European 70 MHz band questions

In reply to KD9KC:

http://www.70mhz.org/ is a good place to start.
UK Bandplan http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm
Norway Bandplan http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_la.htm
Danish Bandplan http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_oz.htm
Portugal Bandplan http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_ct.htm
Estonia Bandplan http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_es.htm

Most activity in the UK is FM using modified ex-pmr gear 70.350-70.500 with 12.5kc spacing. There is still a small amount of AM activity centred around 70.260. When the bands open up or there is a contest on most activity tends to be SSB with the majority using home built transverters. Cross-band contacts with countries without 4m are usually made using the 6m band. Fairly popular amongst SOTA activators are the Wouxun 699E 4m handies usually with a J-pole or Slim-Jim made from 300 ohm ribbon cable.

Steve GW7AAV

In reply to KD9KC:

I would say it is quite likely that some people would be interested in a lightweight portable 2-element Yagi for 70 MHz. Personally I would not be taking one up any hills for SOTA because I would have to dump something else to take it. I take an FT-857D for HF, a Wouxun for 4M, an Icom IC-12E for 23cms and a 2m/70cms handheld. I have a linked dipole for 80/60/40/20/10 metres, halfwave end fed wire verticals for 6&4m , J-pole and Sotabeam for 2m and I usually just use the rubber ducks for 70&23cm, but I have taken beams in the past. A beam for 4m might be fun but it would also be the last straw. However some people only do one or two bands and if there is a 4m contest on it would be the thing to take, then there is the backpack contesters. I am sure there would be loads of interest.

73 Steve GW7AAV