FW: [DXLab] 60m Band - Some research by AD0K
Julio Peralta
I thought this might be of interest to some club members.
Julio, W4HY
From: DX...@groups.io <DX...@groups.io> On Behalf Of Don Inbody AD0K Buda, TX via groups.io
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2026 10:54 PM
Subject: [DXLab] 60m Band - Some research by AD0K
I have been doing some research on the new FCC rules/guidance on the 60m band. This is a long email, and I will keep working on it as more information comes out. You can access the Word File directly here: ===> File
I sent a version of this email some time ago and have added information about EU and JA to help with how the new US rules will interface with those countries. If anyone has better info than this, please let me know.
The FCC has proposed these new rules but has yet (as of 2 January 2026) to file them in the Federal Register. Once that has happened, they will take effect 30 days thereafter. I suspect we will get notification of this from ARRL, but it is easy to check for yourself. (I just ask Google Gemini to check for me.)
In short, we will have use of a contiguous band from 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz. This band will be limited to 15w EIRP (~9w ERP). You will have to calculate your own line losses and any gain your particular antenna has to find out what power level that translates to on your radio. In my case, I will have to keep my TS-590SG to about 10 or 11 watts. Your ERP/EIRP will depend on your feedline and type of antenna you are using on 60m. In my case, 250 feet of RG-8 to a 160m inverted vee being operated on 60m gives me means I have to keep my TS-590SG to about 10 watts in the new contiguous band. I can run full barefoot on the legacy channels. (Use AI to help you calculate...it's reasonably accurate if you tell it your exact configuration.)
We will also have the use of 4 channels:
Channel ID Dial Freq (USB) Center Freq Status
Channel 1 5330.5 kHz 5332.0 kHz 100W ERP Allowed (160 w EIRP)
Channel 2 5346.5 kHz 5348.0 kHz 100W ERP Allowed (160 w EIRP)
Channel 4 5371.5 kHz 5373.0 kHz 100W ERP Allowed (160 w EIRP)
Channel 5 5403.5 kHz 5405.0 kHz 100W ERP Allowed (160 w EIRP)
Note that Channel 3 (5357.0 Dial frequency) (the current standard FT-8 channel) will no longer be permitted as a 100w channel. That channel falls within the contiguous band and so must be limited to 15w EIRP. No guidance has been provided by ARRL or any other authority as to which channel is going to become the FT-8/digital channel. (My guess, is we will find ourselves either operating QRP or working split, with US station transmitting 100w on our legacy channels and other countries transmitting on the QRP band. We will see.)
Why has this occurred? In short, the US is falling in with most of the rest of the world. However, the background is a bit more convoluted.
The Federal Government is the Primary User of the entire 5 MHz spectrum. Amateur Radio operators are guests ("Secondary Users").
This means if you hear any non-amateur traffic on these frequencies, you must cease transmitting immediately. You are legally protecting these specific agencies and operations:
1. The "Big Three" Primary Users: These agencies use the 60m band for secure voice, digital data links, and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) networks.
(a) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / FEMA: This is the heaviest user. They use these frequencies for cross-agency emergency coordination.
(b) Department of Defense (DoD): US Navy, Army, and Air Force use 5 MHz for tactical communication and data links.
(c) US Coast Guard (USCG): They utilize this spectrum for ship-to-shore communication and cutter-coordination, often using digital modes that sound like "chirps" or "hissing."
2. The SHARES Program (Shared Resources): You will often hear traffic from the SHARES network on or near amateur frequencies.
What it is: A federal program managed by DHS that coordinates HF radio resources for national security and emergency preparedness.
Who is on it: It allows Critical Infrastructure entities (power companies, telecom providers, hospitals, NGOs like Red Cross) to talk directly to Federal agencies using government frequencies.
The Conflict: SHARES traffic often uses upper sideband (USB) voice, just like hams. If you hear a net checking in stations with strange callsigns (e.g., "NNA4AC", "AAR3MC"), that is a Federal SHARES net. Do not transmit.
