International
5MHz Ham
Radio 60
meters Band Information
60 metres, also known as "The Rock Band"
This is the first 5MHz international
amateur radio website, established in 2002.
Worldwide 5 MHz Channel
List (Historical
Reference)
|
USB
Dial
kHz
|
Center of Channel
Frequency
|
LOCATIONS
|
OPERATING
NOTE
|
|
|
5102.0 |
5103.5
|
Australia |
Only
WICEN. AXF404.
VK6 VK5 VK7 VK8 (VK3 daytime). |
|
|
5167.5 |
5168.9
|
Alaska |
ALASKA
Emergency Channel (EMCOMM and Emergency Exercise,
Calling and testing, only within Alaska and its
coastal waters USA)
|
|
|
5248.5 |
5250.0
|
South
Africa
|
Propagation
testing
|
|
|
5258.5 |
5260.0
|
South
Africa, Dominican Republic
|
QSO
|
|
|
5278.5 |
5280.0
|
Finland, Ireland,
Dominican
Republic
|
|
|
|
5288.5 |
5290.0
|
Finland, Portugal,
Dominican Republic, Czech
|
UK
Beacons
|
|
|
5289.5 |
5291.0
|
Switzerland
|
Switzerland
Propagation testing
|
|
|
5298.5 |
5300.0
|
Finland,
Ireland
|
|
|
|
5320.0 |
5321.4
|
New Zealand
|
NZ
AREC EMCOMM
|
|
|
5327.5 |
5329.0
|
Canada |
Canada Proposed
|
|
|
5330.5
USB
|
5332.0
|
USA, Canada,
Finland, St_Lucia,
Caymans,
Ireland, Czech,
Israel
|
EMCOMM
NETS
USB QSO
CW QSO
|
|
|
5346.5
USB
|
5348.0
|
USA, Canada, Finland, St_Lucia, Caymans,
Ireland
|
EMCOMM
NETS
USB QSO
Selcall
|
|
|
5355.0
USB |
5356.5 |
Australia
|
WICEN
only. AXF405
VK8 VK4 VK2 VK1 VK3 VK7.
|
|
|
5351.5
kHz Worldwide ITU Band - Limit
|
|
|
5351.5
|
5352.8
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard
Channel.
|
5351.6 - 5354.1 CW.
5351.6 - 5354.1 Digital, DATA.
New
Zealand (5353.0 USB).
** NO USA **
|
|
|
5354.0
USB
|
5355.5
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard
Channel.
|
USB
Voice. All Modes.
ALE
(5354.5 USB).
Selcall (5355.0 USB).
Dominica
(5355.5 USB 2012
NTRC S.R.O. 39)
** NO USA **
|
|
|
5357.0
USB
|
5358.5
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard
Channel.
This is the
only worldwide channel. |
USB
Voice. All Modes.
USA
(5357.0 USB)
DATA,
Digital.
ALE (5357.0).
|
|
|
5360.0
USB
|
5361.5
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard Channel. Emergency
Centre of Activity for all ITU
Regions (ECOA)
|
USB
Voice. All Modes.
Proposed ECOA for all ITU Band
Regions.
** NO USA **
New
Zealand (5362.0 USB).
|
|
|
5363.0
USB
|
5365.0
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard
Channel.
|
USB
Voice. All Modes.
Selcall (5363.0 USB).
** NO USA **
|
|
|
5365.5
|
5366.2
center
|
Worldwide
Band
Standard
Channel. |
CW
(5366.0 - 5366.4 carrier).
Digital (5366.0 - 5366.4 signal).
** NO USA **
|
|
|
5366.5
kHz Worldwide ITU Band - Limit
|
|
|
5366.5 |
5368.0
|
Finland,Caymans,
Dominican Republic,
Czech,
Israel |
** NO USA ** |
|
|
5371.5 |
5373.0
|
USA, Canada,
Finland, Greenland,
UK, St_Lucia, Bahrain, Portugal,
Dominican Republic,
Czech,
Israel |
USB
Voice.
All Modes.
ALE (5371.5).
|
|
|
5380.5 |
5382.0
|
Portugal
|
USB,
CW.
|
|
|
5395.0
|
5396.4
|
New Zealand
|
Only
AREC EMCOMM.
|
|
|
5398.5 |
5400.0
|
Finland, Ireland,
Greece,
Dominican Republic,
Czech,
Israel |
Greece:Special
License.
|
|
|
5403.5 |
5405.0
|
USA, Canada,
St.Lucia, Bahrain,
Portugal, Ireland,
Caymans, Niue,
Dominican Republic,
Czech,
Israel |
USB
Voice.
Emergency Center of Activity (ECOA) where this
channel is allocated.
Selcall (5403.5 USB).
|
|
|
5407.0
|
5409.5
|
Israel |
|
|
|
5425.0
|
5426.5
|
Australia |
WICEN Only. VXE580.
VKE580 Amateur Radio News Broadcasts.
|
|
©2017-2000
HFLINK. All Rights Reserved.
