[AMRadio] Anti-AM Comment Posted

[Donald Chester]

COPIED FROM POSTED FILINGS RE DOCKET 02-98 ON THE FCC WEBSITE:


I truly appreciate the latest allocations offered in this NPRM. I
have always hoped we could find a spot in the VLF portion of the
spectrum for experimentation.
In the case of the 5.25 to 5.4 mhz band, I would ask that the lower
end, 5.25 to 5.3 mhz be allocated to weak signal and CW emissions
to allow further use of the unique propagation available, with SSB
phone and digital users above.
I would like to see a 200 watt power limit applied
to ALL modes across the new band.
Use of AM (double sideband with carrier) should be limited or not
allowed due to the wideband nature of those signals and seemingly
concurent spatter and spurious emissions. AM has outlived its
usefulness and I belive, has no place on today's crowed phone bands.
Or, as a compromise, enforce some sort of bandwidth limitation that
would require a total signal width equal to that of a properly
adjusted Single Sideband transmision, as was done in the past
with Narrow Band FM. A 3 khz total bandwidth standard could be
effective, and would certainly reduce the tendency of AM signals
to occupy a large amount of band space with a small number of
users. Maximum enjoyment for the largest number of amateurs
is hardly compatable with presence of 6-10 khz wide AM signals
on the new band. While I understand the AM group to be a loud and
prolific comment source, I dont feel they represent a sufficiently
large portion of the Amateur Radio resource. Therefore, keeping
AM in it's present spectrum seems in order.
As an active member of the Army Mars Program, we have used the 5 mhz
spectrum successfully with digital modes, and been pleased with it's
ability to carry excellent signals over long distances. I feel the
digital modes should be authorized also. With the narrow band
modulation schemes now available, many signals can use a small bit
of spectrum, much like CW.
Perhaps access to the new band could be limited to General Class and
above, providing a bit of incentive for new licensees to upgrade and
learn more about our great hobby.
Thank you
Doug Dunn, K7YD
Livingston, MT



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