Tiny nation returns 60m, more power on 6m, adds 4m

[VK2ZRH]

The tiny principality of Andorra in southwest Europe, all of 468 sq. km, has returned access to 60m for the micronation's amateurs, granted them more power on 6m and added a 200 kHz-wide band 70 MHz for them.

Andorra's amateurs had limited access to the 5 MHz band up to December 2015, when it was withdrawn following WRC-15. Now, the Andorran government has resolved to provide temporary access to the new WRC15 allocation of 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz, with a maximum power of 15 watts EIRP; CW and USB is permitted, with a maximum bandwidth of 5 kHz. Permission is temporary until 31 December 2016, then permanent from 1 January 2017.

Meanwhile, permitted power on 6m has been raised to 600 watts.

The cherry on top is the new allocation of 70.0 to 70.2 MHz, which appears to be on a secondary basis (no interference), with permitted power limited to 10 watts, all modes allowed, and users must stick to the IARU Region 1 bandplan for 4m.

You can download the government's resolution here: http://www.ura.ad/Pla_de_Bandes.html

They do things differently over there.

[VK5ZLR]

They are very long lived in Andorra..... must be the extra exposure to RF at 5Mhz is good for health....

[VK4WDM]

I must resume listening on 5.357MHz for JT65 sigs. Now that low band propagation is improving there might be something to be heard.

73

Wayne VK4WDM