[NLRS] Question regarding modes/frequencies

[W0ZQ at aol.com]

Hello Carl and all.  Good  discussion.   

First off, although I am the current NLRS  president, I am not an expert in 
modes and frequencies.  I do believe that  there are those in the club who are. 
  Second, the NLRS is really a  special interest club .... we are a weak 
signal VHF (UHF, uW) club.  This  tends to downplay our interest in non-weak 
signal modes like FM.    While we have members who are very active within the FM 
ranks, you will notice  that 99% of our Sat morning breakfasts are not about FM 
topics, etc.  At  the same time we have seen a significant explosion in the 
use of digital modes  for enhanced weak signal work - WSJT comes to mind, so 
there is certainly more  to weak signal VHF work than CW and SSB.    

So with that,  moving to address the comments and questions, 

1)  Yes, I do think  its a good idea that NLRS has a voice in this 
discussion.  I do know that  there are several NLRS members who are on the Twin Cities 
Repeat Group and we  need to work with them to assure that weak signal 
interests are represented in  mode discussion.   Again, as our current pres, I have 
not been asked  nor approached for any NLRS based input.  Perhaps we need to be 
more  proactive here ? - I defer to those who may know more about where this 
may be  headed to provide some input here.  

2)  Regarding the specific  question as to where to operate what mode, here 
is my non-expert  knowledge.   144.000 to 144.100 is designated for CW only.    
144.100 and up is CW, RTTY, data, MCW, test (?), phone and image.    That 
would mean no PSK below 144.100 for sure.   I believe 144.140 is  the national 
calling freq for meteor scatter so its good to avoid  that.   It seems 
reasonable to find a spot in the 144.105 to 144.135  or 144.145 to say 144.180 range 
for playing with PSK. Be aware that the meteor  guys use this range for 
coordinated contacts and to move off of 144.140.  I  believe the beacon band is 
144.275 to 144.300 so it would be good to avoid that  area but another slot for PSK 
usage could be 144.220 up to 144.270.    Above 144.300, I am not sure how 
"low" the FM guys come, but any range that may  exist above 144.300 may be game 
too.   In summary, a good spot to play  with PSK may be 144.105 to 144.135, 
144.145 to 144.180, 144.220 to 144.270, and  perhaps above 144.300 to "FM guys" - 
that would keep you out of the CW band,  avoid the meteor scatter and general 
SSB calling freqs, and the beacon  subband.   Any comments from anyone on that 
?

73, Jon
W0ZQ  




************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com