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4-metre band
The 4-metre (70 MHz) band is an amateur radio band within the lower part of the very high frequency (VHF) band.
As only a few countries within and outside of Europe have allocated the band for amateur radio access, the availability of dedicated commercially manufactured equipment is limited. Most radio amateurs active on the band are interested in home construction or the modification of private mobile radio (PMR) equipment. As a result, communication on the 4-metre band tends to focus on technical topics, with long 'rag chews' being the norm as long as there is some local activity.
The 4-meter band, occupying the 70 MHz frequency range, has been historically significant for various regional radio services. Post-World War II, the United Kingdom allocated a segment of the band, specifically 56-68 MHz, to British community radio stations, a provision that lasted until 1949. This allocation was subsequently reassigned for television broadcasting by the BBC. Later developments saw the band's usage extend to France until 1961.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) was instrumental in advocating for the allocation of the 4-meter band to British community radio stations in 1956, replacing the 5-meter band. This reallocation provided a mere 200 kHz bandwidth initially, from 70.2–70.4 MHz. It wasn't until later years that the allocation expanded to the current standard of 500 kHz, ranging from 70.0–70.5 MHz.
International attention to the 4-meter band increased during the International Geophysical Year of 1957–1958, with several European countries being assigned frequencies within the 70 to 72.8 MHz spectrum.
During the 1990s, the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT conducted a thorough spectrum analysis, which included the 4-meter band among other frequencies. The investigation's findings, published in 1995, recommended the consideration of the 70 MHz frequency as an amateur radio band, aligning with existing amateur radio service allocations.
Several European and African nations have since broadened the 4-meter band's access to amateur radio operators. This shift from traditional commercial usage signifies the band's evolving role in radio communication. The CEPT has recognised the value of the 70 MHz band, leading to regulatory updates that support its use as a secondary amateur service.
In March 1993 the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT launched Phase II of a detailed spectrum investigation (DSI) covering the frequency range 29.7–960.0 MHz. The results were presented in March 1995. Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI management team recommended (among other things) that 70 MHz be considered as an amateur band.
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4-metre band AI simulator
(@4-metre band_simulator)
4-metre band
The 4-metre (70 MHz) band is an amateur radio band within the lower part of the very high frequency (VHF) band.
As only a few countries within and outside of Europe have allocated the band for amateur radio access, the availability of dedicated commercially manufactured equipment is limited. Most radio amateurs active on the band are interested in home construction or the modification of private mobile radio (PMR) equipment. As a result, communication on the 4-metre band tends to focus on technical topics, with long 'rag chews' being the norm as long as there is some local activity.
The 4-meter band, occupying the 70 MHz frequency range, has been historically significant for various regional radio services. Post-World War II, the United Kingdom allocated a segment of the band, specifically 56-68 MHz, to British community radio stations, a provision that lasted until 1949. This allocation was subsequently reassigned for television broadcasting by the BBC. Later developments saw the band's usage extend to France until 1961.
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) was instrumental in advocating for the allocation of the 4-meter band to British community radio stations in 1956, replacing the 5-meter band. This reallocation provided a mere 200 kHz bandwidth initially, from 70.2–70.4 MHz. It wasn't until later years that the allocation expanded to the current standard of 500 kHz, ranging from 70.0–70.5 MHz.
International attention to the 4-meter band increased during the International Geophysical Year of 1957–1958, with several European countries being assigned frequencies within the 70 to 72.8 MHz spectrum.
During the 1990s, the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT conducted a thorough spectrum analysis, which included the 4-meter band among other frequencies. The investigation's findings, published in 1995, recommended the consideration of the 70 MHz frequency as an amateur radio band, aligning with existing amateur radio service allocations.
Several European and African nations have since broadened the 4-meter band's access to amateur radio operators. This shift from traditional commercial usage signifies the band's evolving role in radio communication. The CEPT has recognised the value of the 70 MHz band, leading to regulatory updates that support its use as a secondary amateur service.
In March 1993 the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT launched Phase II of a detailed spectrum investigation (DSI) covering the frequency range 29.7–960.0 MHz. The results were presented in March 1995. Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI management team recommended (among other things) that 70 MHz be considered as an amateur band.