running dogg wrote:
I think the problem with channel 1 had something to do with skywave
interference-channel 1 easily bounced off the ionosphere and caused
interference in the form of one channel 1 station interfering with
another one a thousand miles away.

Among other reasons. Channel 1 was designated as a "community channel";
stations operating on this channel were limited in power. *All* the TV
channels were shared with other two-way services - the sharing didn't
work very well, and it started at the bottom end of the spectrum - i.e.,
in channel 1.

I don't think any channel 1 stations ever actually operated, but at
least one (in Riverside, California) did receive a permit.

by Hallicrafters. I believe there is a Channel 0 in Australia-can
anybody confirm this?

There is. http://www.w9wi.com/articles/system.htm#systemd.htm , it's at
45-52MHz. My information is that channel 0 is being phased out, if it
hasn't already been deleted. Australia also has a channel 1, but it's
56-63MHz, roughly equivalent to channel 2 in the U.S.

In general, channel numbers outside the Americas correspond to different
frequencies than what we use here.
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com