[Lowfer] Last Season for Lowfers?

[Bob Roehrig]

On Mon, 8 Jul 2002, Les Rayburn wrote:

> I'm aware of many "off list" conversations and experiments already being
> conducted on the 136khz band in anticipation of our upcoming amateur
> allocation.
>
> Judging by the interest in this band, I expect a lot of current "lowfers" to
> switch their attention to the new band as soon as it becomes available.
> At least part of the lure is the prospect of two way QSO's which are
> virtually unheard of on the 160-190khz band.

I would agree with that - that the prospect of 2-way QSO's is much
greater. So far, it seems that on LF with a transmitter of 100 watts
or greater and a typical antenna, audible range is at least 100 miles,
maybe twice that if the band is quiet.

> This got me to thinking about a number of questions, regarding the impact of
> the new LF ham band:
>
> 1. With thousands of US hams having access to the band, with Japanese companies
> begin to include this band in their rigs next year?

I doubt it. Think of the tuned circuits that would have to be added to
accomodate the band. It took the mfrs a while to even add 160 meters
after the old LORAN A restrictions were dropped. I can see maybe some mfr
maybe coming out with a transverter, however.

> 2. Will small companies pop up to offer products just for LF and will
> current companies like LF Engineering take a larger role in offering
> their products to hams?

Could be. I'll bet that antennas will all be home brew though.

> 3. Will there be a significant loss of activity on 1750 meters as more hams
> move to 136khz?

I don't know what percentage of LFers are hams. But those that enjoy
beacon operation will stay where they are.

> 4. What will be the impact of new hams who are drawn to LF for the first
> time be?

I wouldn't think a great many newcomers will be all that enthused about
the LF spectrum. Especially since the band is so small and there is
significant effort involved to get up any type of decent antenna.

> 6. Will this be the "last season" for traditional widespread beacon
> operation on 160-190khz?

I doubt it.

                    73        Bob Roehrig        K9EUI
                    Aurora University Telecom/IS dept.
                    630-844-4898   broehrig@aurora.edu