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FCC adopted rules to allow Amateur Radio operators access to two "long wave" bands, termed by ARRL as 630 and 2200 meters, in late March. 

The new allocations are 472 to 479 kHz (630 meters) and 135.7 to 137.8 kHz. (2200 meters).  

There are restrictions and conditions. These are secondary allocations meaning that hams must yield to Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems that are primary users.

While maximum ERP power limits seem very low, practical antennas are very inefficient.  A basic dipole is hundreds of feet long. Increased power output is allowed (up to the 1500 watt maximum) to overcome antenna limitations.

Hams operating on 472-479 kHz are permitted a maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) of 5 W, with a reduced limit in Alaska.

Amateurs operating in the 135.7-137.8 kHz band can run up to 1 W EIRP.

No mobile operation is allowed and a 1-kilometer separation distance between radio amateurs using the two new bands and electric power transmission lines using PLC systems on those bands is required

To ensure the required separation, there is a notification requirement before a ham may begin operation.  There is also a 60-meter (above ground level) height limit on transmitting antennas for both bands.  This is about 200 feet.

Operators must notify the Utilities Technology Council (UTC) of intended operation by submitting their call signs, intended band(s) of operation, and the coordinates of their antenna's fixed location. The new rules do not permit any mobile operation.

Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after a 30-day period, unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is within 1 kilometer of Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems operating on the same or overlapping frequencies.

General class and higher licensees may use these bands and permissible modes are CW, RTTY, data, phone, and image. Automatically-controlled stations are allowed. 

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MORE ON THE NEW BANDS

CQ Amateur Radio magazine debuted a new column, Ham Radio Below 500 kHz. in its April edition. CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, wrote that 630 and 2200 meters are the "first-ever amateur radio allocations at wavelengths above 200 meters." (below 1500 kHz).

John Langridge, KB5NJD writes the column and among the points that he stresses in his first installment are:

**Considerable varied activity exists presently below 500 kHz.  In Feb. 2012, a World Radiocommunications Conference authorized worldwide secondary amateur allocations for the two new bands.  Several countries already allow hams to operate. In Europe, especially, activity is plentiful.

**In the U.S., some have received special temporary permission from FCC to experiment below 500 kHz as far back as the 1960s.

**Until manufacturers respond, homebrewing/modifying skills for antennas, matching systems and amplifiers for these lower frequencies will be required to operate effectively.  Hams who like challenges will be attracted. 

**630 meter propagation is somewhat similar to 160 meters. A quiet location with minimal man-made noise is important; nighttime is better than daytime and winter is better than summer.

**Noise will be a much bigger factor on 2200 meters.  Many appliances, including some televisions, generate interference.

**Narrow bandwidth transmissions will be necessary to allow efficient usage and keep signal-to-noise ratios reasonable.

**Distance ranges on 2200 meters of several hundred to several thousand miles are possible.  Receiving signals will be a bigger challenge than transmitting there due to noise.

CQ publishes both a digital and printed edition each month.  It contains varied columns on topics of interest to most operators. See www.cq-amateur-radio.com to subscribe.