wrote in message
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Dan/W4NTI wrote:
wrote in message
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Dan/W4NTI wrote:
Even today....well actually for
many years....the 80 meter band is a classic example of wasted
space.
Mostly dead air in the "CW" allocations. In particular from
3.5 to 3.6.

I think you meant "3.6 to 3.7"

No I didn't....I don't consider 5 CW stations in 100 KC
over use of a
segement. Or should I say "Use of a segement".
Nets are there for sure,
but not for long. Then the band is dead again.

Lots of open space from 3.6 to 3.750 if you want to be open
minded on this
subject.

All of 80 meters is open to digital modes. You know, the
modes all those new, young, modern hams are going to use
when Element 1 goes away.

If there's so much room, then what's the problem making
3500 to 3575 Morse Code only?

Because we don't use it now. 25 on the bottom of all bands is
plenty IF it is CW exclusive to ALL classes.

Is 80 meters full of digital signals? Or is it equally underused
by those modes as well?


80/75 is a seasonal band, as is 160. Summertime activity of any kind is
quite low. With the exception of SSB. It is always full up. At least in 4
land anyway.

Digital is indeed increasing, but so far are staying above 3575. On
occassion I am QRMed from them on the Alabama net, 3575. But they move
when they hear activity...to their credit.

40 is another case and it is gonna be real tough to put that
mess straight..
hi.

Not really. The mess is due to the rest of the world wanting
7100-7300 for SWBC. That's going away, even as we speak, and
more and more of the rest of the world is letting their hams
have 7100-7200. Eventually 7000-7300 will be worldwide
exclusive amateur.

So what's the problem with 7000-7050 being Morse Code only?

See above

The band is 300 kHz wide. 50 kHz is 16%. There are plenty of
times - noncontest times - when 40 is one Morse Code signal
after another from 7000 to 7050. And that's with cascaded
8 pole 500 Hz filters in the rx.


40 meters is a butchered band. And yes I know that changes are FINALLY on
the way. Perhaps when it is a exclusive Amateur allocation (at least for
Region 1 and 2) things will improve. But for now it is a complete mess.

It is indeed a active band, for all modes. In reality it needs expanded to
7.5 or so. But that will never happen.

20/15/10 could all use some "CW Trimming" today.

Let's cut to the chase. It's about more room for 'phone and
less for Morse Code and digital modes. Some folks talk big
about "new directions" and "modernization" and "fresh ideas",
but what they really mean is more bandspace for SSB.

Is that what is best? More room for SSB and AM, less for
CW and digital modes?


I don't know what is "best". I would just like to see a clean spot for CW
only. That is a personal choice, nothing more. Whether I get it is
another story.

I still like my suggestion......bottom 25 of ALL HF bands....CW
ONLY. No
digital, etc. That way those that want can.

Those that don't.....won't.

The trouble is that it will take an Extra to get down there.

No it won't. Drop the Extra only and be done with that Dinosaur.

FCC won't go for that. Read the NPRM - they specifically state that
they think 3 license classes is the right number, and that we'll
get to three classes by attrition. They specifically denied
auto-upgrades, new entry level licenses, etc.


Then only extra's do CW. I have no solution for that. If the FCC don't
want it, it won't happen.

They also said that more frequencies was the best incentive.


The FCC has NO IDEA what is good for Ham radio. Nor do they give a RIP.


Dan/W4NTI