60m
Amateur Radio Bands (Historical Reference
Only)
|
|
BAND
LIMITS kHz
|
USB
VFO DIAL LIMITS
|
LOCATIONS
|
OPERATING
NOTE
|
|
5351.5
~ 5366.5 |
5351.5
~ 5363.5 |
Worldwide
ITU Band
(after 1 January
2017)
|
Power
limits:
ITU Region 1 = 15 Watts EIRP
ITU Region 3 = 15 Watts EIRP
ITU Region 2 = To Be Determined Mexico =
20 Watts EIRP.
Central America, South America, Caribbean =
25 Watts EIRP.
USA = Not Authorized Yet
|
|
5351.5
~ 5366.5
|
5351.5
~ 5363.5
|
Spain
|
Power
Limit 15 Watts
|
|
5060.0
~ 5450.0
|
5060.0
~ 5446.5
|
Somalia
|
|
|
5250.0 ~ 5310.0
|
5250.0
~
5306.5
|
Bangladesh |
|
|
5250.0 ~ 5450.0
|
5250.0
~
5446.5
|
Denmark, Grenada,
Trinidad & Tobago,
Greenland, Samoa
|
An International
60m Amateur Radio Band with Secondary status was
proposed within this spectrum segment (after WRC15
in 2015).
|
|
5250.0
~ 5400.0
|
5250.0
~
5396.5
|
Barbados
|
|
|
5260.0 ~ 5410.0
|
5260.0
~
5406.5
|
Norway, Iceland,
Slovakia, Croatia
|
|
|
5275.0
~ 5450.0 |
5275.0
~
5446.5
|
Andorra
|
3kHz
bandwidth USB or CW.
Secondary status.
|
|
5350.0
~ 5450.0 |
5350.0
~
5446.5 |
Hungary,
Netherlands
|
|
|
5418.0 ~ 5430.0
|
5418.0
~
5427.0
|
Cuba
|
Cuba allows only communications between stations
within its borders; no contact is allowed with
other countries. SSB, CW, and PSK31 and PSK63.
50W.
|
|
60m Amateur Radio
Band Segments
|
|
5258.5
~ 5264.0
5276.0 ~ 5284.0
5288.5 ~ 5292.0
5298.0 ~ 5307.0
5313.0 ~ 5323.0
5333.0 ~ 5338.0
5354.0 ~ 5358.0
5362.0 ~ 5382.0
5395.0 ~ 5401.5
5403.5 ~ 5406.5
|
|
UK
|
UK
has multiple splintered band segments.
|
|
This
information was compiled from official and
unofficial sources worldwide. Telecommunications
authorities in various countries have also allowed
specific operators or stations to use 5MHz as a part
of their individually licensed frequency
assignments.
©2019~2002
HFLINK. All Rights Reserved.

|
Effective
Radiated Power Referenced to a Halfwave Dipole
(ERPd)
The radio rules and regulations for other ham bands
usually specify the allowed transmitter power. But,
for the 60 meter band, the telecommunications
authority in some countries (such as USA) are
specifying maximum Effective Radiated Power
referenced to a halfwave dipole (ERPd). In other
words, if a standard dipole is used as the antenna,
then the power
level measured at the feedpoint of the dipole
is exactly equal to the authorized reference power.
This means zero decibels of loss (or gain) relative
to a dipole, and it simplifies the power
calculations for the real world antennas we use
every day in ham radio.
How Much
Transmitter Power Can We Use?
To determine what our maximum possible transmitter
power can be, for example, to achieve 100 Watts
ERPd, we must know the gain or loss of our
total antenna system. The antenna system
includes the coaxial cable feedline loss, and the
gain or loss of the actual antenna relative to a
dipole.
Example:
For this purpose, our standard halfwave dipole has
no gain and no loss. If we were to attach the
transmitter directly to the feedpoint of the
antenna, we could transmit 100 Watts transmitter
output power. However, let's say we are using 100
feet of RG-58 coax between the transmitter and our
dipole... this type of coax loses about -1dB in
100ft of cable at 5MHz.. The RF power is lost in
heat due to the insulation and the resistance of the
coaxial wire.
- We can increase the transmitter power by
exactly +1dB to compensate for the coax loss of
-1dB.
- 100 Watts ERPd power + 1dB coax loss
compensation = 125.9 Watts Transmitter Power.
So, we can legally run 125 Watts of transmitter
power when using this particular dipole antenna
system with 100 feet of RG-58 coaxial feedline.
- Total Antenna System Gain or Loss = Feedline
Loss in dB + Antenna Gain in dB
If your antenna has positive gain at 5MHz, such as a
long wire, full wave loop or beam antenna, then you
will need to reduce
your power to compensate for the antenna
gain. Here is a handy graph you can use to determine
how much transmitter power you can run after you
know your total
antenna system gain or loss.
Note: For the USA's FCC regulatory compliance
purpose, hams don't need to use the theoretical
term dBi (isotropic antenna) or the antenna height
or the ground losses in these calculations.
Whatever antenna you use, compute its gain or loss
as if you put a standard dipole in place of it, at
the same feedpoint height and orientation. Simple
antennas such as inverted-V or 1/4 wave ground
plane vertical antennas have approximately no gain
or loss compared to a dipole, since they are
essentially forms of a dipole.
|
About 60 meters... "The Rock
Band"
5MHz has
predictable propagation qualities that combine the best
aspects of 40 meters and 80 meters. In areas of the
world above 35 degrees of latitude, 60 meters is often
the best (or only) NVIS band during daylight hours. In
more equatorial latitudes, 5MHz provides constant NVIS
communications during hours of twilight and darkness.
