[Milsurplus] Extra Class AM Window 3685 KC

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 1/4/07, David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> It's about to get very crowded there.
> I don't know about the northeast, but the "mode police"
> squeeze us down here with an SSB group on 3878 and
> a new SSB group that's decided they like 3895 just fine,
> when they aren't making themselves comfortable on 3890
> and even 3885.

Yes, I've heard the dilemma you have down in 4 and (to a lesser
degree) 5 Land with these few troublemakers. It makes me cringe since
I'll be moving to Florida later this year. Some have told me that 'the
SSB stations won't let us operate' which seems like nonsense to me.
Get a few strong stations, get on the air, use different frequencies,
and operate. We have SSBers in 2 and 8 Land who think they own 75 and
80 meters too - the AM community just doesn't agree.

The good thing about up this way is that we have a large group, many
of whom have big rigs from BC-610s and T-368s to converted broadcast
transmitters. Globe Kings, Johnson 500s, and so on. The problem is
getting folks on the air regularly. More and more it seems like the
majority need to be led to operate, by a net or some special event. If
25% of the guys who check into the Collins net 'for the numbers' would
get on a few times a week, it would make all the difference. Instead
it seems like folks want to get on long enough to tell everyone what
they have for gear, then disappear.

> This isn't going to get better.  We're going to need
> a window on the low end, and soon.
> I don't say abandon the traditional window.
> But we better accept that the "gentleman's agreement"
> is lacking in SSB "gentleman," and if we want to use
> our rigs we need a refuge from the barbarians.

You just hit the nail on the head, Dave. Unfortunately, setting up a
new window or small group of frequencies just puts a target on our
backs for the problem children to zero in on. Most of the folks I've
spoken with agree that we need an area of the band where folks can
look for activity, but also that we need to make use of any open spot
we find and are licensed to use. As you pointed out with your remarks,
the "gentleman's agreement" only works if all parties comply, and only
one side has been consistent over the years. With more folks coming
back to AM through vintage gear, Class E, and better plastic radios,
the best thing we can do is re-learn how to spin the dial to find
activity. If you find none, throw out a CQ. More often than not, folks
are sitting out there listening. Last night seems to have been the
exception.

Tune up, Tune in, Enjoy. The only thing stopping us is 'us'.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