[CW] Code Stuff - like the CW bands!

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/6/08 5:33:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, n1ea at arrl.net 
writes:

> It sure is - but here's the problem.
> 
> When it became phone bands, it became Extra/Advanced bands - so even
> if you use lowly CW, you need a higher ticket.

So upgrade! All it takes for a General or Advanced to get an Extra nowadays 
is to pass the 50 question Extra written test. The entire Q&A pool is available 
free for the download, and interactive practice tests are available on 
several websites. 

The hardest part, IMHO, is getting to a VE session.
> 
> A General before this could use 3525 to 3725 kHz (the top of the 3675
> to 3725 Novice band).
> 
> Now the General has only 3525 to 3600 kHz CW bands - and the General
> section of the phone band which starts at 3800 kHz.
> 

Generals lost 125 kHz of CW/data bandspace on 80 but gained 50 kHz of 'phone 
bandspace. 


> So a General can't operate between 3600 and 3800 in ANY mode.
> 
That's an incentive to upgrade! Just pass Element 4 and get 3500-4000.

The current record youngest Extra earned that license at the age of seven 
years. So it seems like a rather reasonable requirement...

> An Advanced amateur can't operate between 3600 and 3700 kHz.
> 

Same thing. Why not go for the top license and have it all? 

> An Extra still can operate CW from 3500 to 4000 - but unlike before,
> the General hams LOST 3600 to 3725 as a continuous band for CW.
> 

I don't see any proposals or petitions from Generals complaining.

Sure, it would be great if FCC saw that giving 80% of 3.5 - 4 to 'phone was a 
mistake. But that's just not going to happen any time soon.

So the way forward is to ask why data can't be used in the 'phone subbands. 
Particularly the new wider data modes like Pactor III. It's not like the 'phone 
subbands are too narrow, or that data users are so few that they don't bother 
anyone.


> Back in 1967 Generals had 3500 to 4000 CW and 3800-4999 Phone.

I think you meant "4000" Phone.

And yes, they had the whole band - as did Advanceds and Extras. 

I remember getting full privileges in the fall of 1968 when I upgraded to 
Advanced, but then losing them a few weeks later (Nov 22, 1968) when the first 
wave of incentive licensing changes came into effect. No big deal - I just 
waited till the 2 years experience was up and got the Extra. 

> They've got the Phone band back after 40 years, but lost 150 kHz of CW
> frequencies!
> 
CW/data bandspace, not just CW. 

Y'all might want to take a look at RM-11392, as well.

73 de Jim, N2EY


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