[KYHAM] KEN Interference Issues

[Ron Dodson]

On this past Monday evening's Ky Emergency Net (KEN) operation on 
3.888 MHz. we suddenly started receiving complaints from AM 
operators that we were interfering with their portion of the 
band.  I knew it was possible years ago when we went there due to 
a shortage of choices at the time on which to locate the net. 
While I HAD expected to be asked to leave if a problem had 
developed in the first months following our move there several 
years ago, I had decided that their silence in the first 365 days 
and in all the months and years since meant that we had a home 
for the net and could indeed co-exist there during our extremely 
short periods of use.

Apparently, we are now a problem for whatever reason and wishing 
to keep the peace am redoubling the efforts we have already had 
ongoing before now to find a new frequency for our once per week 
30 or less minute net. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A PLACE IN THE GENERAL 
CLASS PORTION OF 75 METERS WHERE THERE IS AN OPEN PLACE OR A 
FREQUENCY WHERE WE COULD CO-EXIST WITH SOME OTHER GROUP, PLEASE 
ADVISE ME ASAP! For a number of reasons, 3960 is not an option.

In the interim of finding a new location, I am asking that the 
following procedures be instituted to try to minimize the problem.

Effective with the Monday, March 8, 2004 net, KEN will;

1.  Begin at 7:30 PM Eastern/6:30 PM Central time to hopefully 
reduce the effects of the band going long that has been occurring 
of late.

2.  Op's should tune UP from 3.888 from 1 to 3 khz and see where 
we can go to more separate ourselves from the 3.885 AM center 
frequency.  This of course will be dictated by band usage at the 
time and any other nets toward the 3890-92 region.

3. PLEASE, PLEASE, if you are one of the few with amps who come 
to KEN, set your amp on 'stand by' during our net. I know most of 
you use less than 100w pep anyway and many like myself do not 
even own an amp of any kind for HF, however, please, let's try to 
keep the discontent of the AM folks down as much as possible.

4. In an effort to further shorten the net, I will not read the 
monthly training on the air as I normally would.  It will be 
posted on the listservs I have access to, please distribute as 
needed otherwise. Our air time will be dedicated to the state 
storm warning drill on March 9 and anything I may have from state 
emergency management officials regarding the upcoming KyEM 
earthquake exercise for Area 1 of Western Ky later in the month. 
3.888 should not be an issue for the exercise as all op's will be 
in the daylight period whereby we can use our 40 meter freq and 
VHF/UHF for close in and leave 3.888 alone.

*** Lastly, please, DO NOT take any retaliatory action against 
the AM people or respond to any of those who may come back to 
throw carriers, make rude comments etc. like they did this past 
week.  Let's get on, do our affairs and get back off until we can 
find a better place to be.  ***

73,
Ron Dodson, KA4MAP
Ky Section Emergency Coordinator