The RSGB first made proposals to IARU in respect of some form of Amateur access to frequencies around 500kHz in 2002.  See RSGB paper on 500kHz, which was presented at the IARU Region 1 Conference in San Marino.  As a result the Conference adopted recommendation REC/02/SM/C4.11:

A Working Group was set up with the following members:

Rik Strobe, ON7YD (Chair)
Ulrich Mueller, DK4VW
Finbar O'Connor, EI0CF
Laurie Mayhead, G3AQC
Walter Blanchard, G3JKV
Mike Dennison, G3XDV
John Gould, G3WKL
Gesparik Richard, OM2TW

with corresponding members from Region 2: 

Arnie Coro, CO2KK
Fredrick Raab, W1FR
Mike Staines, WA1PTC
Tom Mackie, W2ILA

and from Region 3: 

Glen Dunstan, VK4DU

The Working Group's 500kHz reported to the 2005 IARU Region 1 Conference and also at the IARU Region 1 Interim Conference in 2007.  After a great deal of work by a number of the Working Group members the need for action to get the the issue of Amateur access on the WRC 2011 Agenda was accepted by IARU.  

Current position

Very intense lobbying by the IARU and various national delegates resulted in the 500 kHz proposal being accepted for the WRC-2011Agenda, which reads:

"to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services"

UK experimental access to 500kHz

Ofcom made an announcement on 21st February 2007 concerning Amateur experimentation within the UK on 501 - 504kHz,  though the granting of Special Research Permits.  See Ofcom announcement or for further information on how to apply, the RSGB LF Reflector and other useful links please navigation to "SRP for 501 - 504kHz" using the navigation button above.