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2200-meter band

{{Short description|Amateur radio frequency band}}

The 2200-meter or 136 kHz band is the lowest frequency band in which amateur radio operators are licensed to transmit.{{cite book |last=Dodd |first=Peter |title=Low frequency experimenter's handbook |publisher=Radio Society of Great Britain |year=2000 |location=Potters bar, UK |isbn=1-872309-65-8}}{{cite book |author1=Dennison, M. |author2=Moritz, J. |title=LF Today: A guide to success on 136 and 500 kHz |publisher=Radio Society of Great Britain |year=2007 |location=Potters bar, UK |isbn=978-1-905086-36-8}} It was formally allocated to amateurs at the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07). The band is available on a secondary basis in all ITU regions with the limitation that amateur stations have maximum radiated power of 1 watt effective isotropic radiated power.

The 2200-meter band is within the low frequency (LF) band, just below the 153–279 kHz longwave broadcast band.

History

{{Expand section|date=January 2011}}

The International Telecommunication Union's 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva agreed a secondary allocation of 135.7–137.8 kHz to the Amateur Service on Friday 9 November 2007. Prior to the ITU formal allocation some countries did have access or predecessors at nearby frequencies. For example, in the UK, operation on the even lower frequency of 73 kHz had been allowed from 1996 until 2003. A small number of countries also have limited license-exempt use (LowFER).

International frequency allocation

A number of European countries have already allocated the 135.7–137.8 kHz band 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 ERP of 1 W. Otherwise the band 130–148.5 kHz is allocated on a primary base to the Maritime Mobile Service and the Fixed Service. The main users are naval one-way transmissions and radio-location systems.

Technical issues

Such low frequency transmissions require specialized equipment – usually custom made. In countries where it is allowed, maximum radiated power is usually limited to 1 watt (0 dB{{sub|W}} or 30 dB{{sub|mW}}), but even this can be extremely difficult to achieve from practical equipment 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 means "Please send more slowly", or "slow Morse" in radio jargon.)

Band plan

The 2005 IARU Region 1 Conference defined the band as follows:{{cite web |url=http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/Papers/HF/Davos%20C4%20Papers/DV05_C4_13v2%20Bandplan%20WG%20Bandplans.pdf |title=International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051229144702/http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/Papers/HF/Davos%20C4%20Papers/DV05_C4_13v2%20Bandplan%20WG%20Bandplans.pdf |archive-date=2005-12-29 |df=dmy-all |access-date=May 28, 2013}}

;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

In a Report and Order dated 27 March 2017, the FCC announced that amateur radio operators holding a General-class license or above would be allowed privileges on the 2200 m band with an ERP of 1 W, in accordance with the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12).{{cite web |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0329/FCC-17-33A1.pdf |title=FCC 17-33 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |date=2017-03-27 |access-date=2017-03-30 |df=dmy-all}}

On 15 September 2017 the Federal Communications Commission announced{{Cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-19578 |title=WRC-12 Implementation Report and Order |publisher=FCC |date=2017-09-15 |access-date=2017-09-15 |df=dmy-all}} that all of the part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules adopted in WRC-12 / FCC 17–33 would now be in effect. It also reminded users that they needed to coordinate with the UTC out of concern for interference with Power Line Carrier systems.

{{Quote|text=As specified in 47 CFR 97.313(g)(2), prior to commencement of operations in the 135.7–137.8 kHz (2200 m) and/or 472–479 kHz (630 m) bands, amateur operators must notify the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) of their intent to operate by submitting their call signs, intended band(s) of operation, and the coordinates of their antenna’s fixed location. Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after a 30 day period unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is within one kilometer of Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems operating on the same or overlapping frequencies. This notification process will ensure that amateur stations seeking to operate in the above noted bands are located beyond a minimum separation distance from PLC transmission lines, which will help ensure the compatibility and coexistence of amateur and PLC operations, and promote shared use of the bands.}}

Previously, in 1998, the FCC 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 14 May 2003, however, the FCC declined to grant these privileges citing concerns over potential interference with power line communications (PLC) systems operating unlicensed under Part 15 which are used by electrical utilities to send control through the power grid. But the FCC added that amateurs wishing to experiment with 136 kHz communications may apply for a Part 5 Experimental License{{cite web |url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-25967.htm |title=FCC 47 CFR Part 5 Rules: Experimental Radio Service (other than broadcast) |year=2003}} or operate under 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 2,400 microvolts per meter divided by the frequency in kilohertz, or approximately 17 μV/m.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

