With the amendment of the Frequency Utilisation Ordinance (Frequenznutzungsverordnung, FNV), published on 13 March 2023 as BGBl. II No. 61/2023, the amateur radio frequency allocations in Austria were fundamentally reorganised. The former Annex 2 of the Amateur Radio Ordinance was dropped – all frequency assignments are now consolidated in Annex 4 of the Frequency Utilisation Ordinance. This results in several important changes to frequency ranges, power levels and allocation status.
High Power (1 KW) on the HF Bands
For radio amateurs holding a Class 1 licence, an increased transmit power of 1,000 watts (High Power) can now be applied for on the HF bands 80m, 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m. Requirement: at least one year of interference-free operation at the licensed location. The monthly fee for power level D is EUR 6.54.
Key Changes in Detail
160-Metre Band (1810–2000 kHz)
- 1810–1850 kHz: Amateur radio now has primary status, max. 200 W (power level B or C)
- 1850–2000 kHz: Secondary status, max. 100 W – the band was extended from 1950 to 2000 kHz
40-Metre Band (7000–7200 kHz)
The previous power restriction of only 200 W in the 7100–7200 kHz range has been removed. The entire 40m band now has primary status and is cleared for High Power (1 KW).
30-Metre Band (10100–10150 kHz)
No changes here: still secondary status and max. 200 W (power level B or C). No High Power available.
6-Metre Band (50–54 MHz)
- 50.0–50.5 MHz: Primary status, max. 200 W
- 50.5–52.0 MHz: Secondary status, max. 200 W
- 52–54 MHz: New! Secondary status, max. 100 W – temporary allocation for research and development projects (WRAN) with max. 2 MHz bandwidth
2-Metre Band and 70-cm Band
On the 70-cm band (430–439.1 MHz), High Power up to 1 KW is now permitted – as already on 2m – but exclusively for EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) and meteor scatter operation with directional antennas of at least 15 dBd gain.
23-cm Band (1240–1300 MHz) – Severe Restriction
The 23-cm band has been retained, but power was drastically reduced to protect GNSS (Galileo):
- Only 10 watts permitted (previously max. 200 W)
- Emissions limited to max. 16 kHz bandwidth
- Repeaters exceeding 16 kHz bandwidth had to cease operation by 31 December 2024
Higher VHF/UHF Bands
- All higher VHF/UHF bands now max. 200 W for Class 1 (previously partly only 100 W)
- Exception 10 GHz (10.368–10.370 GHz): max. 40 dBW EIRP
- 24 GHz: Amateur radio now has only secondary status
Sources and Further Links
- BGBl. II No. 61/2023 – Full text in RIS
- Fernmeldebüro: High Power Information
- ÖVSV: New Frequency Utilisation Ordinance in Force
Compiled by OE3FJS, ADL 302. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For binding information, the currently valid version of the Frequency Utilisation Ordinance in the Austrian Legal Information System (RIS) is authoritative.
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