[MRCA] Digital sigs on 5357 kc

[Robert Nickels]

On 11/12/2017 9:34 AM, Peter Gottlieb wrote:
> Someone mentioned they installed the software and found out who the 
> hams were but they seem to think that is their channel and won't move.

Exactly right, Peter.   They have stated their believe that 5357 Khz is 
"a digital frquency" and that voice operators should go elsewhere.   Not 
surprisingly they could care less about our argument about radios that 
only tune in 1 Khz increments (just look at the current state of amateur 
technical knowledge to understand why).

These are  hams, but the point about Primary Users deserves 
clarification.  Everyone who remembers when 60 meters was opened (which 
I'd say includes virtually none of these JT-65 users) understands that 
we are secondary users and are required to vacate the frequency on 
request from a primary user.   If these JT-65 stations ignore amateur 
convention and courtesy by starting up digital transmissions at random 
times without regard for other amateur users on the channel, how would 
they ever respond to an official request from a primary user?   That's 
the scenario that will wreck 60 meter privileges for everyone, and you'd 
think the ARRL which fought for this allocation would step in and help 
preserve it.

Before I get off the soapbox, let me add that some of them do not think 
they are causing harmful interference because they are using a 
"narrowband mode".   And while it's true that JT-65 uses a very small 
frequency shift between tones, the net impact on a voice user is a 
warbling continuous carrier.   The fact that the software initiates 
transmissions automatically on a time-synchronized schedule combined 
with the common use of excessive power leads to malicious interference, 
just as if I randomly laid a brick on my key in the middle of someone's QSO.

Searches show there's been considerable discussion about whether digital 
modes are even legal on 60 meters, but it seems those who wanted to use 
them just decided to do so, and now claim squatters rights, despite the 
fact that voice and CW users were there first.   In my opinion digital 
modes are incompatible with the intent of our 60 meter secondary 
allocation and should be banned.

73, Bob W9RAN