[Elecraft] Elecraft Net Announcement

[VR2BrettGraham]

KD5ONS commented:

>     Every time I have looked for a band chart I have never found one that
>listed things like beacons nor where the data mode folks live.  So I am
>always leery of running too high in the bands.  As I was told in a note
>earlier today I should not run above where the CW folks and nets usually
>run.  But on contest days casual QSOs or nets are not allowed on the
>bands.  Seems rather harsh but contesters and DXers have priority over
>anything else.  If you could lead me to a chart showing where I can or
>cannot run a net I would appreciate it.

There are probably six weekends each year where the bands for one mode
will be busy from NA & last weekend was one of them.  A good place to
see when is:

http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/contestcal.html

Unlike much of the world, there are mode/frequency restrictions in USA.
This is combined with a form of band plan by the IARU member-society for
that country at:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/Hambands_bw.pdf

The IARU Region 2 band plan itself can be found at:

http://www.iaru-r2.org/hf_e.htm

Though it may be out of date (1998-10-02).

The Amateur Service is intended to be agile.  Note second paragraph at:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/conop.html

I worked a few casual, not-in-contest types last weekend, so it wasn't all that
bad, IMHO.  Nets are probably the least agile amateur activity, so perhaps
consideration should be given to identifying an alternative frequency folks can
try for those few days each year when things are busy, since apparently they
will have problems finding the net if it's a few kc away from the current 
suggested
one.  Outside perhaps CQ WW CW, things are pretty quiet >100 kc above the
band edge, it's legal up there, conforms with international band plans & is 
also
common amateur practice.

73, VR2BrettGraham