high-end ("treble") audio sharply attenuates above 2800 Hz. This yields an occupied bandwidth of 2.6 kHz, well within the channel limits. Hare explains that most transceivers roll off low-end audio at 100 to 200 Hz, so if the suppressed carrier is 100 Hz below the channel, the occupied bandwidth will fit neatly within the 2.8-kHz channel. You'd probably be well advised to keep your audio processor at a minimal setting if you use one at all.
Some newer transceivers permit users to "tailor" transmitted audio response to boost or roll off on the high and low ends. If yours does, rolling off the extreme low-frequency and high-frequency audio and following the tuning scheme suggested by the NTIA should keep you within the channel. Sometimes a simple choice of microphone element might be all that's needed too.
Amateurs also need to take into consideration any third-order (or higher) intermodulation distortion (IMD) products. These can affect your overall transmitted bandwidth. Radios that exhibit poor or marginal IMD characteristics are the ones that cause "splatter" on the bands. (ARRL tests and presents graphs of worst-case IMD in all MF/HF transceiver "Product Review" columns in QST.)
You might ask someone with a quality "band scope" or--far less common but more definitive--a spectrum analyzer, to measure your actual transmitted audio bandwidth.
A PSK31 software "waterfall" display can make a simple and handy tool to help determine your radio's transmitted AF response curve. Generating a PSK31 signal into a dummy load, set your PEP output at a convenient power level--say 10 W--in the center frequency of the waterfall display. Then note how far on either side of center you can transmit before your output power drops off significantly. The waterfall should display at least 3 kHz of spectrum. If you're able to measure your PEP accurately, you should be able to gauge your transmitter's audio passband by using a little math.
The FCC defines "bandwidth" in §97.3(a)(8): "The width of a frequency band outside of which the mean power of the transmitted signal is attenuated at least 26 dB below the mean power of the transmitted signal within the band."
Doug Smith, KF6DX, has posted some useful information, "How to Transmit Legally on the New 60-m Band" on his Douglas T. Smith Editorial Services Web site that discusses bandwidth issues in greater detail.
The bottom line on audio bandwidth: Consult your transceiver's operating manual or manufacturer for information on its typical USB transmitted audio bandwidth. If you have any doubts about your transceiver's audio bandwidth or its ability to maintain your signal within a given channel, you should seriously consider not operating on this allocation until you can ascertain your radio's performance with a reasonable degree of certainty. ARRL will provide information on specific transceivers as it becomes available.
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3. How can I be sure I don't exceed the power limit?
The FCC has said hams may run 50 W effective radiated power (ERP) on the five 60-meter channels. The new rules say, "For the purpose of computing ERP, the transmitter PEP (peak envelope power) will be multiplied by the antenna gain relative to a dipole or the equivalent calculation in decibels. A half-wave dipole antenna will be presumed to have a gain of 0 dBd." This means if you use a half-wave dipole (about 87 feet 3 inches for the "middle" channel according to the formula), set your transmitter's power output power for 50 W PEP (many transceivers' meters can be set to indicate peaks), and you should be in compliance. The FCC asks licensees using antennas other than half-wave dipoles to "maintain in their station records either manufacturer data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain." This is a new record-keeping requirement for amateurs.
The "best" antenna configurations are those with a proven track record on the lower bands, keeping in mind that using a loop or an array of some kind will require you to "do the math" to ensure you are not radiating more than 50 W ERP in any direction. The math is fairly straightforward. You must reduce your power by the number of decibels your antenna gain exceeds 0 dBd (0 dB relative to a half-wave dipole). Conversely, you can increase your transmitter power if your antenna exhibits loss compared to a dipole. Be prepared to document these situations in your station records, however.
4. Why won't the FCC let us operate CW or PSK31? Narrowband modes like these seem ideal for the new channels.
True as that may be, the FCC followed the NTIA's lead in permitting only upper-sideband (USB) voice and no other modes. In fact, 60 meters is the first generally available ham radio allocation that does not permit CW and the first below 20 meters where LSB is not the convention! While there has been no further explanation, ARRL believes the USB requirement stems from the fact that it's the voice mode federal government stations are most likely to employ, thus permitting some degree of interoperability between primary and secondary users. At the very least, the use of a common mode lets federal government users readily identify amateur stations as necessary.
5. But if USB is the only permissible emission, how can hams "tune up" on 5 MHz? That might mean putting out a carrier.
Good question! As noted already, the only permissible emission is USB voice. A dummy load would be the device of choice for "tuning up" on 5 MHz, especially since many users will be attempting to transmit on a channel that's already got some activity on it (you wouldn't "tune up" on the local repeater input, would you?). Amateurs on 60 meters also might want to gain skill at using receiver noise or other signals to adjust an antenna tuner before transmitting. Most automatic tuners do require briefly transmitting a small amount of carrier over the air. Not recommended but probably legal (as long as you're not interfering with other stations) would be the tried and true "whistling" or "helllllooooo" methods.
