[Hallicrafters] 5 MHZ

[w5htw at att.net]

I think a lot of us are going to be "lurkers" - listeners only, on 5 MHZ.  I do
plan to listen, and I did modify my Icom 706 just in case, but I doubt I'll ever
find a reason to do more than listen.  

The channels are, as far as ham radio is concerned, primarily ARES anyway.  They
sort of duplicate what the Alaskan emergency 5 MHZ channel has done for several
years - provide moderate-haul operations at night.  

It definitely is not a rag chew 'band,' and probably less than (off the top of
my head!) 2 percent of hams can safely use it and stay within the requirements.
 As noted, the majority of hams today are very limited with technical abilities
and definitely not up to accurately measuring bandwidth, precise frequency, and
ERP, even though probably 50 percent of those who are not technical experts
'think' they are.  And they are the ones who, if they get on there, will cost us
the operation anyway.  

I do look forward to listening, to see if it goes smoothly.  I think the first
inclination hams will have is to run high power - it is our nature, (at least
for quite a few of us) and it is even more so the nature of the former/still
CBers who have joined our ranks and who were weaned on (not of) breaking the
rules, but, truthfully, we had enough hams without them who will do the same
thing.   

Aside from that the band is going to be basically useless for any sort of
ordinary amateur radio use.  I don't think we'll see a huge flock of guys and
gals getting on there, as they will recognize the limitations.  

As an ARES frequency, it may go quite well.  Otherwise, I think it is pretty
safe to ignore it. 

73
Ed

--
Ed Brooks, W5HTW
http://w5htw.home.att.net/index.html
Active since June 1956 Extra since
Jan 1970