New European Harmonised Amateur Low Frequency Allocation at 136 kHz

DTI Press Release - 30 January 1998

The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) announced today the introduction in the UK of a new European Harmonised Amateur Low Frequency spectrum allocation at the frequency range 135.7-137.8kHz.

Modifications to the Amateur Radio Licence (Class A) will be made today by an announcement in the London, Belfast and Edinburgh Gazettes, which will make the new allocation available to all holders of a Full Class A licence.

At present, holders of an Amateur Radio Licence (Class A), who wish to conduct experimental operations in the field of Low Frequency radio propagation, may apply to the RA for a Notice of Variation to their licences - which, once granted, permits them to operate in the UK at 73kHz. Following the introduction of a new Harmonised European allocation 135.7-137.8kHz, the UK spectrum allocation at 73kHz is to be withdrawn completely from Amateur use on 30 June 2000. To prepare for this withdrawal, new applications to the RA to vary an individual's Class A Amateur Radio Licence in the present manner will not be accepted after 30 June 1998.

Only those amateurs holding Class A licences are permitted to operate at frequencies below 30MHz, so these LF allocations are only available to holders of a full Class A Amateur Radio Licence.

With no sign of abatement in the demands made upon the spectrum by both existing and new radio and telecommunication services, the RA continues to seek to balance the many needs of these services, with the need for Amateur Radio enthusiasts to enjoy reasonable access to the spectrum. The RA will continue to explore the possibilities of new allocations to Amateur Radio from the areas of spectrum which are not heavily in demand.

Notes for Editors

1. The above change of spectrum allocation will in due course be incorporated into the Amateur Radio Licence (A) or (B) Terms, Provisions and Limitations booklet (RA Reference BR68).

2. There are currently two types of Amateur Radio Licence, the Full and the Novice. There are two Classes of each type of Licence: Class A which permits operation on all available frequency bands; and Class B which allows operation on those Amateur frequency bands above 30MHz.

3. The Amateur Radio Licence contains a schedule which details the bands allocated to the Amateur Service in the UK, and the modes of operation that are permitted for each band. The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), the national representative organisation for Radio Amateurs in the UK, additionally administer a band plan which operates by 'gentleman's agreement'.

4. For many years, Amateurs have sought a spectrum allocation which would enable them to investigate the propagation characteristics of Low Frequency radio signals. After considerable monitoring, the current 73kHz allocation was identified as a frequency suitable for such experimental work and has been made available within the UK by Notice of Variation since April 1996. The long term goal of the Amateur community has throughout been to establish an International band in the vicinity of that allocation.

5. The RA worked with CEPT to agree a European wide allocation for low frequency experimentation work. CEPT/ERC Recommendation 62-01 was agreed in early 1997 and the RA is pleased to be able to implement the specified allocation within the UK.

6. A Gazette Notice will be published in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes varying the Amateur Radio Licence.

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