On 19 November 2012, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking{{cite web |url=http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017137896 |title=FCC ET Docket 12-338}} demonstrating intent to authorize the amateur service as a secondary user of the LF band between 135.7–137.8 kHz with a maximum EIRP of 1 watt. The notice seeks to reexamine the 2003 rejection citing the international allocation of the band in all ITU regions by WRC-07 and the lack of use by the primary allocation holders. The notice seeks further comment and empirical evidence regarding interference to PLC systems based on data collected by experimental licenses granted in the United States and by other stations around the world.

On 27 April 2015 the Federal Communications Commission announced a preliminary decision to permit amateur operation on a secondary basis from 135.7–137.8 kHz, at a maximum output of 1 watt EIRP.{{cite web |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-50A1.pdf |series=Report and Order |title=Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking FCC-15-50A1 |date=2015-04-27 |df=dmy-all |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

Countries in which operation is permitted

= Countries with a known band allocation =

|publisher = Belgian Amateur Radio Society

|date = 2010-04-21

|title = Belgian Rules and regulations

|url = http://www.uba.be/belgian-rules-and-regulations

|access-date = 2010-08-20

|df = dmy-all

|archive-date = 2011-10-02

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111002190510/http://www.uba.be/belgian-rules-and-regulations

|url-status = dead

}}

{{cite web

|title=Radio Frequency Plan

|url=https://dec.dmrid.gov.cy/dmrid/dec/ws_dec.nsf/nationalplan_en/nationalplan_en?OpenDocument

|website=Department of Electronic Communications

|publisher=Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy

|access-date=22 July 2024}}

{{cite web

|title=Journal Officiel de la République Française

|date=2010-06-30 |df=dmy-all

|url=http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jopdf/common/jo_pdf.jsp?numJO=0&dateJO=20100630&numTexte=118&pageDebut=&pageFin=

}}

{{cite report

|title=Government Gazette

|place=Greece

|issue=B'2845

|date=2012-10-23 |df=dmy-all

}}

{{cite web

|title=Regulament Forma Consolidata Radioamator

|page=23

|place=Romania

|url=http://www.ancom.org.ro/uploads/links_files/REGULAMENT_FORMA_CONSOLIDATA_RADIOAMATOR.pdf

}}

{{cite web

|title=Post- och telestyrelsens allmänna råd (PTSFS 2019:1) om den svenska frekvensplanen

|page=11

|place=Sweden

|year=2019

|url=https://www.pts.se/globalassets/startpage/dokument/legala-dokument/foreskrifter/radio/pts_allmanna-rad-om-den-svenska-frekvensplanen-ptsfs2019-1.pdf

}}

{{cite web

|title=Verordnung des BAKOM über Frequenzmanagement und Funkkonzessionen

|place=Switzerland

|year=2020

|url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20070034/index.html#a6

}}

{{cite web

|title=Regulation of special radio systems

|date=2009-07-18 |df=dmy-all

|url=http://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2009/07/20090718-7.htm

}}

{{cite web

|title=Resolução nº 697, de 28 de agosto de 2018

|date=28 August 2018

|url=http://www.anatel.gov.br/legislacao/resolucoes/2018/1157-resolucao-697

|access-date=2018-12-11 |df=dmy-all

}}

  • Canada: Canadian amateurs received privileges on the band in December 2009.

{{cite web

|title=136 kHz Report

|url=http://members.shaw.ca/ve7sl/136.html

|url-status=usurped

|access-date=2011-08-13

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229183149/http://members.shaw.ca/ve7sl/136.html

|archive-date=2016-12-29

|df=dmy-all

}}

{{cite web

|title=[no title cited]

|url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09688.html

|url-status=dead |access-date=2013-02-04

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016234337/http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09688.html

|archive-date=2012-10-16 |df=dmy-all

}}

{{cite press release

|publisher=Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques, des Postes et de la Distribution de la Presse

|agency=Réseau des Émetteurs Français

|date=17 December 2013

|title=Décision no 2013-1515

|trans-title=Decision No. 2013-1515

|pages=4–5

|language=French

|url=http://www.ref-union.org/images/stories/ARCEP/2013_1515.pdf

|url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317230438/http://www.ref-union.org/images/stories/ARCEP/2013_1515.pdf

|archive-date=17 March 2014

}}

  • ITU Region 3
  • Australia: The ACMA included the allocation of 135.7–137.8 kHz as a secondary service to Advanced License amateurs in the Australia RF Spectrum Plan which came into force on 1 January 2009.

