Report on the MRCN/RAC 5 MHz (60 metre) experiment Submitted to Radio Amateurs of Canada J. Craig VO1NA Past RAC Section Manager, Newfoundland and Labrador Introduction Interest in 60 metres within MRCN started following the allocation of spot frequencies to amateurs in the UK. Our members began by exchanging reception reports of 60 metre CW and SSB signals with our overseas amateur colleagues. A request was made to Industy Canada on behalf of the club to conduct experiments within the band and was eventually approved, thanks to some very helpful advice from RAC. A revised proposal was prepared in consultation with Jim dean VE3IQ was quickly approved under the following parameters: Frequencies: 5260, 5269, 5280, 5290, 5319, 5329, 5400 and 5405 kHz. Modes: A1A,J3E. Bandwidth: 3 kHz. Power: 100 watts. Call sign VO1MRC. The experiment, dubbed the Five Megex was designed to provide new information that would be of assistance to RAC in their efforts to secure additional spectrum ibetween the 3.5 to 7 MHz bands on behalf of all Canadian amateurs. The scientific objective was to show that 5 MHz could be used at times when the ajacent bands were less favourable as a result of variablility in propagation. Method The experimental station comprised a surplus Canadian Marconi CH150 transceiver a personal computer with home brewed software to key the transmitter, to switch antennas and to identify which antenna was in use during each beacon transmission. The antennas were an 85' tower and an inverted V with the apex at 35 feet. Thanks to the RAC internet bulletin service over which the transmissions were announced to the amateur community, signal reports were received from all over the world. In another instance an FT1000MP amateur transceiver was used with a 160m inverted L which coincidently had a convenient resonanace on 5 MHz. The beacon was operated for several 24 hour periods. In addition, the station opened for 2-way contacts on 5 Mhz for stations authorised to transmit on that band and for crossband contacts for those not authorised. Again, bulletins were prepared and distributed in advance of these operations by Radio Amateurs of Canada. The authorisation was renewed by Industry Canada on the Recommendation of RAC several times and concluded on June 2007. In the final phase of the experiment, MRCN members took to the air waves on all of our allotted spot frequencies, thanks to a computer controlled DDS circuit constructed from bits from VE1TIL and W7OIL by your's truly as a club project. Results: In addition to evaluating propagation over various paths as outlined on our web page, there were a few significant milestones. These include the first Canada/USA qso between the RAC NL SM and ARRL news editor Rick N1RL. The first amateur 60m transmission around the globe to honorary MRCN member Ric VK7RO took place during a 5-7 MHz crossband QSO. Good results on CW and USB were had across the NL section with many reporting improved reception over 40 and 80 metres. However his was more likely due to the 60m channel having less QRM than to a better progpagation on either 3.7 or 7.1 MHz. Beacon experiments showed diurnal variability in signal strengths over distances of several hundred km and also for the transatlantic path. Much was learnt about different polarisations, automated beacon operation, computer-radio control, signal strenght measurements and the use of frequency synthesisers as injection oscillators for heterodyne transceivers. It had been hoped go gain more information about the differences in propagation between 3.5, 5 and 7 MHz over the range of several hundred km, but the signal strength readings were at a resolution insufficient to test hypothesis. We did, however establish that 5 MHz was very useful despite U/LSB confusion from time to time. On the other hand, there was no such problem with CW transmissions. In the context of emergency communications when signal strengths are poor, even a small difference of 3 dB can mean the difference between the message getting through or not. A certificate programme was initiated to promote interest in the experiment and several amateur in VO land were issued wall paper for their outstanting monitoring efforts in making the experiment a success. These were Carl VO1UL, Lester VO1UG and Ian VO1BC. It is unfortunate that the face of amateur radio has changed over the past several decades with less emphasis on thetechnical and experimental component. As a result, the interest in the NL section was not quite as high as could be expcted. We did get some usefull results from a small group of enthisiastic amateurs at different regional ranges. Although the experiment was authorised on a noninterference basis, there were no instances of interference to other serivces. In contrast, contesting and general crowded band conditions frequently made regional 3.5 and 7 MHz operations challenging. The interest in resuming the experiment and its use for emergency communications are compelling reasons to make 60m a new amateur band in the future. Bibliography ---------------- -web page for 60m metres. www.ucs.mun.ca~/jcraig/5Megex.html -several RAC bulletins. (see 60m directory on home computer). -announcements in The Canadian Amateud Magazine. -Many announcemnts by ARRL (QST, Web page) thanks to Rick N1RL. -TCA Nov/Dec 2003 p 10 MRCN QRV on 60m