6-millimeter band
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
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
- 47.0882 GHz Narrow band calling frequency[4][5]
- 47.088 GHz Propagation beacons[2]
Distance records
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
References
- ^ 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
- 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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Range | Band | ITU Region 1 | ITU Region 2 | ITU Region 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
LF | 2200 m | 135.7–137.8 kHz | ||
MF | 630 m | 472–479 kHz | ||
160 m | 1.810–1.850 MHz | 1.800–2.000 MHz | ||
HF | 80 / 75 m | 3.500–3.800 MHz | 3.500–4.000 MHz | 3.500–3.900 MHz |
60 m | 5.3515–5.3665 MHz | |||
40 m | 7.000–7.200 MHz | 7.000–7.300 MHz | 7.000–7.200 MHz | |
30 m[w] | 10.100–10.150 MHz | |||
20 m | 14.000–14.350 MHz | |||
17 m[w] | 18.068–18.168 MHz | |||
15 m | 21.000–21.450 MHz | |||
12 m[w] | 24.890–24.990 MHz | |||
10 m | 28.000–29.700 MHz | |||
VHF | 6 m | 50.000–52.000 MHz (50.000–54.000 MHz)[y] | 50.000–54.000 MHz | |
4 m[x] | 70.000–70.500 MHz | — | ||
2 m | 144.000–146.000 MHz | 144.000–148.000 MHz | ||
1.25 m | — | 220.000–225.000 MHz | — | |
UHF | 70 cm | 430.000–440.000 MHz | 430.000–440.000 MHz (420.000–450.000 MHz)[y] | |
33 cm | — | 902.000–928.000 MHz | — | |
23 cm | 1.240–1.300 GHz | |||
13 cm | 2.300–2.450 GHz | |||
SHF | 9 cm | 3.400–3.475 GHz[y] | 3.300–3.500 GHz | |
5 cm | 5.650–5.850 GHz | 5.650–5.925 GHz | 5.650–5.850 GHz | |
3 cm | 10.000–10.500 GHz | |||
1.2 cm | 24.000–24.250 GHz | |||
EHF | 6 mm | 47.000–47.200 GHz | ||
4 mm[y] | 75.500 GHz[x] – 81.500 GHz | 76.000–81.500 GHz | ||
2.5 mm | 122.250–123.000 GHz | |||
2 mm | 134.000–141.000 GHz | |||
1 mm | 241.000–250.000 GHz | |||
THF | Sub-mm | Some administrations have authorized spectrum for amateur use in this region; others have declined to regulate frequencies above 300 GHz. | ||
[v] All allocations are subject to variation by country. For simplicity, only common allocations found internationally are listed. See a band's article for specifics. | ||||
See also: Radio spectrum, Electromagnetic spectrum |
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