[CW] ARRL Seeks Input for New IARU Region 2 Band Plan

[sbjohnston at aol.com]

Remember in 2007- 2008 when the ARRL backed down from
their attempt to get FCC regulation by bandwidth?

At that time we heard a League official state
that "we needn't expect a further effort by the ARRL to get
bandwidth controls into FCC rules for at least two years - not
until the League had a chance to "educate" the members
and other amateurs on the matter and "get them on-board".

Now in early 2010 that amount of time has passed and the
IARU plan is under review - interesting.

Here's what I wrote as feedback on the Region 2 bandplan.

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ARRL -  Feedback on IARU Region 2 bandplan

The actual need for bandplans has not been established, but if we
accept that one is desired, a bandplan should recommend *modes* for
segments, not signal bandwidths.  Most hams know what mode they are
running, but few really know the bandwidths involved.

Very few hams have the knowledge, skills, or test equipment to measure
occupied bandwidth anyway, so its use in a bandplan is a meaningless
standard.  The common practice of tuning a communications receiver
across a signal is NOT how to measure occupied bandwidth and
will produce misleading results.

The present Region 2 bandplan's bandwidth limitation to 2700 Hz in most
phone and image segments is especially inappropriate.  It unnecessarily
excludes some modes, particularly the DSB AM mode which is growing in
popularity.  I am VERY much against such limits - tight regulation and
restrictions like these goes completely against the experimental and
innovative aspects of ham radio.

I feel we need no such plans restricting operation by bandwidth.
Bandplans like this have a history of increasing the stress among
amateurs with arguments and finger-pointing.  I think it is vital to
avoid tight restriction and limitation which could hinder our future
options.  We should err on the side of flexibility and less
restrictions, rather than more and tighter controls that eliminate
future choices.  If we are to remain viable as an organized hobby we've
got to be open to a wide variety of modes, both old and new.

Steve Johnston, WD8DAS

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Steve WD8DAS

sbjohnston at aol.com
http://www.wd8das.net/
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