Ham Bands Under Threat in US, China, and Worldwide

Ham bands across the spectrum are under threat in
China, the U.S. and around the world. (NASA graphic)

The FCC has proposed withdrawing the amateur radio allocation on 3.3-3.5 GHz to make more spectrum available for mobile broadband and the International Telecommuni- cation Union will consider a proposal to reallocate some or all of the 10-GHz band at the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2023. Both of these proposals are discussed in detail in February's VHF-Plus column.

In addition, the ARRL Letter is reporting that China has proposed major cuts to amateur allocations there, including the 2200-meter band, 146-148 MHz, 1260-1300 MHz, 3400-3500 MHz, 5650-5725 MHz and all frequencies above 10 GHz. Alan Kung, BA1DU, the CEO of China's amateur satellite organization, told the ARRL it is unlikely that all of the proposed reallocations will be finalized but conceded that pressure on spectrum space in China and around the world will continue.