==BRITISH AMATEURS GET ADDITIONAL 100 kHz ON 40 METERS OCTOBER 31

Starting at 0100 UTC October 31, the 40 meter band in the British Isles
will effectively double in size when radio amateurs there gain access to
7100 to 7200 kHz. Ofcom, the UK telecommunications regulatory authority,
announced the Notice of Variation October 26.

The change, in the works since last year, is a result of actions taken
during World Radiocommunication Conference 2003, where conferees agreed
to move broadcasters out of 7100 to 7200 kHz in Regions 1 and 3 to make
room for the Amateur Service. Coincidentally, the UK band expansion, which
also includes independently governed regions where Ofcom regulates
telecommunications, will occur just about halfway through the CQ World
Wide Contest (SSB) this weekend. Contesters take note!

The Ofcom NOV makes the segment available on a secondary basis, and
amateur stations in the UK and affected regions may not cause
interference to stations operating in other radio services inside or outside
the UK.

The UK and Ofcom-administered regions join the Republic of
Ireland--which reportedly gained access October 20--as well as Croatia, Norway
and San Marino among Region 1 countries that have authorized access to the
additional spectrum on a secondary basis. The WRC-03 change does not
formally go into effect until 2009.-thanks to Lawrence Woolf, GJ3RAX;
RSGB

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FROM THE ARRL LETTER 10/30/2004