From a post on the vkzlqrp groups.io page by Peter Parker,
ACMA is currently seeking feedback on amateur access to the 5 MHz band in Australia.
https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/20...ion-132020
Funny it hasn't actually appeared on either of the other societies pages, they must be slipping.
I think we all need to push on this and get submissions in else it will be defeated and discarded. Then we will never get 60M access.
Four options are presented:
> Option 1: Australia-wide access to the whole band (5351.5–5366.5 kHz) but excluding Queensland and zones around existing transmitters.
> Option 2: Australia-wide access to 5351.5–5365 kHz, that is, exclude the top 1.5 kHz to mitigate against most known sharing issues.
> Option 3: Segmented and/or channelised use to mitigate against interference to existing services.
> Option 4: No amateur use.
I suspect that #2 is the best option as it gives operators in all states access to 60M but avoids the HF Land Mobiles in that top 1.5KHz part. Non-channelised is preferred.
By convention, our HF transceivers generally have memories so #3 could be a backstop position, and we can simply program up the few preset frequencies into memories, remembering that it will need to be set as USB despite the 'normal' use of LSB below 10.0000 MHz. The issue is that the RF power levels are not preset by memories so it becomes a matter of remembering to reduce power when on 60M. Likely - maybe not.
We probably need to also provide comment on the 15W EIRP power level. Given the adjacent HF Land Mobile and Aeronautical service USERS have 100W transmit power and does not specify antenna gain or EIRP. Equal footing ??
The 5 MHz allocation was a very expensive exercise for what was achieved.
The available band and the extremely low power EIRP makes it a farce. Looking at amateurs world wide, who also have the 15w EIRP restriction we see plenty of commercial high power amplifers with 5 MHz standard.
The hobby has shown it cant be entrusted with the goodwill of the authorities. Until the adjacent incumbents can be moved - I think the only practical thing is to wait - or start a go fund me to raise the funds to move them.
Another MUCH easier additional band is staring us all right in the face......and nothing is being done about it - Checkout the users above 1.875
Closes in a few days, get writing/submitting...
Email this morning from the ACMA and surprise surprise - no 5MHz band for Australian Amateurs.
Apparently the very narrow allocation we were looking for was just too much for the Defence Dept.
Not pleased with this announcement - but not surprised. There might have been 'thousands' who might have gained access but maximum actual simultaneous user numbers would have be more like 10-15 given the limited frequencies, channelisation for voice, the ones who have equipment and antennas that could readily access 5.3MHz, or the desire to even activate that band, the likes of FT8 users excepted.
It would have been nice - but let's move on - the ACMA won't revisit and/or review this decision far into the future.
