[AMRadio] Usages of AM in the amateur context

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 11:20 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:
> Back when FCC opened > 3600 to phone I went through a period wondering
> whether to call it 80 or 75.  All my ham life to-date 80 m. meant CW to me
> and 75 m. meant phone.  I finally decided if it's phone anywhere between
> 3500 and 4000 it's 75 m.  it's funny isn't it, but anyway, one of the guys
> last night said there was a lot of activity on 3700 now, Don KYV there and a
> few others.  I said every time I take the trouble to QSY down there I get
> nuthin.  (Nuthin is less than nothing.)  But now, I might give it a try
> again.

3750 and down figures into the 80m portion, above that it moves toward
75. Of course, anyone is free to call it whatever they want based on
mode, favorite color, or moon phase. (o: Some of the guys have taken
to calling it the "160m portion of 75/80m band" due to the more
relaxed and courteous operating style. It's far less crowded, too.

Two things affect operation down there (or anywhere else for me: time
and wx. We had strong storm warnings for last night that never
materialized. But the day before when wx was better, we had a good
group on 3705 mid day with another group up on 3716. Static went from
sporadic to non-stop as the day went on, so no one returned later. A
week before I was able to hear old friends Tim VE6PG and Al VE3AJM
down here in NC on their 3725 hang out. Both were 20 over or more.

The amount of activity will vary geographically of course as well as
propagation, meaning you might not hear us out in the mid-west even
though there's a lot of activity. My observation has been the most
activity seems to be in the northeast, followed by 8 Land, 4 Land, 5
Land, and 9 Land. There are no doubt plenty of groups out there
running 100 watts or less who I just don't hear.

Take a listen later today, Rob. Johnny is back from SV Land for a
while, so he'll be winding up his GPT-750 every chance he gets before
returning. We'll be down there making some noise with the big rigs.

~ Todd/KAQ