1 January 2013 heralded the end of the old experimental 500kHz band in the UK (though a few countries still have this allocation), and the start of the new band at 472-479kHz. Several countries have access to this band and more will follow this year. In the UK, it is necessary to have a Full Licence and to obtain a Notice of Variation (see this Ofcom page for details) before transmitting.
On New Year's Day there was much activity, mostly from Germans who have had the 472kHz band for several months, but also from UK stations who had migrated from 500kHz.
I received 472kHz CW from DF5QG (539), DJ5BV (539), DJ8WX (539), G0JXM (579), G3KEV (559), G3XIZ (599) and HB9ASB (569).
Also Opera4 from DG8RW, DJ5BV, G0NBD, G4WGT, PA3BHT and SM6BHZ (1011km and peaking an amazing +6dB S/N).
