8-meter Band
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The 8–meter band (40 MHz) is at present the lowest portion of the very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum available for national
amateur radio Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency radio spectrum, spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emer ...
use. The term refers to the average signal wavelength of 8 meters. The 8–meter band shares many characteristics with the neighboring 6–meter and 10–meter bands. However, as it is somewhat lower in frequency it does display the better
propagation Propagation can refer to: *Chain propagation in a chemical reaction mechanism *Crack propagation, the growth of a crack during the fracture of materials *Propaganda, non-objective information used to further an agenda *Reproduction, and other forms ...
mechanisms via the F2 
ionospheric The ionosphere () is the ionized part of the upper atmosphere of Earth, from about to above sea level, a region that includes the thermosphere and parts of the mesosphere and exosphere. The ionosphere is ionized by solar radiation. It plays ...
layer normally seen at
high frequency High frequency (HF) is the ITU designation for the band of radio waves with frequency between 3 and 30 megahertz (MHz). It is also known as the decameter band or decameter wave as its wavelengths range from one to ten decameters (ten to one ...
(HF) which occasionally appear in 6 meters. However, propagation, whereby radio signals bounce off ionized clouds in the lower of the
ionosphere The ionosphere () is the ionized part of the upper atmosphere of Earth, from about to above sea level, a region that includes the thermosphere and parts of the mesosphere and exosphere. The ionosphere is ionized by solar radiation. It plays ...
, is common on the band in summer.


History


Early- to mid-20th century

The 8–meter band was made available 1925-1928 to amateur experimenters in the UK and
Irish Free State The Irish Free State (6 December 192229 December 1937), also known by its Irish-language, Irish name ( , ), was a State (polity), state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-ye ...
, also a much wider 8–10 meter band was allocated to amateurs in Australia and Germany. Several tests with two portable stations were carried out during July–September 1927, under the auspices of the Q.R.P. Transmitters Society, operated by G.D. Abbott (6TA) and J.W. Mathews (6LL). After World War II, from 1955-1959 the 8 meter band (38-40 MHz) was allocated to USSR amateurs. Using a special license, Michał Kasia (SP5AM) conducted experiments in the 38-40 MHz band in 1957. Contacts with radio amateurs from far Siberia broke a new distance record on this band. For the
International Geophysical Year The International Geophysical Year (IGY; ), also referred to as the third International Polar Year, was an international scientific project that lasted from 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War w ...
on 4 October 1957 the Soviet Union launched Earth's first artificial satellite and set up to broadcast a beep on 20 and 40 MHz. Its signal was received and tracked by scientists and ham radio operators worldwide. A special permission of 38-40 MHz was issued to Club station SP5PRG in Poland. A beacon was operated at
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on 38.07 MHz.


Late 20th century

In 1988, the Australian Department of Communications granted VK6RO an experimental license for one year to transmit on two spot-frequencies (35.81 MHz and 41.75 MHz) for testing propagation paths, to assay trends of the maximum usable frequency (MUF) between 30 and 50 MHz. In March 1993 the European Radiocommunications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT launched Phase II of a Detailed Spectrum Investigation (DSI) covering the frequency range 29.7–960 MHz. The results were presented in March 1995. Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI Management Team recommended (among other things) that frequencies in the vicinity of 40.68 MHz be considered for amateur propagation beacons. A secondary allocation to the amateur service is also appropriate. At the same time
NTIA The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is a bureau of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President of the United States, president's principal adviser on Telecommunications policy of the U ...
published ''U.S. National Spectrum Requirements: Projections and Trends''. Future spectrum requirements for the amateur and the amateur-satellite services were contained in responses to the Notice provided by
ARRL The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the largest membership association of amateur radio enthusiasts in the United States. ARRL is a non-profit organization and was co-founded on April 6, 1914, by Hiram Percy Maxim and Clarence D. Tuska of H ...
and
AMSAT AMSAT is a name for various amateur radio satellite organizations worldwide. In particular, it often refers to the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, headquartered in Washington, D.C. AMSAT organizations design, build, arrange launches for, a ...
including narrow spectrum allocations (e.g. five 50 kHz slots) in the 30~50 MHz range. As noted in the report, the requested narrow spectrum allocations for propagation tests need to be studied for compatibility with current users of the frequencies.


21st Century

The
International Amateur Radio Union The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is an international confederation of national organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern to amateur radio operators worldwide, and collectively represents matters to the Internatio ...
(IARU) in Region 1 is currently encouraging member societies to try to obtain propagation beacon permissions at 40 MHz and 60 MHz. However any action on a CEPT or ITU allocation is considered premature and explicitly ruled out at this stage.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:8-Metre Band Amateur radio bands