5-meter band

The 5-meter band (60 MHz) is the middle portion of the very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum allocated to amateur radio use.

History

On October 10, 1924, the 5-meter band (56–64 MHz) was first made available to amateurs in the United States by the Third National Radio Conference.[1] On October 4, 1927, the band was allocated on a worldwide basis by the International Radiotelegraph Conference in Washington, D.C. 56–60 MHz was allocated for amateur and experimental use.[2]

At the 1938 International Radiocommunication Conference in Cairo, television broadcasting was given priority in a portion of the 5- and 6-meter band in Europe. Television and low power stations, meaning those with less than 1 kW power, were allocated 56–58.5 MHz and amateurs, experimenters and low power stations were allocated 58.5–60 MHz in the European region. The conference maintained the 56–60 MHz allocation for other regions and allowed administrations in Europe latitude to allow amateurs to continue using 56–58.5 MHz.[3]

In 1940, television channel 2 was reallocated to 60 MHz and TV channel 1 was moved to 50–56 MHz maintaining a gap for the 5-meter amateur band. When the US entered World War II, transmissions by amateur radio stations were suspended for the duration of the war. After the war, the 5-meter band was briefly reopened to amateurs from 56 to 60 MHz until March 1, 1946. For British and some European amateurs were allocated the 5-meter band (58.5 MHz to 60 MHz) till 1949–1951, as by then the 5-metre band was given for television broadcasting.

But 1955-1962 due to TV channel allocations Australian and New Zealand (shorter time) authorities allocated 56-60 MHz instead 50 MHz, but for International Geophysical Year additionally again returned 50-54 MHz range.

Also around this time permission to YA1AA for 5-meter band in Afghanistan has been issued.[4] In September 1957 (IGY) 56.5-58 MHz band allocated for local experiments in Romania, some UK stations in this range were heard.[5]

Following a request to be able to track the progression of propagation openings DSI report (CEPT Phase II) of 1995 noted the possibility that a beacon's allocation at 60 MHz should be reassessed when TV broadcasting is no longer operating below 68 MHz of VHF Band I.[6] From 2007 the IARU R1 is encouraging member societies to try and obtain small allocation for beacons cluster at 60 MHz.[7] In Viena Interim conference 2019 accepted to add the 40 MHz and the 60 MHz Bandplan (used in some countries) in the VHF-Handbook as separate dedicated section. They can serve as an example for future use in other countries of Region 1.[8]

Allocations
  • In January 1949 the 5-meter Band is removed from the amateur service (in some countries a transitional period up to 1951 was applied[9]).
  • 1955.11.01 - 1962.06.01 56-60 MHz band allocated for radio amateurs in Australia (VK).[10]
  • 1956.06.01 - 1959.01.31 56-60 MHz band allocated for radio amateurs in New Zealand (ZL)[11] and overseas territories (ZK, ZM).[12]
  • In April 2018, Ireland (EI) allocated much of the low VHF spectrum to Irish radio amateurs including 60 MHz.

Beacons
  • In August 2007, the UK (G) approved the use of beacon at 60.050 MHz.[13] Inactive from 2017.
  • 2019.12.16 The Irish beacon EI1KNH started at 60.013 MHz 25 W, vertical dipole.[14]
  • 2022.09.25 The British beacon GB3MCB started at 60.3 MHz FT8/CW 5W, omnidirectional.

Propagation

The 5-metre band shares many characteristics with the neighbouring 6-metre band and is a unique transition spot. However, as it is somewhat higher in frequency it does not display the same propagation mechanisms via the F2 ionospheric layer normally seen at HF which occasionally appear in 6 metres, leastwise not at temperate latitudes. However, Sporadic E is common on the band in summer, tropospheric propagation is marginally more successful than on the 6-metre band, and propagation via the Aurora Borealis and meteor scatter is highly effective.

Activity

Around 1949, at least 18 countries worked in Europe on this band including Iceland and some overseas territories.[15] A bit later from 1956 5-meter cross band (first VK-JA)[16] and interstate Es activities take place in Australia, New Zealand and its overseas territories.

  • 2019-08-29: Es EI4GNB - LY2YR FT8 2,036.3 km (1265 miles)[17]
  • 2022-05-18: Tropo EI9KP - EI4GNB FT8 ~205 km

See also
  • THE FIVE METRE STORY 1-3 Ron Ham p. 740/818/902 Practical Wireless 1978 Nr. 2-4

References
  1. "Frequency or wave band allocations", Recommendations for Regulation of Radio Adopted by the Third National Radio Conference (October 6–10, 1924), page 15.
  2. International Radiotelegraph Convention (PDF). Washington, D.C. 1927. p. 41. Retrieved 22 January 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. General Radiocommunication Regulations and Additional Radiocommunication Regulations (PDF). Cairo. 1938. p. 22. Retrieved 22 January 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. Fifty-six megacycles and above, Victoria, p. 13 Amateur Radio, January, 1957
  5. DX Cronica, p. 32 Radioamatorul, February, 1958
  6. RadCom May 1995 The Amateur service in Europe p. 9-10
  7. IARU R1 Interim conference 24/5-Feb-2007 Vienna
  8. VHF Handbook v8,50
  9. p. 1(229) OZ Nr 12, 1950
  10. Fifty-six megacycles and above, p. 17 Amateur Radio, December, 1957
  11. NZART Break-In, May, 1956
  12. Fifty-six megacycles and above, p. 13 Amateur Radio, January, 1957
  13. GB3RAL Multi-band Beacon
  14. Southgate Amateur Radio News, December 19, 2019
  15. Five-metre Countries worked list p.128 Nr 2 April The Shortwave magazine, 1949
  16. The overseas mail p.304 Nr 6 August The Shortwave magazine, 1956
  17. IRTS Radio News Bulletin Sunday 19th April 2020
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