US and Canadian radio amateurs and experimenters will join forces in February for the first Midwinter 630 Meter Activity Weekend. The event will get under way on February 6 at 0000 UTC (Friday, February 5, in US time zones) and run through 2359 UTC on February 7.

“This event is being undertaken because of the new and quickly growing interest in present 630 meter activities, both in the US and Canada,” said  ARRL 600 Meter Experimental Group (WD2XSH) Experiment Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR. “Much of the interest is in response to the strong likelihood of US amateurs receiving access to the band in the near future, while Canadian hams are eager to learn more about the present level of Amateur Radio activity on their newest ham band.” The activity weekend comes on the heels of a special event operation over the November 13-14 weekend that included participation by US and Canadian radio amateurs.and the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS).

Raab said the two activity nights will offer interested amateurs in both countries an opportunity to experience the 630 meter band and, through cross-band activity with Canadian amateurs, to take part in activity in the MF spectrum. “Our hope is to see this activity become an annual operating event, to be held very winter on the 630 meter band,” Raab said. “For those who may be building for future 630 meter operation, this event will provide an opportunity to test your ‘receive’ capabilities on MF.”

Operation will be from 472 kHz to 479kHz in various modes. The two-way crossband work will be undertaken by several Canadian stations, all on CW. Canadians will operate on a schedule and listen for callers on specific QSX frequencies in the US ham allocations.

VO1NA (Joe) GN37, Torbay, Newfoundland, will operate 2130-0130 on both nights plus a QRSS 12 WPM beacon 0130-1000 UTC, transmitting on 477.7 kHz, and listening for calls on 3562 kHz (QSX frequency).

VE7SL (Steve) CN88, Mayne Island, British Columbia, will operate 0200-0700 UTC on both nights, transmitting on 473.0 kHz, and listening for calls on 3566 kHz and 7066 kHz (QSX frequencies).

VE7BDQ (John) CN89, Delta, British Columbia, will operate 0330-0700 UTC on both nights, transmitting on 474 kHz, and listening for calls on 3555 kHz (QSX frequency).

VA7MM (Mark) CN89, Coquitlam, British Columbia, will operate 0500-0700 UTC on February 6 and 0400-0800 UTC on February 7, transmitting on 475.0 kHz, and listening for calls on 1801 kHz, 3574 kHz, and 7062 kHz (QSX frequencies).

VE7CNF (Toby) CN89, Burnaby, British Columbia, will operate 0300-0700 UTC on both nights on 476.5 kHz, listening for calls on 1836 kHz, 3558 kHz, and 7031 kHz (QSX frequencies).

VE3OT (Mitch) EN92, London, Ontario, will operate 0000-0400 on both nights, transmitting on 477.0 kHz, and listening on 3563 kHz and 7058 kHz.

Several US Experimental stations also will be in operation throughout the band, in two-way QSO mode with each other, using CW, PSK31, JT9, and QRSS modes. Some stations will also use WSPR and QRSS CW beacon modes.

“The success of this event largely depends upon the participation of as many amateurs as possible,” Raab said. “We hope that you can find a few hours to participate in this unique midwinter event.” Submit reception reports via e-mail to the respective operators or via the ARRL 600 Meter Experiment website.