VHF-Low Explorer （1）

Published:2011/7/28 20:41:00 Author:Phyllis From:SeekIC

By Gert Barrs

A low-cost NBFM receiver for 68-88 MHz

This article, we hope, will have serious consequence. Not negative, mind you, because apart from enabling beginners to experience the thrill of picking up radio traffic in a generally neglected band, the arrival of this inexpensive 4-m receiver should help to get the IARU section of the 4-m band released to radio amateurs countries all over the world in due course.

For many decades the UK has been home to the 4-m amateur radio band, also known as ’70 MHz’, and the IARU-approved band plan shown in Figure 1 is on the wall in many a radio shack up and down the country. So far, only a few other countries including Ireland, Denmark and — quite recently — Croatia have followed suit by releasing the frequency range between 70.000 and 70.5000 MHz for use by licensed radio amateurs. Unfortunately, in many other countries the relevant frequency range is in use by government or military services which need to have a few arms twisted (pun intended) before they move out. Although it is too early to say whether or not the arrival of new communication systems like Tetra, C2000 and Astrid on the European Continent and elsewhere will free up the 70 MHz band to amateurs, there can be no harm in increasing the pressure on various national radio regulatory authorities to do the necessary paperwork. At least in Holland and Poland, the word is out that amateurs are ’interested’ in the 70 MHz band. Let’s hope the pressure rises as the 4-m band is fantastic for VHF DX-ing. Elektor Electronics being an international publication, we will gladly assist in spreading the word in as many countries as possible.




The author: Gert Boors (42) has been active in electronics from a young age. In 1988 he graduated in electronics at the Polytechnic of Alkmoar in the NetheHands. Gert’s main interest is RF electronics, but also software and digital hardware. He has had over 20 projects published in this magazine since 1997, including the successful Airband Receiver, the 20-m Band Receiver and the DDS RF Signal Generator. In the future, Gert hopes to write about Atmel micros in control of RF equipment, and possibly the design of a UHF sweep generator.

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