{{cite web

|publisher = Wireless Institute of Australia

|date = 6 August 2011

|title = Australian Amateur Band Plans

|page = 3

|quote = The following plan is recommended as an interim plan for the 2200 metre band. This plan is based on the unofficial 2200 metre band plan adopted by LF operators in ITU Region I.

|url = http://www.wia.org.au/members/bandplans/data/documents/Australian%20Band%20Plans%20110806.pdf

|access-date = 2011-08-13 |df=dmy-all

}}

{{cite web

|publisher = Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

|date = 2018-04-19

|title = 中华人民共和国无线电频率划分规定

|page = 28

|language = Chinese

|url = http://www.srrc.org.cn/kindeditor/attached/file/20180419/20180419092816_2500.pdf

}} Amateurs radio operators in Mainland China with Type-B or C privileges can use 135.7–137.8 kHz with 1 W EIRP.

{{cite web

|publisher = Chinese Radio Amateur Club

|title = Operator Type Privileges

|url = http://www.crac.org.cn/?page_id=5204

|access-date = 2019-10-21 |df=dmy-all

}}

  • Taiwan: Following WRC-07, amateur radio is allocated as a secondary service within 135.7–137.8 kHz, up to 1 W EIRP is permitted in Taiwan.

{{cite web

|publisher = Ministry of Transportation and Communications

|year = 2017

|title = 中華民國無線電頻率分配表

|page = 28

|language = zh

|url = https://www.motc.gov.tw/websitedowndoc?file=post/201808231114390.pdf&filedisplay=1070716%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF%E6%B0%91%E5%9C%8B%E7%84%A1%E7%B7%9A%E9%9B%BB%E9%A0%BB%E7%8E%87%E5%88%86%E9%85%8D%E8%A1%A8%E4%BF%AE%E6%AD%A3.pdf

}}

  • Japan: Japanese Amateurs can use 135.7-137.8 kHz with 1 W EIRP as of 30 March 2009{{cite web

|author = Alex (R7NT)

|place = Russia

|title = History of LF / MF / VLF bands

|date =

|url = http://136.73.ru/h_history/h.htm

|access-date = 2013-01-23

|archive-date = 2010-05-04

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100504014222/http://136.73.ru/h_history/h.htm

|url-status = dead

}}

{{cite web

|publisher=Japan Amateur Radio League

|date=2009-03-30

|title=Japanese Bandplans

|url=http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/6_Band_Plan/JapaneseAmateurBandplans20090330.pdf

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127112547/http://jarl.or.jp/English/6_Band_Plan/JapaneseAmateurBandplans20090330.pdf

|archive-date=2011-01-27 |df=dmy-all

}}

  • New Zealand: Amateurs are allowed to operate anywhere between 130 kHz and 190 kHz with a radiated power not exceeding 5 watts EIRP

{{cite web

|publisher = New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters

|year = 2011

|title = New Zealand amateur radio bandplans

|page = 1

|quote = 0.130–0.190 MHz – 1800 metres, radiated power must not exceed 5 W e.i.r.p.

|url = http://www.nzart.org.nz/assets/maps/2011/bp1-2.pdf

|url-status = dead |access-date = 2011-08-13

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072800/http://www.nzart.org.nz/assets/maps/2011/bp1-2.pdf

|archive-date = 2016-03-04 |df=dmy-all

}}

  • Philippines: Amateurs are allowed to operate between 135.7–137.8 kHz effective 30 August 2012

{{cite news

|title = Philippine Radio Hams get 7200–7300 kHz

|date = 1 September 2012

|publisher = Southgate Amateur Radio Club

|url = http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2012/philippine_radio_hams_get_7200_7300_khz.htm

|url-status = dead |access-date = 2012-09-02

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104119/http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2012/philippine_radio_hams_get_7200_7300_khz.htm

|archive-date = 24 September 2015 |df = dmy-all

}}

= Countries with past or current experimental operation =

See also

References

{{reflist|25em}}

{{Radio_spectrum}}

{{AmateurRadioBands}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2200 meter}}

Category:Amateur radio bands