4 Metre band discussion...

If you want to discuss anything about the 4 metre band, or your 4 metre band radio equipment, or your 4 metre band antennas, please post your messages here.
73
Alf (G7VGG)

You can find a link to the 4 metre band website in my favorite links section.
73
Alf (G7VGG)

The SSB calling frequency is 70.200 and use of horizontal polarisation is highly encouraged for SSB QSO's as most 4m SSB DX'rs use horizontal Yagi beam antennas.
If you think a 4m Yagi is too big for your QTH or you dont like the idea of using a directional antenna you can always consider a Halo or better still, a Cloverleaf/Big Wheel antenna.
There are beacons on 4m but they all use horizontal polarisation so they are really only there for the benefit of 4m SSB users.
The FM calling frequency is 70.450, and just as with 2m and 70cms, vertical polarisation is the morm for FM QSO's.
There are no repeaters on 4m and there are no plans for any in the future either. Even if it is technically possible given the small frequency allocation given to Hams on 4m, there is widespread opposition against repeater use on the band, at least amongst UK users.
Access to the band is limited by the availabilty of 4m Transceivers or 4m Transverters.
Converted "low band" PMR radios can often be found at inexpensive prices on ebay and are the quickest, easiest and often cheapest way to gain access to the 4m band, even if they only offer FM. Most of the latter radios offer 25 Watts out on 4m, which is normally sufficient for FM DX work, depending on the prevailing propogation conditions, and on the spec and location of your antenna.
The UK spec Yaesu FT-847 is the only Japanese made multiband/multimode Ham radio Transceiver to offer 4m as standard. It offers all mode access to 4m and once the ultra simple PA10 4m/6m PA improvement mod is performed, it offers 85 Watts out on 4m.
The FT-847 receiver is'nt that sensitive on 4m though so use of an 4m preamp is recommended.
Its also not a cheap radio to buy so unless you have money to burn or you just cant live without the facility to use SSB or CW on 4m, then a converted low band PMR Transceiver is probably a better option for most.
73
Alf.