Topband: Top Band DX Operation

[wa4fki]

Good Day Gentlemen, 

According to the ITU and Amateur Frequency Allocations, this information can be found in URL http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11729   click on "HF"

Please remember 160 meters is a shared band, the amateurs share this band with other services. 

Region 1  160 meters is from 1810 to 1850 kHz
Region 2  160 meters is from 1800 to 1850 and then from 1850 to 
                  2000 kHz where is shared with other services (THIS is
                  only in Region 2) shared with fixed,mobile except 
                  aeronautical mobile, Radiolocation and radionavagation,
                  with footnote saying: 

Alternative allocation: in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, the band 1850-2000 kHz is allocated to the fixed, mobile except aeronautical mobile, radiolocation and radio services on a primary basis.

Region 3  160 meters is from 1800 to 2000 kHz but is shared with
                  Fixed, Mobile except aeronautical mobile Radionavagation,
                  and Radiolocation (It too is shared in Region 3, see foot 
                  note 5.97)
In Region 3, the Loran system operates either on 1850 kHz or 1950 kHz, the bands occupied being 1825-1875 kHz and 1925-­1975 kHz respectively. Other services to which the band 1800-2000 kHz is allocated may use any frequency therein on condition that no harmful interference is caused to the Loran system operating on 1850 kHz or 1950 kHz.

My thoughts would be to provide an area for Digital that all Regions could also use and adjust the suggested band frequencies so all could take part in DX openings, perhaps by gentleman's agreement use the area between 1845 and 1850 for Digital which would allow all Regions to communicate...:-))

Maybe that is the excuse that the Chinese use operating their OTHR stations in the 160 meter bands. hi hi

All radio amateurs should read the URL:

http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=11729   click on "HF, there are very many amateurs who think the amateur bands are those outlined by the FCC and posted by the ARRL, many of the Amateur bands are shared with some exceptions. Even the popular 20 meter band is a shared band from 14250 to the top of the band. 

Very Best 73's 

Bill Zellers
WA4FKI
IARU Region 2  MS Coordinator
ARRL OO