Alex, LY3UM, writes that Lithuania amateurs have had access to the 4 m band since 10 February 2015. The permission dates back to the official gazette 2010, Nr. 108-5577 annex no. 1V-205, 2015-02-10, published in TAR, 2015-02-10, i. k. 2015 to 02041. Conditions are 70,240 MHz to 70,250 MHz, maximum EIRP 22 W, maximim SSB bandwidth 3 kHz and CW 500 Hz. Antenna height from the mid-point, not higher than 10 m from the ground.

The 70,0 MHz - 70,5 MHz band has been allocated to Amateur Radio use on secondary basis and included in the National Frequency Plan as published by the Mata Communications Authority (MCA) on 13 Feb 2015.There are quite a few local stations interested in being active on 4 m.

The Experimental License for WG2XPN with one-way only beacon operations on 70.005 MHz with 3 kW ERPd from here in the US (QTH: FM07FM) has been renewed until May 1st of 2017. As such, it gives the only 4 m North American beacon an chance to be heard via TA in the EU for another 2 years. That’s a good thing in my mind. Thanks again goes to the FCC & the Society of Broadcast Engineers here in the US for their continued support; after all this portion of spectrum is still reserved for TV service only and no US 4m ham band appears possible in the future. I am always hoping for a repeat of the 7000+ km Eskip DX reports that took place in 2013. To all EU stations on 4 m: Remember to point your beams West during Eskip season and give a LONG listen on 70.005 MHz. You might just hear something!

Matej, OZ1TEH, writes that the Czech Telecommunications Office has granted another extension 4 m permits for 2015. Two small changes applies: 1) the maximum validity of an individual license is one year and 2) it is not possible to apply for a permit valid for three different locations, however, /P operation is not permitted. The price of a permit is 500 CZK.

To celebrate the adoption of the band 69.9 MHz – 70.5 MHz as a secondary amateur allocation in the European Common (frequency) Allocation Table and Ireland’s significant involvement in the process, IRTS as the national IARU member society in Ireland is pleased to launch two new 4 m awards.

The purpose of the awards is to recognise and promote DX achievements by amateur radio operators interested in the range 69 MHz – 74 MHz. In-band and cross-band awards are available. Log extracts are required and there is currently no charge for the awards. The awards will be available from 1 January 2015.

70 MHz Maidenhead Locator Award (MLA) Programme

For the 70 MHz MLA in-band Half Century award, communicating with stations in 50 locators is required, 75 for a cross-band award

For the 70 MHz MLA in-band Century award, communicating with stations in 100 locators is required, 125 for a cross-band award

For the 70 MHz MLA in-band Double Century award, communicating with stations in 200 locators are required, 250 for a cross-band award. A Double Century award can also be endorsed for additional locators worked in steps of 50 e.g. 250, 300, 350 etc.

For this award points are earned for working WAC continents, DXCC countries and IOTA island groups. A continent is valid for 10 points (once only), an IOTA island reference which is not listed as a DXCC entity is valid for 2 points and a DXCC entity is valid for 1 point.

For the 70 MHz CCI in-band Century award 100 points are required, 115 for a cross-band award

For the 70 MHz CCI in-band Century Plus award 130 points are required, 145 for a cross-band award. A 70 MHz CCI century plus award can also be endorsed for additional entities worked in steps of 20 e.g. +20, +40, +60 etc.

During the last meeting of CEPT’s*, European Communications Committee’s (ECC) Frequency Management Working Group (WGFM) held in France, 5-10 October 2014, IARU presented a multi country contribution (document FM(14)127-R1) on behalf of five countries and IARU Region 1. The document proposed a modification of the European Common frequency Allocation table (ECA) by allocating the band 69.9 - 70.5 MHz, on a secondary basis to the amateur service.The document explained that around thirty CEPT administrations had already allowed national amateur use of the band but some remaining CEPT countries required a clear regulatory decision before they were able to open all, or parts of this band to secondary two-way amateur usage. The proposal was therefore to amend the ECA Table to include a secondary allocation to the amateur service for the band 69.9 – 70.5 MHz and additionally update existing footnote EU9 to state that CEPT administrations may allocate all or parts of the band to the amateur service.Whilst three countries opposed this proposal it was supported by more than ten administrations. In addition since fourteen CEPT administrations had already notified such a usage in the European Communications Office’s Frequency Information System (EFIS), WGFM therefore agreed to include this allocation change in the next revision of the ECA Table.It should be noted that this excellent outcome does not necessarily mean that frequencies between 69.9 and 70.5 MHz will be immediately available in all CEPT countries as the ECA is not binding on CEPT national regulatory authorities. However it does provide a clear basis for IARU member societies to seek a 4 metre allocation from their national licensing authority.The ECA is formally approved, revised and published by the ECC once per year. It is expected that the revision incorporating the change described in this notice will occur in summer 2015.* CEPT is the regional regulatory telecommunications organisation for Europe. Its 48 members are: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(FYROM), Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vatican City."

Today was published the new "Technical requirements for Radio amateur services" in Bulgarian State paper. Since that moment - 12.08.2014, 70 MHz is resolved for Bulgarian radio amateurs. Band plan is 70.000 to 70.500 MHz and the output power is 50 W.