Marami pa rin ang gumagamit ng amateur radio, especially in the 2 metre band. I have still my radio scanner (a 1,000 channel Radio Shack Dual Trunking receiver) a Realitstic brand AM/FM SSB shortwave receiver, CB Radios, and other communications equipments (I love collecting radios!)
Searching through the bands, here's what I've found our locally (Manila)
40 meter band (7 Mhz USB, HF, Shortwave) -- about 30% of the population uses this band for amateur and commercial purposes. Few groups still exists such as Dekada 40, PARA (Philippine Amateur Radio Association), etc. This was also shared by some businesses, military, and unregistered users such as small fishing boats. I'm using a dipole wire antenna in receiving shortwave signals.
21 Mhz Amateur LSB, HF Shortwave: I spotted few Filipinos in this band contacting several amateurs worldwide. The band usually opens 7 pm onwards, depending on the propagation.
27 Mhz, Citizens Band: Only few use this band. If you can catch a conversation, it is usually in Single Sidebans (SSB) mode. But I'm hearing Canadians talking at channel 11 recently from 3 pm until early evening, though I never tried modulating with them because I have no CB antenna at the moment (I swithched antenna for both CB Radio and my HF receiver, but it wasn't tuned for transmitting on 27 Mhz.
40 Mhz Band (6 Meter Band): None uses at the moment.
2 Meter Bands: Here are the vast majority of radio users, both registered and unregistered for both commercial and amateur bands. Users for this band range from all ages and walks of life. Kahit bata pweden magradyo! Meron pa ding civic action groups sa band na ito tulad ng Kabalikat Civicom, React International, Some loose communications group, etc. Kumpara sa celfone, libre kase ang communication mode na ito at accessible sa lahat. All you need is to have a vhf radio, from 140 Mhz - 150 Mhz, either portable handhelds, or a base/ mobile station with reasonable rooftop antenna. I love this band at hindi ko ipagpapalit ito sa kahit na anong amateur bands!
440 Mhz (70 cm band): Wala nang amateur dito. This band is usually used for commercial-business purposes, and private communications (residential). Meron pa ding gumagamit nito for public service tulad ng DZAR angel Radio (sorry, I cannot give you the frequency), and I thing Metrobase (MMDA).
462 Mhz/ 467 Mhz, The new FAMILY RADIO SERVICE (FRS): Marketing wise, eto yung tinaguriang next CB Band, or UHF CB Band. This band was proposed by Radio Shack and I guess, Motorola na naaprubahan ng FCC. The band was being shared by General Mobile Radio Services (GMRS) in which according to Federal Communications Commissions in the U.S. you need to have a license if you'll be transmitting in the newer Channel 16-22. But if you will be using the channel 1-14 band, it's okay. Radios for FRS are 50 milliwatt in range, and no provision for external antennas. Sabi nila, mura daw, pero based on our standards, mahal pa din (P1,500 to P5,000 price range). And unfrotunately, due to it's short range, hindi gaanong sumikat sa general consumers ang FRS dito sa Pilipinas. Majority of the users for this band are businesses and security agencies which are constricted to small office areas, just to keep in touch with the employees within the building. I have my FRS radios bought 2nd hand (one bought at surplus for as low as P35.00! Akala ng sales, laruan ng bata, hehe.. I'm keeping my FRS radios for experimental purposes (ie: for aligning my scanner receivers, rebroadcasting my mp3 around the house, and some other uses).
I hope this helps answers your questions...
MANNY DE GUZMAN, JR.
SoundMagik Home Studio
Site Creator, Teen Models 2007
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Thank you so much, and I hope Amateur Radio ever lives!
February 28, 2008, 09:41:03 AM
