[Fists] re novice band spectrum

[ATanner283@aol.com]

Tom has some very good points that have been discussed at length on other 
reflectors. Part of our problem is just that. B.S. and hot air. The pressure 
is NOT put on ARRL, FCC, or manufacturers or anyone else to improve anything. 
Letters are not written, email not sent, etc etc. The problem, I feel, is not 
the loss of a few KHz of spectrum to phone, the big threat is that it is the 
start of something else. If they can "refarm"(stupid word) a little today 
with no opposition, then it will be more next time and more and more. And 
don't think for a minute it won't. Why do you think the Canadians have moved 
down into the bottom of the 40 meter phone band. It's NOT because they need 
the space. It's because they CAN.  Very few hams today will write or send 
email supporting or opposing anything. Unless it gets in their own pocket 
book. I will have to admit however that the nocode bunch had it together 
during the FCC window for comments on code reduction, while FISTS and others 
went virtually unrepresented. It may be true that if a few thousand FISTS 
would not have made a difference. But we will never know will we? The ARRL 
silently dropped the DX window from 160 meter band plans and not much was 
said until afterwards...Too late. I received my usual canned response from 
the Great Lakes Director. I have read comments from other division directors 
that were  just as bad. They have made up their minds before hand, just like 
going to a public meeting. They hear you out, kiss your baby, and tell you 
thanks, but the palms have been "greased." Time will tell I guess. By the 
way,.....WHERE are these hoards of new hams and upgrades we were supposed to 
see with the reduction of the code requirement??????? The majority I think, 
were old timers who didn't want to put out the effort to learn code 
proficiency. Heck, the QCWA even wanted to GIVE AWAY upgrades to OT's who 
didn't make the grade because they were "protesting." I get it. If I have to 
work at it, I will deprive myself to punish you, but later you should hand it 
to me.
See you on the air. I have been off for two weeks and have made scads of FIST 
contacts all over the world. Great fun.. Get on the air folks...........73  
Al/W8FAX                              
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