NEW BAND AT 5 MHZ

[IK0ZCW]

During the 18 November afternoon plenary session of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva, a new amateur service allocation at 5 MHz was approved. Although only a small allocation of 15 kHz between 5351.5-5366.5 kHz was eventually agreed, it is the first new allocation at HF since the WARC of 1979. After intense pressure from the fixed service primary user, power limits have been set at 15 watts EIRP in Regions 1 and 3, 20 watts EIRP in Mexico and 25 watts EIRP in Central America, South America and most of the Caribbean area. Member Societies not having an allocation under Article 4.4 of the Radio Regulations are urged
to contact their administration to have this narrow segment included in their licence, although the new Radio Regulations will not come ìinto force until 1 January 2017. [TNX IARU Region 1]