Southgate News has a bit more on the Irish 8m beacon. In the article it says there are only 2 beacons operational. I thought this made 3 adding to the ones in England and Denmark. I have since found out that the UK beacon is not operational.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/may/additional-information-on-the-new-40-mhz-beacon-in-ireland.htm#.Xr0ITmjYq00
Certainly, there has been at least 1 cross-band QSO 8m-6m between EI and OE. This looks a bit like the early days on 6m.
I do hope 8m becomes more widely available. It is ideal for Es and MS research. Maybe a few more should apply for special access even on spot frequencies and with power limits on a non-interference basis? This may be the first baby steps we have to take? There has been at least one 8m QSO between EI and LY with the LY getting special permission.
A very good resource seems to be John EI7GL's blog at https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/p/40-mhz.html.
Hi Roger
ReplyDeleteSome points...
1) The 40 MHz beacon in England hasn't been operational for a number of years.
2) There is certainly scope for people getting special permission to operate on spot frequencies or in the ISM band of 40.660 to 40.700 MHz with very low power and using modes like WSPR subject to approval.
3) A new 40 MHz & 60 MHz Facebook group has now been set up for those interested in this part of the VHF spectrum... https://www.facebook.com/groups/2897330140356898/
John, EI7GL
Thanks for the update John. I shall join that FB group.
DeleteMy 817 will transmit as well as receive on 40MHz. It would probably need some additional Tx filtering though even if Ofcom did give permission for some spot frequencies. However at least I can listen there!
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Keith G0RQQ