Hi gang,

I confirm the information related in my latest message regarding the use
of the 136 kHz band by French amateurs: the national table of
frequencies has been modified, but not the AMATEUR table of frequencies.

However, the ministry of telecommunications told me this morning, by
phone, that it's just a question of months, or maybe weeks.

Now the bad news:

At the time being, there is no official amateur service in France. The
latest regulations have been cancelled by the council of state. From now
on and until the new regulations are published, there are no examination
sessions and licence renewals for 2000 have been postponed.

Thanks to the CFRR, a confederation opposing our national IARU society
(the REF-Union), the actual regulations in place since May 1997, have
been cancelled and must be revised. The french authority has said this
morning: "French hams are now considered as CB enthusiasts and anyone
can use the ham bands in France without a licence to do what they want".

Hopefully, the situation will get back to normal in a couple of weeks.
Until then, beware of what you may hear on the air...

73, Mark, F6JSZ
Editor, French CQ

"'Geri' Kinzel, DK8KW" a *crit :

Hello LF-enthusiasts!

For those of you, who are not that fluent in French:

what this letter says is, that since December 31, 1999, France has the
authorization to use 135.7-137.8 kHz with 1 Watt ERP.

Welcome to the Club!

Best 73

Geri, DK8KW (W1KW)