I know that some of you don’t operate 60 meters, likely due to the fact that it is a channelized band, and that the rules are a little more complex than others. Well, life will be getting a little easier (sometime soon, but who knows when).
The FCC is going to increase the power limit to 100 watts, instead of the current restriction of 50 watts. It will remain a channelized band, and it seems that one frequency will be exchanged for another. That means that all of these radios that came from the factory with the specific channel set will need something done to them to allow operation (Gary can help you with this type of modification).
More emissions will be allowed as well, specifically CW, PSK31 and PACTOR II. This still remains a secondary allocation for amateur radio use. I like this band A LOT because it is a lot like 70 centimeters….It’s a land where experimenters go. QRP guys, antenna experimenters and the like are the guys you will encounter here.
For more info – check the FCC page on this subject. For the usual comentary that you can expect from some of the bums in our hobby, check out the QRZ.com discussion. It is unclear when the rule changes will become set it stone, but it is nice to know we haven’t totally been forgotten in Washington.
