"Chuck...K1KW" wrote in message
news:jJ2Pb.87250$Rc4.367239@attbi_s54...

And to really improve HF operations on ham radio...we must get rid of the
archaic mode divisions on each band. I would like to see us have the same
privileges as the rest of the world's amateurs enjoy....or are we not good
enough???

73,
Chuck...K1KW

I think we need protection from ourselves. I think that way too many in the
US will not follow a voluntary band plan particularly in the heat of
contest. Keep in mind that with the exception of Japan, the US has more
amateurs than all the rest of the world combined and that world might find
it a bit of a nuisance if we did away with the splits and just had a band
plan like they do. The Japanese don't really figure in as so many of them
are inactive (their licenses are for a lifetime) or are limited to very low
power operations.

The only band where it is causes much inconvenience is the 40m band and that
is now, at last, on its way to being fixed. Last summer's international
treaty changes have directed the broadcasters to move out of 7.100 and 7.200
and that will become exclusively amateur. I forget the timing though but
it's just a few years. Perhaps in time, ITU regions 1 and 3 will have the
same extended 40m that we enjoy here in region 2.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE