136 kHz
Encyclopedia
The 2200 meter or 136 kHz band is the lowest frequency band in which amateur radio
operators are allowed to transmit. It is available for use in several countries, and at the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference
(WRC-07), it was made the newest world wide amateur allocation. The band is available on a secondary basis in all ITU region
s with the limitation that amateur stations have maximum radiated power of 1 Watt
effective isotropic radiated power.
The 2200 meter band is in the low frequency
(LF) region, just below the 153–279 kHz longwave
broadcasting band. Before its introduction in the UK in 1998, operation on the even lower frequency of 73 kHz had been allowed from 1996 until 2003.
The International Telecommunication Union's 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva agreed a secondary allocation 135.7-137.8 kHz to the Amateur Service on Friday November 9 (LowFER
).
and antennas
. Reception also poses problems due to considerable natural and man-made noise and interference (QRN and QRM).
Many users and experimenters have settled on extremely slow, computer-generated and displayed morse code
as the most common transmission mode. This mode is known as QRSS, where the doubling of the S emphasises the extreme slowness. The international Q code
QRS already stood for "Please send more slowly", or "slow morse" in radio jargon.
135.7 - 136.0 kHz
136.0 - 137.4 kHz
137.4 - 137.6 kHz
137.6 - 137.8 kHz
In 1998, the Federal Communications Commission
rejected an ARRL petition for LF allocations at 135.7 - 137.8 kHz and 160 – 190 kHz.
In 2002, indications from the FCC had been that 136 kHz privileges would be authorized soon. On May 14, 2003, however, the FCC declined to grant these privileges citing concerns over potential interference with power line communications used by electrical utilities to control the power grid.
The FCC added that amateurs wishing to experiment with 136 kHz communications may apply for experimental licenses or operate within existing Part 15
regulations for this part of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the case of Part 15, the field strength measured 300 meters from the antenna may not exceed 2400 microvolts per meter divided by the frequency in kilohertz, or approximately 17 microvolts per meter.
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators are allowed to transmit. It is available for use in several countries, and at the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference
World Radiocommunication Conference
World Radiocommunication Conference is organized by ITU to review, and, as necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. It is held every three to four years...
(WRC-07), it was made the newest world wide amateur allocation. The band is available on a secondary basis in all ITU region
ITU region
The International Telecommunication Union , in its International Radio Regulations, divides the world into three ITU regions for the purposes of managing the global radio spectrum...
s with the limitation that amateur stations have maximum radiated power of 1 Watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
effective isotropic radiated power.
The 2200 meter band is in the low frequency
Low frequency
Low frequency or low freq or LF refers to radio frequencies in the range of 30 kHz–300 kHz. In Europe, and parts of Northern Africa and of Asia, part of the LF spectrum is used for AM broadcasting as the longwave band. In the western hemisphere, its main use is for aircraft beacon,...
(LF) region, just below the 153–279 kHz longwave
Longwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
broadcasting band. Before its introduction in the UK in 1998, operation on the even lower frequency of 73 kHz had been allowed from 1996 until 2003.
International frequency allocation
A number of European countries have already allocated the zone 135.7-137.8 kHz to amateur radio use based on CEPT/ERC Recommendation 62-01 E ("Use of the band 135.7-137.8 kHz by the Amateur Service", Mainz 1997). The allocation is on a secondary basis with a maximum e.r.p. power of 1 W. Otherwise the band 130-148.5 is allocated on a primary base to the Maritime Mobile Service and the Fixed Service. The main users are naval one-way transmissions and radiolocation systems.The International Telecommunication Union's 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva agreed a secondary allocation 135.7-137.8 kHz to the Amateur Service on Friday November 9 (LowFER
LowFER
LowFER is a form of two-way radio communications practiced on frequencies below 300 kHz.-Practices:...
).
Technical issues
Such low frequency transmissions require specialist, and therefore usually home made, equipment. In countries where it is allowed, maximum transmission radiated power is usually limited to 1 watt (0 dBW), but even this can be extremely difficult to achieve from practical home made equipmentAntenna tuner
An antenna tuner, transmatch or antenna tuning unit is a device connected between a radio transmitter or receiver and its antenna to improve the efficiency of the power transfer between them by matching the impedance of the equipment to the antenna...
and antennas
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
. Reception also poses problems due to considerable natural and man-made noise and interference (QRN and QRM).
Many users and experimenters have settled on extremely slow, computer-generated and displayed morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
as the most common transmission mode. This mode is known as QRSS, where the doubling of the S emphasises the extreme slowness. The international Q code
Q code
The Q code is a standardized collection of three-letter message encodings, also known as a brevity code, all of which start with the letter "Q", initially developed for commercial radiotelegraph communication, and later adopted by other radio services, especially amateur radio...
QRS already stood for "Please send more slowly", or "slow morse" in radio jargon.
Band plan
The 2005 IARU Region 1 Conference defined the band as follows http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/Papers/HF/Davos%20C4%20Papers/DV05_C4_13v2%20Bandplan%20WG%20Bandplans.pdf:135.7 - 136.0 kHz
- Station Tests and transatlantic reception window
136.0 - 137.4 kHz
- Telegraphy
137.4 - 137.6 kHz
- Non-Telegraphy digital modes
137.6 - 137.8 kHz
- Very slow telegraphy centred on 137.7 kHz
United States
There is no 136 kHz amateur allocation in the United States.In 1998, the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
rejected an ARRL petition for LF allocations at 135.7 - 137.8 kHz and 160 – 190 kHz.
In 2002, indications from the FCC had been that 136 kHz privileges would be authorized soon. On May 14, 2003, however, the FCC declined to grant these privileges citing concerns over potential interference with power line communications used by electrical utilities to control the power grid.
The FCC added that amateurs wishing to experiment with 136 kHz communications may apply for experimental licenses or operate within existing Part 15
Part 15 (FCC rules)
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 15 is an oft-quoted part of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations regarding unlicensed transmissions. It is a part of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations , and regulates everything from spurious emissions to unlicensed...
regulations for this part of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the case of Part 15, the field strength measured 300 meters from the antenna may not exceed 2400 microvolts per meter divided by the frequency in kilohertz, or approximately 17 microvolts per meter.
Countries with a known band allocation
- ITU region 1ITU regionThe International Telecommunication Union , in its International Radio Regulations, divides the world into three ITU regions for the purposes of managing the global radio spectrum...
- AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
- BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
- BulgariaBulgariaBulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
- Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
- DenmarkDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
- EstoniaEstoniaEstonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
- FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
- FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
- IcelandIcelandIceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
- ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
- LithuaniaLithuaniaLithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
- NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
- NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
- SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- Austria
- ITU region 2
- CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
: Canadian amateurs received privileges on the band in December 2009.
- Canada
- ITU region 3ITU regionThe International Telecommunication Union , in its International Radio Regulations, divides the world into three ITU regions for the purposes of managing the global radio spectrum...
- AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
: The ACMAAustralian Communications and Media AuthorityThe Australian Communications and Media Authority is an Australian government statutory authority within the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio...
included the allocation of 135.7 to 137.8 kHz as a secondary service to Advanced License amateurs in the Australia RF Spectrum Plan which came into force on 1 January 2009. - New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
: Amateurs are allowed to operate anywhere between 130 kHz and 190 kHz with a radiated power not exceeding 5 watts e.i.r.p.
- Australia
Countries with past or current experimental operation
- United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
: The Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) permits licensed amateurs to apply for special Part 5 experimental licenses in the band.
See also
- Amateur radioAmateur radioAmateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
- Amateur radio bands
- Low frequencyLow frequencyLow frequency or low freq or LF refers to radio frequencies in the range of 30 kHz–300 kHz. In Europe, and parts of Northern Africa and of Asia, part of the LF spectrum is used for AM broadcasting as the longwave band. In the western hemisphere, its main use is for aircraft beacon,...
- LowFERLowFERLowFER is a form of two-way radio communications practiced on frequencies below 300 kHz.-Practices:...
- List of amateur radio organizations
- List of amateur radio operating modes