[50mhz] Simplex below 51 Mhz

[Tim Hynde]

Tim,
Honestly 50.3 sounds a bit low in the band for FM on 50 MHz.
Chris, WB5ITT had some very cogent comments that really make
me wonder what the problem is with the radios that you have.
However, my basic concern is for spectrum use and retention.

50.3 would be a problem for all the reasons that Chris gave,
but there are still some problems when you move up the band a bit
Remember that filters are a lot bigger and often less selective,
 than comparable ones for 144 MHz.  Perhaps there needs to be some
thought given to a revised band plan for various modes in a way
that is compatible with many of the traditional operations that continue
today?
I don't have a band plan handy, but I wonder what is in it now?  It may tell
us that we are fine as we are! Aty least that the sense that I get from
Chris' comments!
73,
Gordon
w2ttt@att.com

Oh I agree with everything above, it is interesting though the comments
recieved. I'm with you 100% on the use it or loose it issues. As far as the
radios, BEFORE I drop the money on crystals I wanted to try to get it right,
it sounds Chris has had good success with his MVP conversion. The
information I recieved from very reliable sources and experienced employees
of commerical radio companies was that not all the MVP's would respond well
above 51 without getting more involved with the tuned circuits, so if I
didn't have to go there I wasn't going to.

The current band plan seems fine but it does call for all modes between 50.3
and .6 so if the general concensus is that there should be no FM there then
yes, perhaps we need to revisit the plan. I guess what I was really after
was more than who has what but is it really being used? The current band
plan also calls out for non-voice from .6 to .8, seems like 200KHz is
whole lot of band is there really THAT MUCH digital stuff going on, on 6? At
least here in Michigan from several receive sites I have heard NOTHING in
those portions of the band, with a good opening or not.

If the AM'ers camp out on .4 then whats happening from say .5 to .6? unless
there is something happening there it would seem that it shouldn't be a
problem for anyone.

Very interesting feedback from all,

Tim ka8ddz