Many non-governmental and governmental HF systems around
the world depend upon 5MHz daily. The Rock Band is
always open to somewhere.
In
2003,
when activity first began in USA on 5MHz, Bonnie Crystal
KQ6XA was on the air talking with a group of stations in
California. That evening, she
coined the term The
Rock Band to refer to the 5MHz ham band. She
said "It is as solid as a rock! ... and it is also
channelized, so 60 meters seems fit to be The
Rock Band." The
term caught on among hams.
Now, The Rock Band has become widely used for EMCOMM
nets, disaster readiness, and regional QSOs.
Historical Notes on the International 5MHz
Frequency List
1) Dial Frequency: Above listed USB
frequencies are "dial frequency" as you see them on your
radio VFO. The center-of-channel offset is already figured
out for you. (The center-of-channel is usually 1.5kHz
higher than the dial frequency).
2) International USB Standard: The worldwide standard for
Amateur Radio on 5MHz is Upper Sideband (USB). Other
emission types and content are also in use, including
digital, data, and morse code CW.
3) USA:
New rules for 2012:
All General class or higher licensees are authorized to
transmit 2.8kHz maximum bandwidth, using the equivalent
of 100 Watts PEP to a dipole.
Hams are secondary service, and must not interfere with
other services. Data
modes are allowed
within the channel. RTTY modes such as PSK31 keyboarding
must use no greater than 60Hz necessary bandwidth. Phone,
Data,
and RTTY modes may
use the USB (suppressed carrier) dial frequency
listing in the chart. CW
must transmit at the center-of-channel
frequency only!
4) UK: As of January 2013, UK now has multiple splintered
band segments of various frequencies. Operation
requires Notice Of Variation (NOV) special permit. 100Watts
PEP transmitter output power (max 200 Watts PEP EIRP). All
modes. Max bandwidth 6kHz,
except in the 3kHz segments where it is max 3kHz
bandwidth; signal must not extend outside the band segment
frequency limits. Max antenna height 20m Above Ground
Level.
5) Germany: ITU Band.
Historical: DRA5 Experimental Beacon, operated by DARC
(DK0WCY beacon team), transmited propagation data
(dial+1500Hz) CW/RTTY/PSK31.
6) Canada:
Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations 2018 Edition.
Footnote C21 (CAN-18) Amateur service operators may
transmit in the frequency band 5351.5-5366.5 kHz and on
the following four centre frequencies: 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz,
5373 kHz and 5405 kHz. Amateur stations are allowed to
operate with a maximum effective radiated power of 100 W
PEP in each channel and are restricted to the following
emission modes and designators: telephony (2K80J3E), data
(2K80J2D), RTTY (60H0J2B) and CW (150HA1A). Transmissions
in any channel may not occupy a bandwidth of more than 2.8
kHz. Such use is not in accordance with international
frequency allocations. Canadian amateur operations shall
not cause interference to fixed and mobile operations in
Canada or in other countries and, if such interference
occurs, the amateur service may be required to cease
operations. The amateur service in Canada may not claim
protection from interference by the fixed and mobile
operations of other countries.
Canada 5MHz
Historic note: In 2003-2007, an experimental
licensed operation by Marconi Radio
Club (VO1MRC) members used CW or USB on 5260, 5269,
5280, 5290, 5319, 5400 and 5405 kHz with 100 watts
output, and issued
reports on the results of the experiments.
7) Finland: Club stations may apply for authorization to
operate the 5MHz channels with maximum power of 50 Watts
on USB only. The USB dial frequencies for Finland are:
5288.6, 5298.6, 5330.6, 5346.6, 5366.6, 5371.6, 5398.6
kHz.
8) Australia:
USB only. Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network WIA.
WICEN Non-amateur callsigns AXF404 or AXF405 or VXE580.
ACMA type approved land mobile radio equipment (i.e.
Barrett, Codan, QMAC, commercial Icom, etc)
registration
required.
VKE580
on 5425 kHz USB - Amateur Radio New South Wales,
WIA, broadcasts VK1WIA National news and local VK2WI news
on Sunday morning at 10 AM local time, on this 5MHz
commercial Emcomm channel. According to their website:
"The transmission using the callsign VKE580 has been added
to provide linking for manual relay stations. Callbacks
cannot be taken on this frequency as it is currently a
Commercial frequency allocation. Note that transmission is
Upper Sideband (contrary to normal amateur practice below
10MHz) "
9) Remote bases and Echolink HF stations: Some
HF remote base stations in USA have operated on
5371.5kHz, using Internet Remote Base or Echolink
with voice squelch and/or UHF remotes. Channelized HF
operation provides excellent compatibility for remote base
operation.
10) Iceland: 5260 – 5410 kHz band (replaces 8
channels). Maximum power 100W ( 20 dBW ).
11) Bangladesh: 5250 to 5310 kHz Amateur Applications;
Amateur propagation experiments with stations of
administrations permitting such activities. Secondary
status.
12) St.
Lucia (J6) has the same 5 channels as USA and there
continues to be activity.
13) Greenland: VFO band. SSB, CW, or Digital.
