The 6-millimeter or 47 GHz band is a portion of the EHF (microwave) radio spectrum internationally allocated to amateur radio and amateur satellite use between 47.0 GHz and 47.2 GHz.[1]
Due to the lack of commercial off the shelf radios, amateurs who operate on the 6 mm band must design and construct their own equipment.[2] Amateurs often use the band to experiment with the maximum communication distance they can achieve, and they also use it occasionally for radio contesting.[2] In some areas, amateurs maintain 47 GHz propagation beacons on mountain tops.[2] The band has been successfully used by amateurs in moon bounce contacts.[2][3]
Allocation edit
The International Telecommunication Union allocates 47.0 GHz to 47.2 GHz to amateur radio and amateur satellites on a primary basis in all three ITU regions.[1]
It is the only EHF band amateurs do not share with other radio services, and it is the only band above 2 meters which is exclusively for the amateur services in its entirety.[1]
List of notable frequencies edit
Distance records edit
The current world distance record on the 6 mm band was 344.8 kilometres (214.2 mi) set by US stations AD6FP and W6QIW on September 19, 2015.[6]
The longest distance achieved on 6 mm in the United Kingdom was 203 kilometres (126 mi) between stations GM7MRF / GM0HNW and GW0IVA on October 21, 2001.[3]
In Australia, the 6 mm distance record was 181.2 kilometres (112.6 mi) set by stations VK5KK/3 and VK5ZD/3 on November 14, 2019.[7]
The 6 mm Earth-Moon-Earth record was 9,967 kilometres (6,193 mi) set by stations AD6FP and RW3BP on January 23, 2005.[3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "FCC Online Table of Frequency Allocations" (PDF). 47 C.F.R. Federal Communications Commission. May 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "UK Amateur Radio in 47GHz" (PDF). Radio Society of Great Britain. August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- ^ a b c Day, Peter; Qaurmby, John (May 9, 2019). "Microwave Distance Records". UK Microwave Group. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- ^ "VHF Managers Handbook". 7. International Amateur Radio Union Region 1. January 2015. p. 52. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 17, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ "IARU Region 2 Band Plan" (PDF). International Amateur Radio Union Region 2. October 14, 2016. p. 15.
- ^ "Distance Records" (PDF). Amateur Radio Relay League. May 21, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- ^ "Australian VHF - UHF Records" (PDF). Wireless Institute of Australia. January 23, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
External links edit
- UK Amateur Radio in 47GHz – Radio Society of Great Britain
- UK Microwave Group's 47 GHz page
- Map of 47 GHz beacons in UK
- First 47 GHz VUCC – Mount Greylock Expeditionary Force
- Construction of a 47 GHz Transverter
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