[CW] Fw: 3600-3700 frequencies

[David Ring]

Hello Chester,

What you say is very true, but I believe you have forgotten one thing:  The
frequencies from 3605 to 3635 (or so) were the RTTY population played!

After the "Extra"-fication of the band, the RTTY guys slipped down to the
3570 kHz to 3600 kHz area, which pushed down the activity of the CW
operators to 3530 to 3570 kHz - a scant 40 kHz.  The 3500 to 3520 kHz band
is "DX" and you will get some comments if you operate that low - from 3525
to 3530 kHz while open for regular QSOs is often populated by FOC (their
watering hole is 25 kHz up from the bottom of the band) and the QRQ Morse
guys.

Most years even this squeeze would be only "inconvenient" but with the low
sunspot activity, it is the only easily accessed band that a station can use
to communicate with national stations.  160 meters is often better, but some
equipment doesn't cover that band (some old stuff mostly) and the
requirements for antenna are twice that in length and height as for 80
meters for the same performance.

I'd love to see CW/RTTY have 3500 to 3700 - I think that is an excellent
bandplan - but the FCC has spoken.

With the change in testing practices (published questions and exact answers)
and the removal of Advanced, the goalpost of "Incentive licensing" has been
moved to some place that in my opinion is illogical.  I'd rather have
"General" be the 1960s test and have them receive all privledges!

73

DR
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