14) Other countries: Some other countries reported to have
5MHz activity, officially or unofficially:
Andorra, Czech, Kenya, Greece, Columbia, Russia, Turkey,
Belize, Ascension Island, Panama, Honduras, Italy,
Grenada, Suriname, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua,
Morocco, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Cayman Islands,
Ghana, Slovak, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Bermuda, Kuwait, Caymans, New Zealand,
Ascension, Bulgaria, Ghana, Kirabati, Sierra Leone, Niue
Island, and Mexico.
15) Norway:
5260-5410kHz full band with VFO at 100W. Operation with
VFO within the passband of the recognised common
international channels should tune directly to the channel
frequency.
16) Denmark: 5260-5450kHz full band with VFO all modes.
Maximum 1kw ERP, Bandwidth 8kHz.
17) Alaska Emergency Frequency, USA: The frequency 5167.5
kHz USB may be used by hams in Alaska in case of
emergency, to communicate with hams or PART 90 PRIVATE
LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES in Alaska. Max 150W PEP. Must
be within 50 nautical miles (92.6 km) of the State of
Alaska. May also be used for establishing communication
before switching to another frequency. For tests and
training drills necessary to ensure the establishment,
operation, and maintenance of emergency communication
systems. FCC table of frequency allocations Footnote
US212.
18) Somalia: 5060-5450kHz full band with VFO all modes, as
of 2004. Max 3kW. May be used to communicate with non-ham
users of Somalia's license-free 5MHz band, and others.
Licenses issued in Puntland. See
more info on Somalia ham radio.
19) Dominican Republic: 7 channels SSB and CW.
20) New
Zealand: Channel width: 2.8kHz. EMCOMM, Secondary
use on a Non-Interference basis. Only for recognised AREC
activities, using AREC callsigns.
21) Barbados:
100W PEP USB Voice VFO band.
22) Sweden: ITU Band
23) Update: Feb 2014. The number of countries allowing
amateur radio operators to use frequencies in the 5MHz
band increased during 2007-2014. Some countries do not
widely publish their amateur frequency bands, or only
provide special operating authorisation for 5MHz on an
individual basis. It has now become extremely difficult to
acquire and follow all the changes happening with 5MHz
around the world. In the case of non-published telecom
frequency allocations/authorizations, we
rely upon private email information from amateur radio
operators in each country. The channel and frequency
assignments are evolving, and therefore, this site will
also try to maintain some references for historical
purposes.
24) Samoa: In mid-2013 Samoan telecomms regulator
OOTR (Office Of The Regulator) authorized 5250-5450 kHz at
100 Watts without other restrictions, any mode. Prior to
that, there were various individual channelized temporary
licenses issued.
Evening/Night Guidelines:
5MHz channels are a shared resource with many users.
Especially on this band, it is very important
to use the lowest power necessary for communications. The
Rock Band is always open to somewhere. At night, you may
find that 20 Watts is sufficient. In many
countries, amateurs are secondary users and must QRT when
a primary station is on the channel. For this reason,
transmission time should be kept to a minimum, and it is
best to wait a few seconds before responding during a QSO
conversation. Considerate hams usually try to avoid
longwinded ragchews during peak evening hours whenever
activity is high and propagation is open for wide regional
communications on the 5MHz channels.
Useful operating techniques for the 5MHz
channels:
1. Put the 5MHz channels in your transceiver memory,
including the USB mode. If possible, also include narrow
TX bandwidth (2.4kHz transmit filter) and the correct
transmit power level.
2. Before transmitting, check your transceiver
calibration against a time/frequency reference
signal such as WWV on 5000.000 kHz. Select a channel,
check your power setting, lock your VFO dial, and lock
your microphone "channel Up/Down" switch and keypad.
3. Use your RIT or receive clarifier to tune other
stations in. Do not change your main VFO dial or transmit
frequency unless you discover that you are out of calibration.
4. Avoid long auto-tuning or manual-tuning times if
possible. Transmission of a dead carrier, especially
zero-beat, is not allowed in some countries (such as USA).
5. How to make a contact: Before starting to transmit,
listen on the channel for at least 3 minutes. If it is
vacant, start by just saying CQ and your CALLSIGN once
using standard
phonetics. Listen for any response. It is not
necessary to call a long CQ on a standard 5MHz channel.
Often, simply announcing your callsign and location can
sometimes be enough to start up a contact.
6. If you have a very high receive noise level at your
QTH, be very cautious about transmitting because you may
be interfering with primary users or a QSO that is already
in progress between amateurs.
7. Try to peacefully co-exist and share the channel with
other ham signals in the background. Unlike other HF SSB
ham bands, 5MHz is channelized and very limited. Don't
insist upon a totally clear channel, because it is
possible for there to be several layers of ham QSOs going
on simultaneously in different areas on the same channel.
If anyone requests immediate access to the
channel, acknowledge the request, and immediately
stop transmitting.
8. ID more often than you normally would. Once you
establish contact, say your callsign and the callsign of
station you are talking to. This will help a lot when
there are multiple stations simultaneously using the same
channel.
9. Avoid longwinded ragchewing. Use short transmissions,
drag your feet between overs, and give everyone a chance
to use the channels.
10. Be open to other stations calling each other between
gaps in your QSO.
