[600MRG] Special Event Planned this Fall on 630 Meters

[Ralph Wallio, W0RPK]

http://www.arrl.org/news/special-event-planned-this-fall-on-630-meters

Special Event Planned this Fall on 630 Meters

07/30/2014

Experimental operators on 600/630 meters will conduct a special event 
operation October 31-November 2.

"This event marks the 106th anniversary of the Berlin Treaty that 
created the international distress frequency at 500 kHz," said ARRL 600 
Meter Experimental Group Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR. "This will be a 
CW event."

Raab said some stations will operate beacons on the experimental band, 
transmitting anniversary messages, while others will simulate the sort 
of maritime communication that once occurred in this part of the 
medium-wave spectrum. They will call CQ on a designated calling 
frequency and then change frequency to complete the contact. Silent 
periods will be observed.

The activity will occur between 465 and 480 kHz and between 495 and 510 
kHz. "Different licensees have different frequency authorizations," Raab 
noted. "The designated calling frequencies are 475 kHz for the lower 
band, and 500 kHz for the upper band."

Raab noted that this may be the last such event that includes operations 
on 500 kHz itself. "This band is not being included on new experimental 
licenses, as it is supposedly reserved for a new maritime-data service," 
he explained. He said he anticipates that more information will be 
released as the event draws closer.