[Elecraft] ARRL Modified Regulations by Bandwidth Proposal

[Charles Greene]

Hi All,

In the September QST, there is an article that relates that the ARRL Board 
of Directors has approved the subject plan.  Details of the plan are at 
http://www.arrl.org/announce/bandwidth.html   As a QRP CW and PSK31 
operator I have a lot of problems with this plan.  The lowest frequency 
division, <200 Hz allows CW and low bandwidth digital operation like 
PSK31/63 and 60 baud RTTY.  For example, on 40 meters, it runs from the 
lower band edge up to 7035 Hz.  As the lower 25 Hz of the US allocation is 
reserved for Amateur Extra, other CW and narrow bandwidth digital 
operations are squeezed into 10 Khz and the US QRP calling frequency of 
7040 is excluded.  Other bands are somewhat similar.  The next division by 
frequency is <500 Hz which permits all wideband digital operation except 
Pactor III.  Granted, the lower bandwidth stations can operate in the 
higher bandwidth portions, but the division is heavily weighted toward 
mailbox stations using Pactor II.  The effect of this allocation are that 
semi-automatic mailbox stations using unattended Robot stations will 
continue to run roughshod over the PSK segments.  As the PSK segments are 
established by International Gentlemen's agreements, this proposal is of 
interest to the International community as well.

I have commented to my ARRL director, and am prepared to also comment to 
the FCC when the proposal is submitted.  The site 
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hteller/changes.htm contains some 
recommendations for changes to the bandwidth proposal and suggestions on 
what to do.

Thanks for your attention,

Chas,  W1CG