11. Channel Names: Avoid saying "Channel One, Channel
Two", because there are at least 20 Channels on 5MHz
around the world now, and the list is growing. Also, some
radios have older or obsolete channel memories for 60
meters. Among regular 5MHz operators, the channels are
often called by the last few digits in kiloHertz, such as
"403.5" (meaning the dial frequency 5403.5kHz).
Note: FCC Changed USA Amateur
Radio 5MHz Rules in 2012
The
USA FCC
changed its rules for the Amateur Radio Service at
5MHz.
Here
is a basic overview of the changes and rules in plain
language, as they apply to the Amateur Radio Service in
USA.
- The new rules
took effect on 05 MARCH 2012.
- The FCC
adopted the use of the name "60 meter band", to
refer to 5MHz amateur radio in the frequency range
5330.5-5406.4 kHz, but USA hams are still only
allowed to transmit on 5
specific channels in the band.
- The FCC
changed the rules to allow: Phone (Upper Sideband),
RTTY, Data, and CW; with specific new limitations on
the use of these modes.
- Amateur
radio is a "secondary user" in this band, and must
not cause harmful interference to other services!
Amateur Radio Service must accept interference from
primary, other services, and other nations services.
- Operators
transmitting data or RTTY must exercise care to
limit the length of transmission so as to avoid
causing harmful interference to US Government
stations.
- General,
Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class license only.
- The maximum
allowed power level is 100 Watts PEP (ERP) effective
radiated power referenced to a halfwave dipole. If
another type of antenna is used, the station
licensee must maintain a record of either the
antenna manufacturer's data on the antenna gain or
calculations of the antenna gain.
- Upper
SideBand Phone, Data, or RTTY transmissions may use
dial (VFO) USB suppressed carrier frequency as
listed. Transmissions must not exceed the 2.8kHz
bandwidth channel. RTTY modes such as PSK31 must not
exceed 60Hz necessary bandwidth. Data modes must not
exceed 2.8kHz bandwidth. CW bandwidth must not
exceed 150Hz bandwidth and the CW frequency must be
at the center of the channel.
- Section §
97.221 automatically controlled digital station,
excludes the 5MHz channels.
- For
compliance purposes, please rely only upon the actual
FCC rules. More info about FCC
rulemaking
USA 5MHz Channel List

|
COMMON
CHANNEL NAME
|
SUPPRESSED
CARRIER
USB
VFO DIAL
FREQ KHZ
|
CENTER OF CHANNEL FREQ
KHZ
|
OPERATION NOTES
COMMON ACTIVITY
UNOFFICIAL BANDPLAN
[* FCC LIMITATIONS ]
|
"ALASKA
EMERGENCY
FREQUENCY"
"5167 dot 5"
|
5167.5
kHz USB
|
-
|
[
*ALASKA ONLY - EMERGENCY
ONLY ]
[
WITHIN 50 NAUTICAL MILES OF ALASKA ]
[ NO OTHER STATES,
NO QSOs ]
 |
"330
dot 5"
|
5330.5
kHz USB |
5332.0 |
USB
EMCOMM NETS
CW QSO, USB QSO
|
"346
dot 5"
|
5346.5
kHz USB |
5348.0 |
USB
EMCOMM NETS
USB QSO
|
"357
dot 0"
|
5357.0
kHz USB |
5358.5 |
[
*NEW CHANNEL 2012 ]
DATA EMCOMM NETS
DIGI QSO, DIGITAL CALLING
|
"366
dot 5"
|
5366.5
kHz USB
|
5368.0 |
[
*DELETED CHANNEL ]
|
"371
dot 5"
|
5371.5
kHz USB |
5373.0 |
DISASTER
EMCOMM NETS
INTERNATIONAL DATA EMCOMM NETS
USB QSO
|
"403
dot 5"

|
5403.5
kHz USB |
5405.0 |
WIDE
AREA DISASTER EMCOMM NETS
INTERNATIONAL CALLING CHANNEL
USB QSO, CW QSO
|
©2012,
2011, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007,2008,2009 HFLINK. All Rights Reserved.
Operating Guide for USA
60 meter Band - Modes

|
Mode
Type or Content
|
Maximum
Transmit
Bandwidth
|
Sideband
|
Frequency
kHz
|
Requirements
or Limitations
|
Emission Designator
|
Phone
Voice
|
2.8kHz or less

|
USB
Upper Sideband Only
|
May set VFO dial to USB
Suppressed
Carrier Frequency:
5330.5 USB
5346.5 USB
5357.0 USB
5371.5 USB
5403.5 USB |
Voice
USB only.
Do not interfere with other services
traffic.
Use USB to monitor all other modes and services.
Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit. |
2K80J3E
example:
Use a narrow SSB
transmit IF filter setting such as 2.4kHz.
|
Data
Traffic
File Transfer
|
2.8kHz or less

|
USB
|
May set VFO dial to USB
Suppressed
Carrier Frequency:
5330.5 USB
5346.5
USB
5357.0 USB
5371.5 USB
5403.5 USB
|
Must
exercise care to limit the length of transmission
so as to avoid causing harmful interference to US
Government stations.
Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit. Data signal
should be near center of channel
(approximately 1500Hz audio).
No § 97.221 automatically controlled
digital data stations.
