[Lowfer] FCC Denies 136khz Band [Other Viewpoint]

[Les Rayburn]

As usual, look for me to have a different viewpoint on all this.

I submit that the FCC decision might be a good thing in the
long run. Like most hams, I was disappointed initially by
the decision, and the less than perfect logic that went into
it.

But let's face facts, the electrical utilities invest a lot of
money into political contributions and have a strong
lobby, opposed only by the ARRL. In the world of
politics, money usually wins.

But the other fact is that a 136khz band would have
brought with it a lot of "reinventing the wheel" by
the amateur community-most of whom would have
ignored decades of amateur research into LF
conducted by LOWFERS!

You'd have been subjected to an endless debate of
why a longwire really could be made to work within
the antenna restrictions, or my favorite subject, "136khz
from my apartment".  And hey, that whole "CW
is the only logical mode" thing would have been fun too.

In the end, you'd have had a few hams on both coasts
who would have made successful trans-Atlantic and trans-pacific
contacts via QRSS (much hyped by QST) and then five years
from now, perhaps some real innovations by a handful of
dedicated souls (most of whom would be the same group
who have been subscribed to this list for years!)

The only real downside is that we will lose some new blood
in our ranks...hams who would have pushed the envelope.
Those who would not have been happy with just running
a QRSS beacon year after year, or trying to squeeze another
.005db of loss out of some loop TX antenna.

But the upside is that we still have this group, we still have
160-190khz...and it still isn't as easy as building a 100 watt
PA and loading up a big coil. You still have limitations and
restrictions, and those will continue to define LF experimentation
in this country.

I for one, plan on returning next season with a new beacon...
and continuing with this obscure, insane pursuit for years
to come. This is the real "Topband" gentlemen---no hams
allowed.

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF


Les Rayburn, director
High Noon Film
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