On March 29, 2017, the Commission adopted rules permitting fixed amateur radio operations in 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meter) and 472-479 kHz (630 meter) bands. These bands are allocated to the amateur radio service on a secondary basis.

1 The Commission adopted a minimum horizontal separation distance of one kilometer from power line carrier (PLC) systems, which operate in the 9-490 kHz range.
2 Amateur operators must notify the Utilities Technology Council (UTC), which maintains a database of PLC systems, of their intent to operate in the 135.7-137.8 kHz and/or 472-479 kHz bands prior to commencing operations.
3 These rules become effective on September 15, 2017, after approval of the information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This Public Notice sets forth the procedure for notifying UTC of planned operations.

Amateur licensees planning to operate in the 135.7-137.8 kHz and/or 472-479 kHz bands must use the online form at http://utc.org/plc-database-amateur-notification-process/ to provide their contact information, including the operator’s name, email address, and telephone number; technical information, including the call sign, intended frequency(ies) or band(s) of operation, and geographic coordinates of the antenna location; and date of notification. UTC will respond via email regarding whether the proposed site is within one kilometer of a PLC system operating in the same or overlapping frequencies, and will request that the amateur operator acknowledge receipt of the response. UTC may telephone amateur operators from whom no acknowledgment is received.

Amateur operators may commence operations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz and/or 472-479 kHz bands if UTC does not respond within 30 days, or if UTC responds sooner that the proposed site is not within one kilometer of a PLC system operating in the same or overlapping frequencies.4 They may not commence operations in the 135.7-137.8 kHz and/or 472-479 kHz bands if UTC responds that the proposed site is within one kilometer of a PLC system operating in the same or overlapping frequencies, but they may submit a notification to propose a different site.