6. Should I operate on 60 meters? If I do, what type of operating should I expect?
The decision to operate on 60 meters is, of course, up to the individual licensee. As ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, put it in his July 2003 QST "It Seems to Us . . ." editorial, "If we demonstrate that we can use [the 60-meter channels] responsibly, cooperatively and in the public interest, there is no reason we cannot seek expanded access at an appropriate time. If your personal operating practices are inconsistent with that, please do yourself and everyone else a favor and confine your operating to the traditional bands."
We'd further suggest that if you own an older transceiver or transmitter that's modifiable but has an analog dial and a tendency to drift that you also avoid trying to operate on these channels--especially given the technical guidelines.
Given the limited spectrum, it may not be the best allocation on which to start up an extended ragchewing session, indulge in long-winded transmissions or even to call CQ. ARRL anticipates that 5-MHz channelized operation will come to resemble repeater operation. Stations might be expected to break in to join a QSO in progress or grab a signal report and, rather than calling CQ, they'll just announce that they're "monitoring" a particular channel (assuming that it's not already busy).
The 5 MHz channels also might provide the best propagation in the event of a Caribbean storm or other disaster, when stations need to establish needed longer-range HF emergency communications links. As the FCC R&O states, "We believe that frequencies in the 5250-5400 kHz range may be useful for completing disaster communications links at times when the 3 [sic] and 7 MHz bands are not available due to ionospheric conditions, and [we] appreciate the desire of the amateur radio community to assist with disaster communications." Until now, emergency nets often have had to switch off between 40 meters during the day and 75 meters at night. Of course, in the event of an emergency situation, amateurs should avoid channels carrying emergency-related traffic.
7. What is a domestic, secondary allocation?
Whether or not you consider the five channels a "band" or not, the FCC has stipulated that our 5 MHz channels constitute a domestic allocation; it is not available worldwide (that would have to be determined at a World Radiocommunication Conference, and 5 MHz was not on the agenda for WRC-03). We're considered secondary because other users--primarily federal government stations--are primary. The most important thing is that, as secondary users, amateurs must yield to--and refrain from interfering with--primary users at all times. Giving us specific channels was one way to minimize the probability that hams might run afoul of critical government users .
Internationally, the band 5250 to 5400 is allocated on a primary basis to the Fixed Service and on a secondary basis to the Mobile Service, except aeronautical mobile stations. In the US, the band's occupants include FCC Part 80 (Maritime) Part 87 (Aviation) and Part 90 (Private Land Mobile). Many specific government allocations are confidential.
8. What should I do if someone comes on the air and tells me to leave the frequency?
The short answer: Stop transmitting! Assume the request is legitimate, vacate the channel promptly and ask questions later (off the air). Such government stations conceivably could include, for example, a US Coast Guard vessel running low power into a small antenna. While it's unlikely that federal government stations ever would ask amateurs over the air to vacate a channel, it's better to play it safe, since it's their band, and we're secondary users.
9. How can I modify my transceiver to operate on these channels?
Different radios that were not originally designed to transmit at 5 MHz will require different modifications. If you're the owner of some of a late-model Ten-Tec transceiver, you are fortunate indeed. Ten-Tec announced in June 2003 that it would have 5-MHz firmware upgrades in place for its Pegasus, Jupiter, Orion and Argonaut V Amateur Radio transceivers via its Firmware Update Web site prior to the band's opening date to allow these rigs to be used on 60 meters. These upgrades are now available for downloading. Ten-Tec says it plans no hardware modifications to provide 5 MHz capability for older Ten-Tec transceivers at this time.
SGC has published a Web page on 60-meter operation with SGC equipment. The page includes information on modifying the SGC SG-2020 to allow transmission from 1.8 to 29.7 MHz, as well as notes regarding the use of the SG-2000 and STEALTH kit antenna on 5 MHz frequencies.
Elecraft is developing a new optional board, part K60XV, which provides 60-meter operation for their K2 model transceiver. However, they have also published an experimental modification to allow transceivers without the option to operate on 60 meters. For complete details, refer to their Web page, Putting the K2 on 60 Meters.
ICOM America's Technical Support Department issued a statement by email: "At this time, there are no modifications or upgrades to any ICOM radio to allow operation on 60 meters."
Kenwood Communications Technical Support department was contacted via telephone, and they similarly stated, "There are no modifications available for existing radios to enable coverage of the 60-meter amateur band."
