4-metre band
As only a few countries within and outside of Europe have allocated the band for amateur radio access, the availability of dedicated commercially manufactured equipment is limited.
Post-World War II, the United Kingdom allocated a segment of the band, specifically 56-68 MHz, to British community radio stations, a provision that lasted until 1949.
During the 1990s, the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT conducted a thorough spectrum analysis, which included the 4-meter band among other frequencies.
For a detailed overview of country-specific allocations within the 4-meter band, refer to the comprehensive table updated regularly on the Four Metres Website (70MHz.org).
In March 1993 the European Radio Communications Office (now ECC) of the CEPT launched Phase II of a detailed spectrum investigation (DSI) covering the frequency range 29.7–960.0 MHz.
The 4-meter band is gaining traction across various regions, with usage extending to amateur radio operators in Europe and Africa.
Historically limited to the UK, Gibraltar, and British Military Bases in Cyprus, the band's allocation has evolved due to changes in technology and regulatory stances.
The CEPT's recognition of the band for amateur radio use, facilitated by the regulatory footnote "ECA9," has been a significant factor in this growth.
[1] Regular updates on the allocations are provided on the dedicated Four Metres Website (70MHz.org), reflecting the dynamic nature of frequency management.
For instance, devices like the Philips FM1000 and the Ascom SE550, while not expressly made for the 4-meter band, are popular among hobbyists for their adaptability and sufficient range for local communications.
Notably, some amateur radio operators have repurposed equipment to access the 4-meter frequencies, demonstrating the innovative spirit of the community.
[5][6][7] In the UK the band has a mix of AM, FM and DX activity, assisted by the recent support for 70 MHz in newer amateur radio equipment.
When the band conditions are poor or in cases where stations operator are able to transmit with modest power levels only, modern digital modes, capable of decoding transmissions down to a -12 dB s/n level, such as PSK31, Thor or Olivia, still permit reliable keyboard-to-keyboard free text communications at relatively large distances.