3. Department of State: Embassy and consular traffic occasionally appears here, usually as encrypted digital bursts.
Why "Old Channel 3" (5357.0 kHz) Was Demoted
The frequency 5357.0 kHz (dial) was likely targeted for the power reduction because it sits in a segment heavily utilized for ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) sounding.
What you might hear: A rapid "warbling" sound that lasts for 1–2 seconds.
What it is: A government radio automatically "pinging" the band to see if propagation is good enough to establish a link. If you transmit 100W on top of an ALE sounding, you can disrupt an automated federal network trying to sync up.
How does this fit in with the rest of the world?
UK:
The UK allocation (managed by Ofcom) is unique because it provides a series of "windows" rather than just a few discrete channels. To talk to UK stations, you generally tune your USB Dial frequency $1.5\text{ kHz}$ below the upper limit of their segments.
Here are the 11 specific segments available to UK "Full" Licensees, along with the most common frequencies used for calling and DX.
UK 60m Band Segments (5.2 MHz)
Segment Range (kHz) | Width | Common USB Dial (kHz) | Notes |
5258.5 – 5264.0 | 5.5 kHz | 5262.5 | |
5276.0 – 5284.0 | 8.0 kHz | 5278.5 | |
5288.5 – 5292.0 | 3.5 kHz | 5289.5 | |
5298.0 – 5307.0 | 9.0 kHz | 5301.0 | |
5313.0 – 5323.0 | 10.0 kHz | 5317.0 | |
5333.0 – 5338.0 | 5.0 kHz | 5335.0 | Close to US 5332.0 |
5354.0 – 5358.0 | 4.0 kHz | 5357.0 | FT8 / WRC-15 Block |
5362.0 – 5374.5 | 12.5 kHz | 5363.0 | Includes US 5373.0 |
5378.0 – 5382.0 | 4.0 kHz | 5379.0 | |
5395.0 – 5401.5 | 6.5 kHz | 5398.5 | |
5403.5 – 5406.5 | 3.0 kHz | 5403.5 | Primary US/UK DX Window |
Important Coordination Tips
- The 5403.5 kHz Connection: This is the "sweet spot" for Transatlantic DX. The US legacy channel is 5405.0 kHz (center), which uses a 5403.5 kHz USB dial. This lines up perfectly with the UK's top segment. If you want to work the UK on SSB voice, this is where you will find them
- The FT8 Frequency: Digital traffic for both the UK and the US has largely standardized on 5357 kHz. Note that under the new rules, you must drop your power to 9.15W ERP when operating here, as it falls within the new WRC-15 contiguous block.
- UK Power Limits: Remember that UK stations can run 100 Watts PEP across these segments, making them much easier to hear than stations in Germany or Italy who are stuck at 15 Watts.
- Frequency Discipline: Unlike the US "channels," the UK windows allow for some tuning movement. However, because the windows are very narrow (some only 3–4 kHz wide), you must ensure your signal sidebands do not bleed outside the segment edges.
EU:
While most EU countries strictly follow the WRC-15 standard (5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz at 15W EIRP), a few nations maintain "legacy" or "additional" allocations that offer significantly more bandwidth and power.1
Note that some of these countries are in the process of harmonizing with WRC-15, but as of early 2026, the following legacy exceptions are the most notable:
EU & Neighboring Countries with Legacy/Extra 60m Access
Country | Legacy / Extra Frequencies | Power Limit | Notes |
United Kingdom | 5258.5 – 5406.5 kHz (11 discrete segments) | 100W PEP (200W EIRP) | The most extensive legacy system in Europe. Includes 5403.5 kHz. |
Norway | 5260 – 5410 kHz (Contiguous) | 100W PEP | Very liberal allocation; essentially a full 150 kHz band. |
Denmark | 5250 – 5450 kHz (Contiguous) | 1 kW | One of the highest power limits globally for 60m (Secondary/NIB basis). |
Ireland | 5275 – 5450 kHz (Various segments) | 400W (Limited) | Access often requires a "Notice of Variation" (NoV) or specific license class. |
Portugal | 5370 – 5405 kHz (Segments) | 15W EIRP | Maintains segments outside the 15 kHz block but keeps WRC-15 power limits. |
Critical Details by Country
United Kingdom (Ofcom)
The UK does not use the "five channel" system exactly like the US. Instead, they have 11 small segments of varying widths.
