[Antennas] 70 MHz (4m) Operation

2002年1月21日 05:41:02 +0200

I missed some of the debate regarding 70 MHz antennas and Frank ZS1CM
allerted me to the topic.
70 MHz operation is only possible in IARU Region 1 at present and the first
two countires to adopt the ruling are Great Btitain and South Africa.
The following is the provisional 70 MHz band plan in South Africa as at
August 2001.
Frequency Range / Primary Use / Mode / Notes
70.000 - 70.030 / Beacons / FSK / 1+5
70.030 - 70.150 / 2 way simplex / CW+SSB / 1+2
70.150 - 70.200 / Digital modes+APRS / FM / 1+3
70.200 - 70.300 / 2 way simplex / All / 1+4
Notes:
1. The 70 MHz band is currently allocated on a secondary basis to amateurs
within the RSA. Existing commercial users have primary status.
Consequently no amateur shall knowingly operate on a frequency occupied by
commercial users within their geographical area. ICASA (FCC equivalent in
RSA) is finalising the process of moving the remaining commercial users to
alternative spectrum. Until such time as the SARL (South African Radio
League) is officially notified that this has been completed, this note will
remain in force.
2. Operation within this part of the band shall only use CW or SSB with
horizontal polarisation. The power limit is 400W PEP. Amateurs should use
increments of 5 kHz to allow the maximum number of users to co-exist.
3. The allocation of APRS service to this portion shall be shared with
other digital modes. Channel spacing shall be 12.5 kHz. APRS service
providers shall ensure that no undue interference occurs with other amateur
users.
4. Within this portion the use of 12.5 kHz channel spacing is mandatory.
5. Beacons shall be limited to an EIRP of 25 W with an Omni-directional
antenna horizontally polarised. Beacons shall be operated in accordance
with the IARU Region 1 recommendations with regard to keying speed, shift
and identification details. Applications for permanent 70 MHz beacons shall
be forwarded to the SARL VHF band planner for consideration. The channel
spacing for adjacent beacons shall be 2 kHz.
Regards
Deon ZR1DQ