with their regulator, ICASA (The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa), SARL reached an agreement to exchange their channel at 5250 kHz for the more common beacon channel of 5290 kHz. The 60 m band was released for amateur radio in Switzerland (ITU Region 1) in January 2017, however the Sursee Amateur Radio Club obtained earlier the necessary official authorizations from their Federal Office of Communications for a Swiss 5 MHz Experimental Beacon project. Using the callsign HB9AW, the beacon became operational on 5291.0 kHz at 0000 hrs UTC on 1 June 2014. The transmission commences with the call sign HB9AW in CW (100HA1B), followed by five 5 seconds-long dashes. The dashes are each accurately attenuated by 10 dB in the EIRP power sequence 10 W, 5 W, 1 W, 100 mW, concluding with 10 mW, and repeats every 5 minutes, commencing on the hour. The beacon transmits from Sursee (Locator: JN47be) using a half-wave dipole, configured for high-angle radiation as an NVIS 'fountain' type antenna at a height above ground of 0.12 of a wavelength. A reflector is placed beneath the antenna. The aim of the system is to explore the propagation conditions on 5 MHz in the hills and valleys of Switzerland in relation to its possible suitability as an Emergency Communications band. An on-line form on the Sursee Amateur Radio Club's website accepts reception reports. 9A5ADI has established a QRPp (very low power) CW Beacon 9A5ADI/B on 5288.8 kHz running 100 mW into a 15 m long wire. It is located in Vinkovci (JN95jg). The transmission sequence is as follows - 10 seconds tone, v v v, callsign, power, locator, room temperature and pressure. The Luxembourg (ITU Region 1) national amateur radio society, Radioamateurs du Luxembourg, has re-established a beacon on 5205.25 kHz under the callsign LX0HF. Located near Junglinster (JN39dr), the beacon's power is 5 W EIRP, transmitting a continuous carrier with callsign identification at one minute intervals. The German (ITU Region 1) Amateur Radio Club (DARC) operates a propagation information beacon, under the non-amateur call sign DRA5 (JO44vo), on 5195 kHz, which transmits in CW (Morse code) plus various digital modulation systems. It is co-sited with the DKØWCY 30 and 80 m beacons. Owing to considerations of the rising cost of electrical power, the operational schedule of DRA5 has changed and it no longer transmits over the full 24-hour period. It is currently operational 0400–2200