Italy gives Radio Amateurs experimental access to 70 MHz

It looks as though there will soon be some experimental Amateur Radio activity from Italy on 70 MHz.

From http://www.70mhz.org/

Upon request of Luca Ferrara IK0YYY, the Italian Ministry of Communications, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, is willing to kindly authorize an amateur radio experimental campaign on the 70-MHz band (4 meters) up to
December 31, 2007. Activities will however only be possible after the authorization has actually been signed.

Such campaign is being carried out under the technical coordination of Piero Tognolatti I0KPT, Full Professor of the Electromagnetic Fields Group and Director of the Electrical Engineering and Information Theory Department of the University of l’Aquila.

The technical parameters are:

* Modes: all (SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, digital modes, etc.)
* Frequencies:
* 70.100 MHz ± 12.5 kHz
* 70.200 MHz ± 12.5 kHz
* 70.300 MHz ± 12.5 kHz
* Maximum RF power: 25W EIRP
* Operational area: the whole Italian territory except for a 30 km strip from the Austria, France and Switzerland borders
* Antenna types: omnidirectional and directional

The experimental campaign, whose results will be published after its conclusion, is open to all Italian radio amateurs.

A beacon is shortly going to be installed, on frequency 70.088 MHz (mark) with FSK modulation (500-Hz upward shift). This is at the very low edge of the authorized band segments.

We wish to express our warm thanks to the Italian Ministry of Communications (Ing. F. Troisi and Dr. A. Cascio) and to the Italian Ministry of Defense, who, despite the administrative and operational hurdles, have once more given the Italian radio amateurs a clear sign of esteem and credibility. Sincere thanks are also given to the Università of L'Aquila (Prof. P. Tognolatti) for its exquisite and effective cooperation.

Luca Ferrara IK0YYY – Antonio Vernucci I0JX

The announcement on the Italian National Society website can be seen at http://www.ari.it/vhf/70mhz.php