[Elecraft] 80 m CW and Digital Operation

Tue Oct 17 14:22:52 EDT 2006

If the latest FCC FPRM holds with no changes, I think the 80 meter people will 
be in trouble.  So far on 80, we haven't had much of a "digital vs. CW"
conflict.  Most digital ops are above 3600 and most CW ops below 3600
generally speaking.  The RTTY people seem to operate the entire CW sub-band
during RTTY contests no matter what the "band plan" happens to be.
We should be mindful that a lot of the digital types using MFSK, PACTOR,
etc. modes, especially the "non CW" types tend to completely ignore CW QSO's
in whaever area they populate.  Some of it is ignorance of CW ops, some
of it is just being plain rude.
Some segregation is almost demanded if the CW/digital operations are combined
in a 100 khz. sub-band, no matter where it happens to be.  This is created by
the fact neither mode "user", in many instances, is able to 'decode' the other's
emission.  This will be even more especially true if the FCC acts favorably
on the elimination of Morse tests from the examinations!  Therefore some
seperation plan must be implemented. ARRL and other organizations will have
to do it as FCC couldn't be bothered as long as we stay within the amateur service
allocations!
As "obsolete" as some people think CW/Morse emissions are, now or in the future,
we must preserve a place for their use without other modes capable of jamming or 
over-riding CW due to wider bandwidths.  Certainly the trend is towards a lot
of the newer "GEE WHIZ" technology which requires a plethora of additional
equipment for their use.  QRP CW will probably be here for a very long time
and is extremely popular and still capable of serving as a system for emergency
backup communications when all the newer stuff fails.  (As happened after
the Katrina and Rita hurricanes when trunking systems, cellphone systems,
and other "hi tech" systems went down!)
Back some sensible plan for a place for different modes on the CW/digital
sub-band to keep interference from the modes at a minimum.

73,

Sandy W5TVW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J F" <phriendly1 at yahoo.com>
To: <dave at davesergeant.com>; "Elecraft Discussion List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 7:39 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] 80 m CW and Digital Operation

| I'm not sure how crowded the 75/80M SSB band is at any
| given time. I can speak on contest conditions on 80
| CW. Basically you have 3 major DX contests that will
| pack 80 CW: ARRL DX, CQ WW DX, CQ WPX (ARRL SS also
| packs the band on this side of the pond). DX is all
| over the lower 100 khz of 80, so the DX window in
| effect expands.
| 
| I think contest conditions in EU are probably worse
| than in NA. More major EU contests on more weekends,
| so there is a different set of concerns.
| 
| Smaller contests in the US (QSO Parties), tend to run
| in the 3530-3560 range. Although it can be busy, it's
| rare that it is insane.
| 
| You have a number of groups that use that area as
| well: FISTS, NAQCC, QRP to name a few. Most respect
| the other groups activities and everyone seems to get
| along just fine. They have been in this area for a
| long time. The area is refered to on many sites for CW
| and QRP enthusiasts. I think that should remain the
| case.
| 
| I've not heard much digital activity between
| 3500-3600. I have heard lots of jammers, invaders and
| general crud, particularly in the lower 25. No one
| seems to be able to police them...
| 
| Frankly, I don't see why folks can't coexist
| multi-mode with the changes. Of course, I tend to
| think most folks are decent and flexible. Gradual
| changes may happen, nets will stay or relocate as
| needed. Forcing the issue will drive some away from
| the hobby and cause bitterness in others, I don't see
| it as productive.
| 
| Also, I don't see how it can effectively be policed,
| even if mandatory changes were made. Peer pressure
| works, if everyone signs on. Intentional jamming is a
| big problem with many working on it, but in my 30
| years as a ham, it seems like it has remained the same
| or maybe become worse in some instances.
| 
| As to the increase in power on the WARC bands, I think
| it is a mistake. 30 and 17 (12 is quiet most of the
| time now) are almost as level a playing field as one
| can find. Even the folks with a modest station have a
| shot at rare DX. I guess I still like skill and luck
| versus brute force.
| 
| Sorry to take up the space with my ramblings...
| 
| Cheers,
| Julius
| n2wn
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