[Note: There is no 300 baud limit]
|
2K80J2D
example:
PACTOR3 or similar
data transfer modes
|
RTTY
Texting Keyboarding
|
60Hz or
less

|
USB
|
May set VFO dial to USB
Suppressed
Carrier Frequency to:
5330.5 USB
5346.5 USB
5357.0 USB
5371.5 USB
5403.5 USB
|
Must
exercise care to limit the length of transmission
so as to avoid causing harmful interference to US
Government stations.
Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit.
Data signal should be near center of channel
(approximately 1500Hz audio).
No § 97.221 automatically controlled
digital data stations.
Transmit
signal at Center of
Channel Only.
|
60H0J2B
example:
PSK31 or similar direct printing text
keyboarding modes
|
CW
Morse
|
150Hz or less

|
.
|
Set CW transmit
Frequency to Center of Channel Frequency:
5332.0 CW
5348.0 CW
5358.5 CW
5373.0 CW
5405.0 CW
|
Use
LBT Listen- Before- Transmit.
Before and during CW transmissions:
Listen carefully for Upper Sideband signals
on
5330.5 USB
5346.5 USB
5357.0 USB
5371.5 USB
5403.5 USB
and do not interfere with
other services traffic.
Transmit CW
at Center of Channel only.

|
150HA1A
example:
Morse CW Telegraphy
|
Maximum Power Limit: 100 Watts PEP at the feedpoint of a
halfwave dipole antenna, or the equivalent.
|
Use
5MHz Operating Techniques click here.
©2012, 2011, 2010, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007,2008,2009 HFLINK. All Rights
Reserved.
|
SSB BANDWIDTH
Operating with a 2.5kHz filter, an Upper Sideband
transmitter set at 1.5kHz below the center-of-channel
frequency, with a typical voice bandpass of 300Hz to 2800Hz,
the signal will just barely meet the requirements of the FCC
rules for the 2.8kHz channel.

DIGITAL KEYBOARDING MODE BANDWIDTH
For USA operators using a digital keyboarding mode, the
maximum bandwith is 60Hz and the signal must transmitted at
the Center of Channel only. If you use your VFO dial
frequency, it should be set the same as if you were using
Upper Sideband voice, and your PSK31 audio center should be
1500 Hz exactly. If you use a digital computer program that
displays your signal center instead of your dial frequency,
it should be set to the Center of Channel frequency.
Operators should also monitor Upper Sideband voice to avoid
interference.

CW MODE
For USA operators, CW must be transmitted at the Center of
Channel only. CW operators should also monitor Upper
Sideband voice to avoid interference.

DATA TRAFFIC
For USA operators sending DATA traffic, the maximum signal
bandwidth is 2.8kHz. Operators should also monitor Upper
Sideband voice to avoid interference.

Behind the FCC rule changes: about
the FCC 5MHz Rulemaking and governmental process...
A
report from FCC on the rule changes sent to the US Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was
assigned Executive Communication number EC-4237 in
December 2011, and a communication from the Chief
of the Policy and Rules Division, Office of Engineering
and Technology, Federal Communications Commission,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule
entitled "Amendment of Parts 2 and 97 of the
Commission's Rules to Facilitate Use by the Amateur Radio
Service of the Allocation at 5 MHz" (FCC 11-171) received
in the Office of the President of the Senate on December
5, 2011; to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The summary of report and order was published
in the Federal Register
on 03 February 2012. The Table of Frequency Allocations
for the 5.06-5.45 MHz segment was amended:

USA Emcomm Digital Data
The new FCC rules for
5MHz do not contain any 300 baud symbol rate limitation.
Instead, the 5MHz channels have a bandwidth limit of
2.8kHz. The
5MHz ham channels are thus suitable and legal for various
modems, such as PACTOR3, PACTOR4, and the MIL-STD 188-110
PSK-2400 waveforms, and others that have 2.8kHz bandwidth
or less.
Automatically Controlled
Data Stations are not allowed, however. So, any use of
5MHz must be with an operator active on both sides of the
QSO. Still, this provides a wonderful opportunity for fast
email or data traffic regional comms in Emcomm scenarios.
The same QSO can be a mix of voice SSB and data;
this is a feature not available on other HF bands.
5MHz was established to
serve Emcomm. It is important that all ham operators
involved with HF Emcomm increase their capability for the
5MHz 60 meter band for base, mobile, and portable
operation. These channels are also open for the
possibility of Interoperation during emergencies with
other disaster response agencies and organizations.
STATUS UPDATE= FAILED
IARU
Proposes International 5MHz Ham Band Secondary Status
150kHz Wide
The IARU
Administrative Council met in Sun City, South Africa
on 19 August 2011, and announced
their strategies for upcoming World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) agenda. They
established 4 major spectrum allocation
priorities:
- A
harmonized allocation including amateur-satellite
at 50 MHz
- A
wider harmonized
allocation at 160 meters
- Expansion
of the 10 MHz amateur allocation
- A worldwide secondary
allocation of approximately 150 kHz at 5 MHz
The
Council
also reviewed IARU Spectrum Requirements, and
indicated that "more information is needed regarding
national arrangements for allocations near 500 kHz and
5 MHz".
Although the IARU Administrative Council did not
detail the exact band edges proposed, there have been
other references in international conferences to the
possible band limits: 5260
kHz to 5410 kHz. These are the same band
edge VFO frequencies already in
effect in some countries.
