[600MRG] Modes & Frequencies

[John Langridge]

Hi Gedas,

"I wonder why we don't just decide to dedicate a small block of
frequency for digital QSO use away from the stupid lid?  Seems like
there is space and not being used. There could be a dedicated slice
for beacons (WSPR etc) then a small section for just CW and then one
for digital QSO's like FST4-60. I guess there must be some reason it
has not happened. I just do not like the thought of possibly QRM'ing
someone who is running WSPR as I try to make a QSO."

There actually is a method to the madness.

WSPR was established where it is at long before there was an amateur
band in the US, in the center of the band.  That's a worldwide
passband so its difficult to move.    Digital QSO's sprang up in the
window immediately below WSPR because it was a convenient transition
for those working WSPR that wanted to make a rapid QSY for a QSO
without retuning, etc. This also helps the SDR guys who monitor
several different modes at the same time from a single reference dial
freqnency.

There is too much CW for a smaller section.  Its been a very
gratifying couple of years for CW QSO's and trying to pack more into a
smaller area is not practical without impacting what is already there.
We are already on top of one another.  Be sure to listen around as
there are a lot of guys that end up working split for one reason or
another.

As for space not being used, well, There is an active phone contingent
in the West that is trying to build steam to the east so that area
above 476 does have users, some that you may not be able to hear but
they are there and often.

If you have a clean signal, you are not going to QRM WSPR working a
digital QSO.  The biggest issue encountered seemed to be densely
packed regions where sometimes digital operators have to get on the
same TX/RX cycles so they do not de-sense one another.  Not much else
you can do about that short of better RX antennas and cooperation
between operators.

Take a few days to get comfortable with what is going on and it will
settle in.  Its changed quite a bit since you were last on the air and
there are quite a few more operators.

73,

John KB5NJD..