Industry Canada posts the 60m notice in the Canada Gazette.

RADIOCOMMUNICATION ACT

Notice No. SMSE-010-12 — Consultation on Changes to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations and to RBR-4 to Allow for Amateur Radio Service Use in the 5 MHz Band

The purpose of this notice is to announce the release of the above-mentioned document, which initiates a consultation on the addition of a footnote to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations to allow the amateur radio service to operate on six frequencies in the 5 MHz range on a no-protection, no-interference basis. Industry Canada is also consulting on possible amendments to Regulation by Reference RBR-4, Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service. These amendments specify emission designators, transmit power and occupied bandwidth for amateur radio service transmissions on these frequencies.

Background

In 2010, the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) approached Industry Canada and requested the use of five centre frequencies in the 5 MHz band, namely 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5358.5 kHz, 5373 kHz and 5405 kHz. The RAC stated that the use of these frequencies would allow for more reliable communications during emergency operations. The RAC indicated that the propagation characteristics in the 5 MHz frequency range allow for both local and interprovincial communications.

The RAC highlighted that the U.S. amateur radio community has access to these frequencies and that harmonizing frequency use would allow Canadian radio amateurs to conduct regional emergency communications on a coordinated basis with U.S. radio amateurs. The RAC noted that many administrations around the world have authorized radio amateurs to use the frequency 5405 kHz.

The RAC also requested the use of two additional frequencies, 5319 kHz and 5329 kHz, for Canadian domestic use. After conducting a review of domestic and international use of the frequency 5319 kHz, Industry Canada determined that this frequency is unavailable for use by the amateur radio service in Canada.

This consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the use of six frequencies in the 5 MHz band by the amateur radio service and the associated technical rules for these frequencies.

Submitting comments

Respondents are requested to submit their comments in electronic format (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF) to the following email address: spectrum.engineering@ic.gc.ca, along with a note specifying the software, version number and operating system used.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Manager, Mobile Systems, Industry Canada, 300 Slater Street, 19th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C8.

All submissions should cite the Canada Gazette, Part Ⅰ, the publication date, the title and the notice reference number (SMSE-010-12). To ensure consideration, parties should submit their comments no later than 30 days after the date of publication (June 12, 2012). Soon after the close of the comment period, all comments received will be posted on Industry Canada’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

Obtaining copies

Copies of this notice and of documents referred to herein are available electronically on Industry Canada’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

Official versions of Canada Gazette notices can be viewed at www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/index-eng.html. Printed copies of the Canada Gazette can be ordered by telephoning the sales counter of Publishing and Depository Services at 613-941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943.

May 4, 2012

MARC DUPUIS
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

Edit from Paul: - the actual notice requesting comment is here:
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10381.html