The
ITU Table of Frequency Allocations indicates that the
primary use of the band is allocated to "5250 kHz to 5450
kHz, FIXED, MOBILE except aeronautical
mobile". For more
information, please see the complete
IARU Administrative
Council 2011 Summary Record.
FAILED:
World Radiocommunication Conference
Information
from WRC12 in February 2012 indicates that a
proposal for an international Amateur Radio allocation
with secondary status around 5.3 MHz (5250~5450 kHz
contiuous or non-continguous) is likely to be on the
agenda for the next WRC15 in 2015. There has been
opposition from many countries and regional spectrum
organizations. USA has said it would support 15kHz around
5.3 MHz... approximately
the same as USA's present channels! Some other
countries already have already assigned portions of this
spectrum to hams on a secondary or Emcomm basis. We are
likely to see more countries supporting it through
compromises, and this could result in a 60 meter global
ham band (or regional sub bands) after 2015.
Other WRC12 News:
Oceanic radar systems
are being allocated 5250-5275kHz. This overlaps some of
the area of existing 60 meter band amateur and Emcomm.
USA FCC
"Emergency Communications Declaration"
information for USA emergency net operators using
5MHz:
In 2004, the FCC changed its general policy for issuing
Emergency
Communications
Declarations (ECD) on Amateur Radio Service
frequencies. ECDs
typically are issued to temporarily protect certain
frequencies for emergency net use only. The policy says
that ECDs may now be issued for one or two 5MHz channels
and/or VHF/UHF frequencies. Prior to this policy, ECDs
typically were issued during weather-related and wildfire
emergencies for frequencies in the 75 and 40 meter bands.
The FCC also said that frequencies in other Amateur
Service bands where emergency nets already have been
established may be used during emergencies under the
provisions of rule §97.101c (which stipulates that Amateur
Radio Service operators give priority to stations
providing emergency communications at all times and on all
frequencies).
©2012, 2011, 2010, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,2008,2009
HFLINK. All Rights Reserved.
ARCHIVE NOTE:
The following rule ended 04 March 2012,
replaced by new rules.
USA
2003-2012
FCC old 5MHz
Rules
"§97.303
(s) An amateur station having an operator
holding a General, Advanced or Amateur
Extra Class license may only transmit
single sideband, suppressed carrier,
(emission type 2K8J3E) upper sideband on
the channels 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5368 kHz,
5373 kHz, and 5405 kHz. Amateur operators
shall ensure that their transmission
occupies only the 2.8 kHz centered around
each of these frequencies. Transmissions
shall not exceed an effective radiated
power (e.r.p) of 50 W PEP. For the purpose
of computing e.r.p. the transmitter PEP
will be multiplied with 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. Licensees using other
antennas must maintain in their station
records either manufacturer data on the
antenna gain or calculations of the
antenna gain. No amateur station shall
cause harmful interference to stations
authorized in the mobile and fixed
services; nor is any amateur station
protected from interference due to the
operation of any such station."
|
USA:
5MHz for EMCOMM, not Ragchew, not Contest/DX
--an article by
Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA
The 60 meter ham band has quite different operating
privileges in various countries of the world. The
frequencies, rules, purpose, regulations, operating
procedures, and levels of priority are all different in
each country.
In USA, the 5MHz channels for ham radio were specifically
requested, justified, and approved primarily for Emergency
and Disaster Communications. The stated justification is
the need for NVIS and regional disaster response
communications to fill in the propagation gap between 40
meters and 80 meters. The process of the Amateur Radio
Service gaining access to these 5MHz frequencies was long
and exacting.
Recently, due to another multi-year process of proposal
and rulemaking, FCC increased the privileges slightly for
hams on 5MHz. However, the FCC put even tighter technical
restrictions on 5MHz operation than on any other ham
bands. 60 meters is not a normal ham band.
In this new ruling, FCC re-affirmed and clearly spelled
out major restrictions for hams on 5MHz. Hams are
secondary users (or less) and the Primary users of the
5MHz channels must not be interfered with in any way that
harms their communications.
Non-interference with a Primary user isn't just a matter
of stopping transmitting if you are asked to. It can also
mean refraining from transmitting, if there is any
chance that you might be preventing a Primary
user from utilizing or starting communications on the
channel, even if you are not asked specifically. The only
way we can hope to fulfill our requirement for
non-interference, is to use very short transmissions and
listen/watch carefully between transmissions.
What are some common amateur radio operating practices
that may not be suitable for 5MHz 60 meter band operation
in USA?
1. Calling CQ DX repetitively.
2. Long CQs.
3. Longwinded ragchews.
4. Calling in pile-ups.
5. High power transmissions.
6. Contesting.
7. Sending a long brag
file on PSK31.
8. Transmitting without listening first.
9. Split DX exchanges.
In order to be ready for Emergency/Disaster
Communications, hams need to have good familiarity with
the band and have equipment capable of operating 5MHz.
Hams can only do this by participating in active operating
on the 5MHz band. Somehow, we need to achieve a balance
between a good level of activity and the requirement for
non-interference. Finding this balance may be difficult,
but for the most part, hams are quite adept at good
operating habits.
Every ham operator transmitting on 5MHz must pay special
attention to the different operating methods and
procedures that this unique authorization requires.
There are proposals in the works to create an
international ITU allocation of a 60 meter Amateur Radio
Service band with Secondary status.