- Key Frequency: They share 5403.5 kHz (USB Dial) with the US.
- Power: UK "Full" licensees can use up to 100 Watts, which is significantly higher than the standard 15W EIRP used in the rest of the EU.
Norway and Denmark (The "Big Bands")
These two countries are the "powerhouses" of 60 meters in Europe.
- Denmark: Permits a massive 200 kHz wide block (5250–5450 kHz).2 While they have moved toward WRC-15 for general use, their legacy rules still allow high power (up to 1 kW) for certain license classes on a non-interference basis.
- Norway: Maintains a 150 kHz block. Like the US, they are a favorite for transatlantic DX because their 100W limit allows them to punch through the noise much better than the 15W "standard" stations in Germany or France.
The Netherlands (A Warning)
The Netherlands originally granted a 100 kHz wide band at 100W, but they rescinded it in 2017 to harmonize with the 15W WRC-15 rules. If you see old charts showing a big Dutch 60m band, it is likely outdated.
Why this matters for US Operators
When the new FCC rules take effect, you will be able to work these European legacy stations more easily.
- Use the 15 kHz block (5351.5–5366.5 kHz) for weak-signal digital modes like FT8 (standardized at 5357 kHz).
- Use the Legacy Channels (like 5405 kHz) for SSB Voice to reach the UK, Norway, and Denmark, as they can run the higher power necessary to sustain a voice link across the Atlantic.
Japan (JA):
Japan has historically been one of the strictest countries regarding the 60-meter band. Unlike the US or the UK, Japan does not have any legacy channels and has strictly adhered to the international WRC-15 standard.
Japan's 60m Rules (MIC/JARL)
In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) governs these rules.1 Here is the breakdown:
- Frequency Allocation: Only the 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz contiguous block.
- Power Limit: Strictly 15 Watts EIRP (approx.2 9.15W ERP). There is no "high power" channel exception for Japan.
- Mode Restrictions: Japan's band plan is very specific about "Occupied Bandwidth." While they allow "All Modes" (including FT8 and SSB), the signal must stay within a 2.7 kHz bandwidth.
- Secondary Status: Like everywhere else, JA operators must not cause interference to primary users (government/maritime) and must accept any interference received.
Comparison: Japan vs. US vs. UK
Feature | Japan (JA) | United States (US) | United Kingdom (UK) |
Main Band | 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz | 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz | 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz |
Legacy Access | None | 4 Channels (5332, 5348, 5373, 5405) | 11 Windows (5.2 – 5.4 MHz) |
Max Power | 15W EIRP | 100W ERP (on legacy) / 9.15W (new) | 100W PEP |
FT8 Freq | 5357.0 kHz | 5357.0 kHz | 5354.0 – 5358.0 kHz |
Why Working Japan is Difficult
Working a "JA" station on 60m is considered a significant achievement for US East Coast or European operators for two reasons:
- Low Power: Because they are limited to 15W EIRP, their signals are often very weak by the time they cross the Pacific.
- No Legacy "Big" Channels: While you can use 100W to talk to the UK on 5405 kHz, you cannot do that with Japan. You must meet them in the 15 kHz "weak signal" window (typically on FT8) where both sides are limited to low power.
Pro-Tip for JA DX
If you are looking for Japan, watch 5357.0 kHz (FT8). Because of their power limit, Japanese stations almost exclusively use digital modes on 60m to make up for the 15W restriction. You will rarely hear a JA station on SSB voice on this band due to the low power and high noise floor.
For DXLAb users, I have proposed the following for the 60m segment in the bandsegments.txt file for Commander. I have it on standby and will implement once we know the rules are in effect.
If you hear anything else about 60m, let us know. Right now, we are waiting to see when the FCC proposed rules actually go into effect (they likely will in January or early February sometime) and we are awaiting guidance for any gentlemen's agreements on where FT-8 traffic will go.
73, Don AD0K
Buda, TX (EM10bc)
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