[600MRG] CQ to introduce MF/LF column (edited by John Langridge, KB5NJD/WG2XIQ)

[Ralph Wallio, W0RPK]

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/february/cq-to-introduce-mf-lf-column.htm#.WKYIdvJShi8

CQ to introduce MF/LF column

As ham radio operators in the United States await final FCC action to 
open new amateur bands at 630 meters (472-479 kHz) and 2200 meters 
(135.7 kHz - 137.8 kHz), CQ magazine is getting a head-start by 
introducing a column that will help interested hams get ready to "hit 
the ground running" once the FCC issues its final rules.

The new column - to be titled "MF/LF Operating: Life Below the AM 
Broadcast Band" - will appear quarterly, starting in the April 2017 
issue, and will be edited by John Langridge, KB5NJD/WG2XIQ.

Licensed as a high school student in 1989, John's interest in "life 
below the AM broadcast band" extends back even further, when, at age 11, 
he read an article in Radio-Electronics magazine about the unlicensed 
1750-meter band (160-190 kHz).
He had to content himself with operating on 160 meters until the 
opportunity arose in 2012 to join the ranks of Part 5 experimental 
stations authorized by the FCC to conduct propagation research in 
preparation for the new medium frequency (MF) and low frequency (LF) 
bands at 630 and 2200 meters respectively.
He was granted a construction permit and station license for WG2XIQ and 
maintains a regular schedule of beacon transmissions and two-way 
contacts on 630 meters. He also shares tips and posts a "grabber," or 
bandscope view, of 472 kHz (which updates every 5 minutes) on his 
website at <http://njdtechnologies.net/>.

In his column, John says he plans to cover a variety of topics, 
including station building, propagation, news events affecting LF/MF, 
and operating strategies. "My goal," he says, "is to market the bands to 
people who know nothing about them." The title of his inaugural column 
in the April issue is "Ham Radio Below 500 kHz: What is All of This 
About and Where Should I Start?"

Professionally, John is a consultant in broadcast engineering and 
information technology, working for a variety of clients. He has a 
degree in physical chemistry and is currently working toward his Ph.D. 
in that field. John and his wife, Paula, KD5YHI, live with their pets in 
the Dallas, Texas, suburbs. John's column will appear in the January, 
April, July and October issues of CQ.

"We are looking forward to sharing John's knowledge and experience with 
our readers," says CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU. "CQ has always been a 
leader in promoting new bands and modes, and in helping hams use and 
enjoy them. We are already seeing a growing interest in our soon-to-come 
MF and LF bands and John's column will be here to help our readers get 
active on them as soon as they become available for general use."