[Lowfer] Re: last season...? (was temporarily 136Khz Emergency Communications)

[John Davis]

Les writes:
>Peter wanted to know why I think that most amateurs will leave 1750
>meters for 136khz when it becomes available:
>
>1. Many feel that beacons are a waste of time...(snip)
>2. Another group feels that nothing significant is being done with
>weak signal work...(snip)
>3. Many long to hear good old fashioned CW on the band again,
>4. Because of the amateur band allocation, it will be "legitimate".
>6. The opportunity to attempt trans-atlantic QSO's...{etc}

I agree with the validity of all these points, but I don't necessarily see
them adding up to a mass exodus from beacon operation on 1750 meters.  Most
of those points are already valid, as I observe, but still there is plenty
of beaconing now.

Some hams will migrate and will, of necessity, have to re-purpose their 1750
meter antennas and ground systems.  Others will be able to do both types of
activity.  And I predict we'll have a new generation of Part 15 operators
come along as well.  There'll be changes, but I don't see them as being all
that drastic.

As for the legitimacy thing...I've always gotten a bit of a chuckle out of
that.  Sometimes it even seemed to border more on snobbery than a real
concern about the kosher-ness of our hobby.  If there were any doubt what
the FCC thinks on the subject of Part 15 experimentation, that should have
been removed by their staff's own comments in the current rulemaking
proceeding and their turning to the lwca.org website for examples of what
can be done with the band.  Oh yes, they're well aware of what we do, and
have no problem with those who make sincere efforts to stay within the
rules.

73,
John