New 60-Meter Privileges

Jim KJ3P

An FCC Report & Order was issued this week, containing some additional QRP space on 60 meters. These frequencies probably cannot be used until the R&O is published in the Federal Register. Here's hoping that the ARRL will issue some sort of guidance.

Question: Does SmartSDR+ automagically get a new Turf file when appropriate?

Jim KJ3P

Here's the Report & Order…..

FCC-25-60A1.pdf

VE7ATJ_Don

Hi Jim… TURF files are radio-specific, if I recall correctly. So the short answer to your question is probably No, it doesn't happen automagically. When Canada opened up a portion of the 60m band, I had to ask the Help Desk and they generated one for me.

I suspect, tho, that Flex has some way of autogenerating a new US TURF file for all the radios out there (or sending one via the SmartSDR server) registered in the US, once the new rule is formally adopted. Either that or there's going to be a WHOLE bunch of emails with new TURF files flying around. :-)

Mike-VA3MW

We are aware of this.

Bob2 K2DRH

Does awareness of the issue mean you are working on it? Tomorrow the rules change.

Ken

Well myself, I keep looking for the update!

Jim KJ3P

Tim Ellison, W4TME, at the HelpDesk answered my query yesterday:

 "The new 60m allocation for the US will be available until the next release of SmartSDR, which will be v4.2.x.  A TURF file is not needed for radios sold in the US."

Jim KJ3P

rdwing

Any solution for hams that don't want to be on v4 of SmartSDR? I have a 6400m that I am plenty happy with just where it's at; not that interested in adding a required internet connectivity check to the radio (for licensing purposes).

Mike-VA3MW

This fix will be in the free version of SmartSDR Basic 4.2.x. It will not be back ported to any other version.

k4em

I noticed US hams are still using 60m 5.357mhz to chase DX with 100w or more. For the life of me why did they change channel #3 to QRP. That freq was and still used by thousands of hams worldwide. Anyone can run QRP on any of those channels with no problem. Why select a freq that was used by thousands of hams Worldwide.

Also, the rest of the world doesn't follow what the FCC or ARRL wants anyway.

Dave, k4em