If hams in USA are found to be operating in ways that
disregard the spirit of the requested, justified, and
approved reasons for which we obtained 5MHz privileges,
then it may be extremely difficult to ever get FCC support
for increased spectrum.
Regards,
Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA
©2012 HFLINK. All Rights Reserved.
ARRL
Expresses Concern Over 5MHz DXing
DXING ON 60 METERS HAS DOWNSIDE, ARRL NOTES. The ARRL Letter. Vol. 26, No. 14 *************** The ARRL is expressing concern that negative consequences could result from chasing DX on 60 meters. Some DXpeditions have announced plans to operate on Amateur Radio's only channelized band, where amateur operations hold secondary status to fixed service operations, including some US government stations. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while it's legal for DXpeditions to operate on the 5-MHz band provided the licensing administration extends privileges there, DX pileups on 60 meters pose the potential for real and unique problems.
"US amateurs are limited to five channels on 60 meters, USB only, maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 W, audio bandwidth not exceeding 2.8 kHz, and not all of the channels are useable because of ongoing fixed service operation," Sumner points out. "It is absolutely imperative that any amateur transmitting on a 60 meter channel be prepared to relinquish the channel immediately upon being requested to do so" by a primary service user.
Among other things, Sumner says, this means constantly monitoring the transmitting channel, thus ruling out any split-frequency operation while using a single-channel receiver.
The Swains Island N8S DXpedition, just under way, announced plans on its Web site to operate SSB on the 60-meter frequency of 5.4035 MHz, although that band was not among those on an updated frequency list released this week. While Sumner said he wasn't singling out the N8S operation, working into the South Pacific on 5 MHz running just 50 W ERP on phone would be a challenge under the best of circumstances.
"Amateurs must resist the temptation to exceed the radiated power limit," Sumner stressed.
He also warned amateurs in countries that do not authorize amateur operation on 60 meters to resist the temptation to make contacts on the band. Radio amateurs transmitting on a 5 MHz frequency without authorization, Sumner asserts, not only are breaking the law but are putting their continued participation in the ARRL DXCC program in jeopardy.
"Anyone who submits a 5 MHz confirmation for DXCC credit may be asked to provide evidence that their operation on that frequency was authorized," he said.
Even countries that authorize operation on 60 meters impose the express condition Amateur Radio stations not cause harmful interference to fixed and mobile service stations.
"Should such interference occur and not be immediately corrected, it will place in jeopardy our existing limited privileges, our chances of increasing those privileges on a domestic basis, and any chance we might have of ever obtaining an international allocation," Sumner emphasized.
Last fall, the ARRL asked the FCC to expand 60 meter operating privileges and substitute a new channel for one that's often occupied by a federal government user. The League filed a Petition for Rule Making (PRM) October 10. The petition said amateurs have proven, through interference-free operation on the five channels, that compatible sharing of the channels is possible.
The League wants the FCC to authorize radio amateurs of General and higher class to run 100 W ERP and to allow Morse code and data communication. It also asks the Commission to replace the 5368.0 kHz center-frequency channel with 5358.5 kHz, so amateurs can avoid federal government digital traffic on the current channel.
If the FCC goes along with the ARRL's suggested changes, operation on 60 meters would remain on a secondary basis, and radio amateurs would still have to avoid interfering with incumbent federal government and other services.
In an unrelated move, the ARRL has supported efforts to have World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07) establish a worldwide secondary amateur allocation of 5.260 to 5.410 MHz. A participating national administration must formally propose the change for it to be considered this fall at WRC-07.
5MHz interference from BPL and HomePlug
transmitters:
Some Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and
in-building powerline communications systems (PLCs)
use HF and low VHF spectrum for transmitting signals
which radiate in the general area of the power lines.
Some of these systems have voluntarily conformed to
the HomePlug standard which uses "spectrum notches" in
most of the HF ham bands in their effort to mitigate
some of the interference they cause to hams. However,
the existing HomePlug standard does not provide
spectrum notches for the 5MHz channels. The USA FCC
requires that any new BPL systems have the capability
to notch out frequencies whenever they generate
interference to licensed services. However, in
practice, it is has been difficult to get BPL systems
to deal with interference complaints.
For reference purposes, here is a list of the USA
FCC-authorized BPL (Broadband over Power Lines)
transmitting bands for USA
1.705 MHz to 2.850 MHz (160m Amateur Radio Service)
3.025 MHz to 3.400 kHz
3.500 MHz to 4.650 MHz (80m Amateur Radio Service)
4.700 MHz to 5.450 MHz (60m Amateur Radio Service)
5.680 MHz to 6.525 MHz
6.685 MHz to 8.815 MHz (40m Amateur Radio Service)
8.965 MHz to 10.005 MHz
10.100 MHz to 11.275 MHz (30m Amateur Radio Service)
11.400 MHz to 13.260 MHz
13.360 MHz to 17.900 MHz (20m Amateur Radio Service)
17.970 MHz to 21.924 MHz (17m,15m Amateur Radio
Service)
22.000 MHz to 74.800 MHz (12m,10m,6m Amateur Radio
Service)
75.200 to 80.000 MHz
Note:
The above information about BPL is only provided as
a reference guide for those who are using 5MHz
and experience interference from BPL.
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