Low-Frequency Experimental License Issued

de W1AW

Some U.S. Amateur Radio activity is coming to LF! The FCC has granted a one-year experimental license to the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) to conduct tests on the frequency 136.75 kHz. Experiments will be carried out from twelve northern Virginia sites using the call sign WA2XTF. These experiments are to gain low-frequency experience in anticipation that the FCC may allocate a band at 136-kHz to Amateur Radio.

Last October, the American Radio Relay League petitioned the FCC to create two amateur LF allocations at 135.7-137.8 kHz and 160-190 kHz. The League asked for a 200 W PEP power limit (no more than 2W EIRP) and asked that the new bands be made available to those holding a General class or higher license. The League proposed permitting CW, SSB, RTTY/data, and image emissions. Its petition was designated RM-9404.

The 136kHz 1KW transmitter at G3YXM.

Several countries throughout the world already enjoy LF allocations around 136 kHz. These include New Zealand, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, and several continental European nations.

Emissions authorized for these tests include 173 Hz and 450 Hz frequency-shift data (173HF1D and 450HF1D) and 100 Hz CW (100HA1A). The authorized transmitted power is 1 W ERP. The 12 stations will operate experimental transmitters, antennas and receiving systems using digital signal processing techniques. Low-frequency operation and DSP are two of AMRAD's prime areas of interest.

Participating in the experimental operation are Glenn Baumgartner, KA0ESA; David Borden, K8MMO; Robert Bruhns, WA3WDR; Hal Feinstein, WB3KDU; Terry Fox, WB4JFI; Andre Kesteloot, N4ICK; George Lemaster, WB5OYP; Shannon Mishey, N8TBM; Paul Rinaldo, W4RI; David Rogers, K9RKH; Elton Sanders, WB5MMB; and John Seely, AA4GM. W4RI is also the ARRL's technical relations manager.

While the list of stations is closed and new transmitting stations cannot be added, others are invited to join the project by listening and reporting results. Reception reports should be sent via e-mail to Andre Kesteloot, N4ICK, n4ick@amrad.org.

HB9ASB's helically wound 136kHz vertical antenna uses many, many reels of tape!

AMRAD is a worldwide club of Amateur Radio and computer experimenters incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and affiliated with the ARRL. Among its other accomplishments, AMRAD aired the first Amateur Radio spread-spectrum transmissions and contributed to spread-spectrum rules development and developed the AX.25 packet protocol. AMRAD is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt scientific and educational organization. Further information concerning these LF experiments will be available in the AMRAD Newsletter mailed bimonthly to AMRAD members and available at http://www.amrad.org/.