[600MRG] New frequencies for French radio hams [including 630m]

[Ralph Wallio, W0RPK]

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/march/new_frequencies_for_french_radio_hams.htm#.UyV-voUf6no


  New frequencies for French radio hams

The minutes of the March 7 meeting between the French National Society 
*REF* and the communications regulator *ARCEP* have been published

French radio amateurs have gained access to 472-479 kHz with 1 watt 
output in Region 1 and territories in Region 2. Discussions also covered 
the possibility of an amateur allocation across the whole of 1.8-2.0 MHz 
and possible future allocations at 5.5 MHz and 70 MHz.

435-438 MHz is now allocated to the Amateur-satellite service for both 
Earth-to-Space and Space-to-Earth in Region 1 & territories in Region 2. 
Due to a previous error in the national frequency table French amateurs 
did not have Space-to-Earth for this band in their license.

The 2400-2415 MHz band is now allocated to radio stations in the 
Amateur-satellite service in French territories in Region 2.

Regarding the 1.2 GHz band the REF wondered if the Galileo GPS 
satellites, which broadcast across 1260 to 1300 MHz, may call into 
question the allocation of this portion of the band to the Amateur 
Services. The ARCEP said they would review this matter and provide a 
response.

The REF report the ARCEP had shown an interest in the ARISS school 
contacts which have a high educational value.

Minutes of the meeting between ARCEP and REF March 7, 2014 in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/REF-ARCEP-Minutes-2014-03-07

REF in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/FranceREF

A 2006 Galileo GPS article by Peter Blair G3LTF highlighted the problems 
this system could cause, see
http://www.southgatearc.org/articles/galileo.htm