[Elecraft] The Gentlemen's Band

[Edward R Cole]

Jim,

Same thing has happened on 2m eme.  The CW bunch debunk use of JT65 
for making contacts.  But it apparently is working so well that 95% 
of eme activity on 2m is digital with maybe two dozen CW operators 
left worldwide.  Before JT showed up in early 2000's eme activity was 
dropping off.  Now one can work 2m eme almost every day of the month 
with possibly 2,000+ stations worldwide.

It is 100% used on 6m-eme, and slowly gaining in popularity on higher bands.

For HF obviously digital is a small piece of the action, as it should 
be, since signals are frequently strong enough for CW or SSB.  But 
when prop drops the new digital modes will get thru.  With lower sun 
spot cycles forecast this will likely keep activity going when its 
difficult for CW/SSB.

Excellent articles in Oct. and Nov. QST explaining the various new 
digital modes.

As has happened every time a new mode gets a start there is the 
question of where in the band is best fits.  Time will sort that out.

I expect there will be much discussion on how the 630m band is used.

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
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