Likewise, Alinco's US distributor, ATOC Amateur Distributing, told the ARRL Lab, "Alinco has not released any modification information to enable 60-meter operation on their HF transceivers."
Vertex Standard (Yaesu) has told ARRL that it wants guidance from the FCC on whether it has concerns over the notion of "frequency agile" transmitters in the band and the expected degree of frequency tolerance [the rules are silent on the topic of frequency tolerance.--Ed]. "When these and other questions are answered by FCC and NTIA, Vertex Standard will be pleased to assist the amateur community in the most expeditious way possible in enabling transmit coverage of this new band," a Vertex Standard spokesperson said.
Yaesu's current policies regarding 60-meter modifications include the following:
Most modifications will "open up" your transceiver and permit it to transmit throughout the HF spectrum, so caution is in order. Some modifications involve nothing more complicated than clipping a diode or wire. There is no certainty, however, that a modified rig will meet FCC requirements for harmonics and other spurious emissions on all frequencies, so hams must either thoroughly check the post-modification performance of their equipment or wait for modification information that the manufacturer has validated.
To provide some insight on the issues that hams need to be aware of, the ARRL Lab has performed some transmitter performance testing on a selection of modified transceivers. The report of the results of this testing can be found on the ARRL Technical Information Service 60-Meter Mods Web page.
A listing of modification resources available via the Internet may be found on the AC6V Radio Modifications Web site. ARRL neither endorses nor warrants these or any similar modifications in any way. All licensees have the obligation to determine whether their equipment is operating properly on 5 MHz and all other amateur allocations).
10. But isn't it illegal to modify my ham gear?
In a word, no. While you might void the warranty on a newer piece of gear if you decide to modify it for 60 meters--and this may be true even if the manufacturer provides the modification information--it's legal to modify, then use, your radio in the Amateur Service, since FCC certification is not required. In general, however, it is illegal to use a modified radio outside Amateur Service allocations without the require license and FCC-certificated equipment.
11. Can I call CQ on 60 meters?
There is nothing wrong or illegal with calling CQ on 60 meters, but given the limited spectrum, it may not be the best allocation on which to start up an extended ragchewing session or indulge in long-winded transmissions. Since the channels are narrow, it may be best to simply drop in your call sign or maybe issue a very short CQ if the channel appears relatively quiet.
12. Where can I find more information?
Several news stories about the 5-MHz grant have been posted on the ARRL Web site "news crawl" and appeared in The ARRL Letter. Also see the July 2003 QST "It Seems to Us . . ." editorial. The FCC Report and Order in ET Docket 02-98 is available on the FCC's Web site. ARRL Members may address specific technical questions to the ARRL Technical Information Service (TIS) via e-mail, tis@arrl.org, or non-technical, regulatory questions to reginfo@arrl.org.
13. For FCC equipment Certification (Formerly called Type Acceptance), does the radio have to be restricted to only transmit on these allocated channels (like Marine HF radios)?
Part 97 transceivers do not require Certification. The method of incorporating the new center frequency channels (5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5368 kHz, 5373 kHz, and 5405 kHz), as specified in Section 97.303(s), into the device is at the manufacturer's discretion. The device must have capabilities so that the licensed amateur can operate the device in compliance with the Part 97 Rules. For 60 M operation, the tuning may be variable as long as the licensed amateur can tune to the specific frequencies listed in the rule. The device is not restricted for operation only in this band. The transceiver can have a PEP power output at the antenna terminal greater than the specified ERP as long as the operator can control the power so that the station does not transmit with more than 50 Watts ERP PEP.
14. On the 60 meter band, does the radio have to be restricted to USB operation?
If the device is capable of USB, LSB, CW, AM, and FSK operation within the band, the licensed amateur must operate USB only. The Part 97 Rules define, among other thing, operational requirements. Section 97.103 states that the station licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the station in accordance with the FCC rules and that the station licensee must designate the station control operator. Section 97.105 requires that the control operator must ensure the immediate proper operation of the station. Licensees are reminded that when using modified equipment, they are required to comply with Section 97.307(d) unless another spurious emission standard specifically applies to the channel the station is transmitting on. Section 97.307(d) states: The mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency below 30 MHz must not exceed 50 mW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission. For a transmitter of mean power less than 5 W, the attenuation must be at least 30 dB. A transmitter built before April 15, 1977, or first marketed before January 1, 1978, is exempt from this requirement.
This FAQ was prepared by ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, and ARRL Senior News Editor Rick Lindquist, N1RL, with assistance from ARRL Regulatory Information Specialist John Hennessee, N1KB, and ARRL Assistant News Editor Dave Hassler, K7CCC.