Ofcom Mulls Over 6 Ghz Band Sharing For Wi-Fi And Mobile

The concept of spectrum-sharing is nothing new for radio amateurs, but now in the UK, the regulator is proposing that, for the first time, spectrum-sharing should be done between two different technologies. With traffic increasing in the UK for the usage of both Wi-Fi and mobile services, Ofcom is exploring ways for both technologies to share the upper part of the 6 GHz band - frequencies between 6.425 and 7.125 GHz. The regulator is hoping that its implementation will benefit mobile networks, especially in crowded areas, and at the same time provide support for advanced Wi-Fi services. The proposed sharing would require both services to explore ways of integrating shared usage, perhaps by developing a sensing capability in which one could detect the other’s presence on a frequency.

In a statement, Ofcom said the change would provide a basis for the future, eventually supporting virtual and augmented reality as well as AI. Meanwhile, Ofcom said that it hopes to see the lower part of the 6 GHz band, frequencies between 5.925 and 6.425, used for higher-power Wi-Fi outdoors whose frequencies are at present only allocated for low-power indoor use.

Video Tribute Honours New Zealand CW Op

The YouTube tribute by Nick ZL2NEB to his friend Gerard ZL2GVA, is a video QSL card of sorts, the final courtesy for a contact that changed his life and brought him into the amateur radio community.

Gerard, who was originally licenced in 1992 as PE1ONB, opened the door to ham radio for Nick and became his Elmer and later, fellow operator, on his POTA adventures.

Gerard, who was an enthusiastic CW operator and a net control operator for the NZ Net, died of cancer at age 59 in November of 2024. On the 1st of February, a celebration of his life was held in New Zealand. Nick's video, posted on YouTube a day later, is an appreciation on a personal level, a reflection on what friendship can mean, especially in a tight-knit community of radio operators.

Nick urges Hams to continue being communicator and always say what needs to be said - on and off the air.

As Dogs Pull Sleds, Hams Pull Long Shifts On Air

Winter racing fans in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula finally got what they waited two years for: enough snow in the region for the return of a sled-dog race that is a qualifier to the world-famous Iditarod. Hams weren’t pulling sleds but they were on the scene anyway, pulling down some big responsibilities to ensure participant safety. This is very different from a road rally with cars, a boat race, a race with cyclists or even a road-runners’ race – all races that request hams’ communication assistance.

This is the UP200 and its 228-mile snow-covered path through near-wilderness, creek crossings and challenging terrain in northern Michigan brings out sled dogs, racing fans and amateur radio operators. Sufficient snowfall this year also put two smaller, concurrent races back in action: the Midnight Run and the Jack Pine.

The races between the 13th - 17th of February challenged the four-footed athletes, the sledders’ navigational skills and some 30 radio amateurs responsible for keeping everyone as safe and as on-track as they could. Radio communication was coordinated by Tom Perry, KE8TPT, and many of the hams were from the Hiawatha Amateur Radio Association.

Tom told local media outlets that the success of the system drew heavily on having a robust linked repeater system in the region. This allowed everyone to hear all the other radio operators. With cell phone access not being an option, that kept everyone - including the hams - in the race. The Iditarod, a major sporting event in Alaska, will be held next month in Anchorage.

Source - ARNewsline