Commercial pressure for spectrum

The ACMA is considering whether the top end of the 70cm band could be better used as demands for spectrum continue to grow.

In a consultation paper 'Spectrum Options: 403 - 520 MHz' the ACMA states that the sub-band 440-450MHz has a relatively limit use by both the Amateur Service and Defence Department who share it.

Also noted are plans by the Bureau of Meteorology for increased use of 448-450 MHz for wind profiler radars.

A second paper ACMA paper 'Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2014 also includes matters of interest to the amateur radio and CB radio communities.

The ACMA will not be allocating the 42-52MHz (Channel 0) or 56-70MHz (Channel 1) to digital television services, however potential remains for a portion of them to be used for digital radio broadcasting.

It is also looking at doubling the number of UHF CB channels to 80 by halving the channel bandwidth from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz.
- Amateur Radio Victoria.
1/5/08