[Lowfer] It's time that everyone hears this...

[John Davis]

Yes, I reckon it IS time for everyone to hear this.  Condensation for
benefit of the group:  Basically, the WC2XSR experimental license granted by
the FCC on December 7, 2001, after amendment to withdraw the MF frequencies
previously authorized, gives 36 ham stations the privilege of zapping a 6kHz
wide segment centered on 166.5kHz with 400W TPO and/or 200W ERP.  (This is
more than some of the high-power NDBs actually radiate).

And apparently they want more of the band than that!  (See Mike's detailed
response to me, below.)

SHMRG is formally known as The 600 Meter Research Group.  As type of
applicant, it is not listed on the application as a corporation, nor even an
association, which would at least imply formal bylaws and structure.
Organizationally, it is apparently simply a group of individuals;
ironically, not unlike the LWCA itself.

I don't mean to be cynical about this, but with so many hams and groups of
hams applying here under Part 5, rather than working for a grant of
privileges under Part 97, a better name might be "Sooners."  Worried what
hams running 2W ERP might do to present day QRP activities?  Think what up
to 200W will do!

Mike, I am glad that you are personally committed to running only the power
necessary to do the job.

But I am greatly puzzled why even more bandwidth would possibly be needed in
this segment to meet the objectives of the experimental program as
represented to the FCC (development of improved low SNR communication
techniques; development of more efficient, smaller, and/or "field expedient"
antennas; testing of feasibilty of providing emergency communications in the
range of 50-200 miles)?  In addition, this all sounds very much like what
would happen under a ham allocation anyway.

I'm puzzled, given the capabilities this license affords, why you would use
it to engage in beacon operation very much like we have now, except without
the antenna limitation?  Doesn't this come across more as pre-allocation ham
band activity than an ORGANIZED developmental/research program normally
expected of a Part 5 licensee?  And why LowFER-like calls ("RW" and "WE,"
for instance) with these beacons?  Doesn't Part 5 require you to at least
periodically identify with the call letters assigned by the FCC???

And finally, I'm not clear how communication between a licensed service (you
all) and an unlicensed service (the rest of us) would further the
experimental objectives, even in the unlikely event it is ever allowed.

Would it not simply be better to press for a full-fledged ham allocation and
be done with it?

Please pardon this barrage of questions, but I'm sure other folks will have
even more in the coming days.  Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

73,
John

--------------------------------------------------------

From: WE0H <we0h@core.com>
To: John Davis <longwave@mindspring.com>
Date: Sunday, January 06, 2002 12:47 AM
Subject: SHMRG...

Hi John,

I didn't think that most of the Lowfers knew anything about what is going on
the band as far as other groups and licensing. The SHMRG group is a group of
people who are all amateur operators and have the privilege for the next 5
years to operate on specific frequencies in the MW and LF bands with a
bandwidth of 6kc from center. The MW freqs are being changed right now so
that is irrelevant for now. The LF frequency that we have an allocation for
is 166.5kc. The group is asking for a wider band on 1750-meters, but staying
under 170kc. The antenna limits are only what the FAA imposes for the
stations near airports at a specified glide slope. Otherwise there is no
antenna limit at all. The power limit is 200w ERP. Yes, that is more than we
could afford to build an amp for, but that is what the FCC gave us. They are
working with the FCC now to allow Lowfer to SHMRG QSO's. I suggested that
the Lowfers would most likely want to work two-way in whatever mode. We
don't have any limit on modes either. I am working furiously with the group
to convince them the benefits of QRP and QRSS modes. Many are interested in
QRSS. Others and I have convinced the group that there is no need to have an
allocation above 170kc as the Lowfers need their space for QRP operation.
There is also talk of QRT times for the sake of the Lowfers. We have
listening only times on the MW bands for the sake of any emergency traffic
near 500kc. Just like the amateurs, we have the authority to communicate
with any other service for the purpose of an emergency. People still do use
500kc as was proven a couple of weeks ago. The group is open for any amateur
to participate in. I can forward the contact info for whoever wants to join.
It costs nothing. I think there is some or at least a couple of the Lowfer
members that are in the SHMRG group. It has been quiet until I spoke of it
tonight. Our administrator, Ken, said some nice words about the Lowfers
tonight, and I thought that it was appropriate that the Lowfers know how
much we appreciate their experimentation and discoveries. It appears that
this permit to operate QRO on 1750 is the beginning of an amateur
allocation. It appears now that there might be an allocation in the MW band
as well. This is good as far as antenna experimenting goes. Yes when it goes
amateur there will be the jerks and so forth, but I think that after seeing
how the non-Lowfer people are having a tough time figuring out how to get a
signal out, this will follow with the amateurs in keeping out the
non-serious jerks. Hopefully. I think I got it explained OK. Let me know
what you think. I was always fearful of letting the Lowfers know that I was
in with this group. My beacon will be on 166.5kc, QRSS, and 1-watt into the
feedline. The ID is WE. I will have the capability of CW with the keyboard
and QRO at 500 watts IF needed. I am not one for running any more than
necessary. I think 10 watts will be more than enough for cross-country QSO's
in CW.
Whew,
Mike>WE0H