[Lf] Re: lf Digest, Vol 3, Issue 7

[Andre Kesteloot]

Kristjan Ragnarson wrote:

> Now that the 136 khz idea is down the scupper, why not try to get 
> possession of
>
> the old merchant marine MF band (400-515 khz)? Since CW at sea is no 
> longer a fact,
>
> that band should be up for grabs (considering that the NDB's are also 
> a dying breed).
>
> As an ex-merchant marine RO, I can attest to the fact that this band 
> is more than
>
> able to be used for trans-Atlantic and other DX use. Also, there 
> should be lots of
>
> commercial (MacKay & RMCA, et. al.) gear on the scrap heaps of seaports.
>
Hello Kristjan,
Indeed transmitting on 500 kHz would be very attractive, with better 
antenna efficiency etc.  I understand there is at least one US Ham who 
has obtained a Part 15 license to transmit (beacon) on that band. As you 
know, however, a Part 15 license cannot be used to communicate with 
other hams.
If US hams could get use of a sliver of that band, it would still mean 
that --in order to achieve transatlantic DX--  European hams (or 
Australians etc) would also need to get permission to operate on that 
band. This could take a while !
73
André N4ICK