In the UK the 70MHz (4 Metre) band is allocated with Secondary status. It is available on the basis of non-interference to other services outside of the UK. The power limit is 160W (22dBW) and permitted modes are morse, telephony, data, facsimile (fax) and radio teletype (r.t.t.y.). 

Understanding the Band Plan

The philosophy behind band planning is that it assigns frequencies for certain activities in such a way that all current users can practice the various modes of amateur radio with a minimum of mutual interference provided they are using state-of-the-art equipment and communication techniques. The RSGB band plan is based on the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 band plan.

The left column designation of the band plan shows the frequency limits of individual ‘sub-bands’ or segments. The allocation of sub-bands enables the indicated category of users to employ any frequency within that sub-band provided that no appreciable energy falls outside that sub-band. Users must therefore take into account the bandwidth of their sidebands when selecting an operating frequency.

  The centre column gives details of the maximum bandwidth/mode usage. The bandwidth determines the maximum spectral width ( -6 dB points) of all emissions recommended in a sub-band. The mode indicates the modulation methods ( e.g. telegraphy, telephony, machine generated mode) allowed in a segment. A machine generated mode (MGM) indicates those transmissions relying fully on computer processing, for example FSK441, JT6M, JT65, PSK31 or RTTY.

  The usage column indicates the main usage of a sub-band or segment. It contains meeting/calling frequencies agreed upon for the convenience of the VHF/UHF/Microwaves amateurs practising specific modes of communication. These frequencies are not part of the adopted IARU Region 1 band plan and though in the normal amateur spirit other operators should take notice of these agreements, no right on reserved frequencies can be derived from a mention in the right-hand column.

RSGB 70MHz Band Plan 

70.000 - 70.050MHz:

This area of the band is allocated to beacon stations. In the UK it is permissible to operate unattended beacons and the frequency 70.030MHz is recommended for this purpose. The primary purpose of beacons is the checking of propagation conditions both for every day amateur use and for special propagation research projects.

70.050 – 70.250MHz:

Narrowband modes  (in common with all v.h.f., u.h.f. and microwave band plans) are always found at the bottom of individual allocations. This is where you will find morse (c.w.), telephony (s.s.b.) and machine generated mode (m.g.m.) activity. Listen on and around 70.200MHz, the combined c.w. and s.s.b calling frequency.

70.250 – 70.294MHz:

This area of the band is allocated to All Modes with a maximum bandwidth of 12kHz. The 70MHz band is unique insofar that it still has an a.m. calling frequency on 70.260MHz.

70.294 - 70.500MHz:

This section of the band is allocated to All Modes channelised operation where both telephony and digital modes exist. These are narrowband f.m. (n.b.f.m.) channels with 12.5kHz spacing and in this sub-band area you’ll find f.m. telephony, packet radio, fax, r.t.t.y and internet gateways.

Incidentally although the UK usage column of this sub-band indicates that the majority of channels are
used by digital modes, internet gateways or emergency communication groups that does NOT mean you cannot use them for FM telephony. It is simply a case of listening on these channels to ascertain LOCALLY whether they are in use or not. If you hear no other traffic then you may conduct your contact on any channel you wish to use. 

International Access

During recent IARU conferences the RSGB submitted papers urging other Region 1 v.h.f. managers to approach their authorities to seek access to the 70MHz band. Prompted by this a number of administrations within IARU Region 1 have now granted radio amateurs access to the band.    

In 1998 Slovenia (S5) signed up to the CEPT agreement obtaining access at 40MHz and 70MHz. Their Four Metre allocation of 70.000 to 70.450MHz is based on the UK band plan with a maximum power output of 100W. Incidentally the allocation between 40.660-40.700MHz is for propagation beacons only. Slovenia is located at an ideal distance from the UK for a number of propagation modes including aurora, meteor scatter and Sporadic-E. Many Slovenian stations are now active on the 70MHz band and some of them operate on f.m. as well as c.w. and s.s.b. and therefore can be worked on converted private mobile radio (p.m.r.) sets. 

The station of OX3LX reports that in August 2003 he sent an application to the authorities in Greenland (OX) requesting access to the 70MHz band. On September 19 2003 he was informed in writing that amateurs in Greenland could now use 70.000-70.500MHz with an output power of 1kW

In December 2003 the Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia (9A) announced that effective from December 26 an allocation between 70.000-70.450MHz has been granted to Croatian radio amateurs. The modes of c.w. (A1A), s.s.b. (J3E), r.t.t.y. (F1B) and packet/data (F2D) have been allowed with a power limit of 10W output.

Since 2003 South Africa (ZS) has had an allocation between 70.000MHz to 70.300MHz with a maximum power of 400W output. Their band plan has DX sections for c.w. and s.s.b. modes between 70.030-70.150MHz and 70.200-70.300MHz. The 9000km path between the UK and South Africa is particularly interesting as both ends lie at the extremity of the trans-equatorial zones. A contact over this t.e.p. path is definitely on the cards and should take place when conditions are particularly good on the 50MHz band. The opening will probably occur in a few years time during the month of October. Keep a look out for the beacon ZS1FOR (JF96) operating on 70.002MHz that runs 15W to vertical dipole.

In 2004 the station of  OY9JD was granted a permit by the Faroe Islands (OY) National Telecom Agency to use three frequencies 70.025MHz, 70.050MHz and 70.100MHz on c.w. with a power output of 25W. He prefers to operate on 70.100MHz and is looking forward to working some stations soon via aurora or Sporadic-E propagation.

From February 2004 radio amateurs in Denmark (OZ) are now allowed to use segments in the 70MHz band without a special permit. A few stations with permits had been active on the band since July 2003. The allocated band segments are 70.0125–70.0625MHz, 70.0875–70.1125MHz, 70.3125–70.3875 and 70.4125–70.4875 MHz with a power output of 25W. As the c.w./s.s.b. calling frequency 70.200MHz is not available in Denmark the frequency 70.100MHz has been nominated instead. Beacons are allowed in the band 70.0125–70.0500MHz and OZ7IGY has been operating on 70.021MHz since November 2003.

In January 2006 the Portuguese authorities issued a number of special 70MHz permits. The good news is that three DXCC countries CT (Portugal), CT3 (Madeira) and CU (Azores) are included. The bad news is that the permits state a frequency allocation of  70.607 - 70.630MHz (outside of the UK allocation). However UK stations transmitting in the narrowband sub-section 70.050 – 70.250MHz and receiving CT stations around 70.600MHz, have made contacts.

The latest addition has been 3A (Monaco), which was allocated 70.000 - 70.500MHz from 26th Jan 2006 on a secondary shared basis.

Keep up to date

At the end of January 2006 there were 20 DXCC countries (3A, CT, CT3, CU, EI, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GW, OX, OY, OZ, ZB, ZC, ZS, S5, 5B, 9A) with authorisation to use the 70MHz band and by the end of the year there could well be a few more.

To keep up to date with recent developments take a look at  www.70mhz.org

This web site created by Stewart GM4AFF and Allan GM4ZUK and maintained by Ross G6GVI has up to date details of international allocations, band plans, beacons, contests, equipment and station reports.

Similarly you can register at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fourmetres/ to participate in a 70MHz e-mail reflector. 

For further information contact David Butler G4ASR    (g4asr@<no spam>btinternet.com)