[NLRS] Fwd: Re: [NEWSVHF] Fw: 902-928MHz Band Plan Proposal by ARRL will restrict Weak Signal use

Sat Apr 7 19:50:03 EDT 2012

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [NEWSVHF] Fw: 902-928MHz Band Plan Proposal by ARRL will 
restrict Weak Signal use
Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:26:25 -0500
From: Dr. Gerald N. Johnson <geraldj at weather.net>
Reply-To: geraldj at weather.net
To: newsvhf at mailman.qth.net
CC: Microwave list <microwave at lists.eclectechs.com>

The fundamental problem reported at recent CSVHF conferences is that the
unlicensed services allocated 902 to 928 are strictly limited to IN band
transmissions and with not so perfect reference oscillators they tend to
use ALL but the last 100 kHz at each band edge. So only those two 100
kHz band segments are quiet enough for any ham use, whether CW, SSB, or
FM. Which means the FM users and potential FM users want to also use
those narrow band segments with a 25.9 MHz offset as well. Keeping one
of them for SSB/CW EME is going to be difficult because there are many
more potential FM users than SSB/CW/EME users.

At the 2009 CSVHF conference business meeting I proposed a committee be
formed to look at the problem and the proposal was approved by the
membership but at the 2010 meeting the president admitted nothing had
been done. It may be too late now.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 4/7/2012 4:53 PM, Mark Casey wrote:
> Weak Signal, EME, and FM Simplex and all amateur licensees:
>
> A few days ago the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee issued its'
> "Proposed Band Plan for Amateur Band (902-928 MHz)"
>
> The proposal will severely restrict Weak Signal, CW, SSB, Digital, FM
> Simplex, and EME operation. In the Northeast US, Weak Signal/FM Simplex/EME
> operators have been operating under a Band Plan that was approved by both
> the Repeater Coordination Body for the State of Connecticut (CSMA) and the
> North East Weak Signal Group (NEWS) back in 2005. That plan REALLY WORKS
> WELL. It is a reasonable plan for Weak Signal and Repeater users, Analog and
> Digital alike.
>
> The total amount of spectrum allocated to Weak Signal/EME in  the NEWS plan
> is only 1 MHz out of 26 MHz available in the 902-928 band. And, as you know,
> with the increase of commercial noise on 902-928 MHz, it is absolutely vital
> that Weak Signal ops have a band segment that is a free of noise as
> possible. Some of those "less noisy" segments are allocated to Weak Signal
> in the NEWS Band Plan. And, sone of the "less noisy" segments are allocated
> to Repeaters. While we all wish for a noise free spectrum, the fact is, that
> Repeaters, whether FM or Digital, can stand a little more noise than Weak
> Signal. With noise and interference, Weak Signal Amateurs are unable to
> operate.
>
> The 25 MHz split repeater band, (in the NEWS band plan) which is driven by
> only one type of surplus commercial gear, which may or may not be available
> in the future, has 39 repeater pairs, and is located in the least noisy area
> of the band. Most of those allocations are unused. And many of the
> "occupied" pairs are very short range or on paper only.
>
> The first commercial ham gear has recently become available. It is the
> Alinco DJ-G29 handheld, and it handles any repeater split available, whether
> it is 25MHz,
> 12 MHz, or any other choice of offset. So, the 25MHz split will not be the
> only likely choice in the future, and repeater users will be able to use
> other areas of the band.
>
> As Weak Signal, EME and FM Simplex operators, we need to make our choices
> known to the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee.
>
> Please endorse the NEWS/CSMA Band Plan as the Common Sense Plan for 902-928
> that gives equal weight to all modes, and leaves room for new modes
> sure to come in the future.
>
> If you agree with the fair NEWS/CSMA plan, please email to
>
> map1 at mapinternet.com
>
> then Please indicate: "Yes to NEWS 902 plan" or just "Yes" and , Your
> callsign and, OK or Not OK to use your name&  callsign
>
> If you say "Not OK" to use you name&  call,  then we will count your choice,
> but will Not identify you in any way.
>
> If you say "OK" to use you name&  call, then we will count your choice, and
> may use your call and name in a list of supporters of the NEWS/CSMA Band
> Plan for 902-928
>
> If you are a member of a Weak Signal Society, or Club, please bring this up
> at the next meeting. Any clubs that would like to join NEWS in this band
> plan will be appreciated.
>
> The ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee has only allowed until May 7,
> 2012 for further comments, so we need to make our choices known soon.
>
> Thank-You
> Mark Casey, K1MAP, NEWS Spectrum Manager
>
> --------------------------------------------------------
> Here is the NEWS/CSMA Plan:
>
> On Sept. 25, 2005, after much work, the Connecticut Spectrum Management
> Association (CSMA), which is the repeater coordination body for Connecticut,
> and the North East Weak Signal Group (NEWS), which is the weak signal
> organization of record representing Amateurs in the six New England states
> and Eastern New York, completed agreement of the following Band Plan for the
> 902-928 MHz amateur band.
>
> NEWS and CSMA Bandplan 902.000-928.000 MHz
>> 902.0000-902.4000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, Beacons, EME
>> 902.1000 National Calling Frequency-Weak Signal USB, CW
>> 902.2500 SSB/CW/FM DX Calling Frequency
>> 902.3000-902.3750 CW Propagation Beacons, Simplex, Experimental&  Mixed
>> Use
>> 902.4000-902.4875 FM Repeater Inputs, 25kHz channels-11-16kBW, 12.5kHz
>> channels-6-11k BW*
>> 902.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency
>> 902.5125-902.8750 FM Repeater Inputs, 25kHz channels-11-16kBW, 12.5kHz
>> channels-6-11k BW*
>> 902.9000-903.4000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, Beacons, EME.
>> 903.1000 National Calling Frequency-East Coast&  Alternate-Weak
>> Signal-USB, CW
>> 903.2500 SSB/CW/FM DX Calling Frequency
>> 903.3000-903.3500 CW Propagation Beacons
>> 903.4000-905.0000 Mixed use&  Experimental
>> 905.0000-906.000 Digital, Links, Experimental&  Mixed Use
>> 906.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency
>> 906.0000-910.0000 FM Repeater Inputs, Links,&  Coordinated Uses*
>> 910.0000-917.0000 Amateur TV (primary), Experimental&  Mixed Use
>> (secondary)*
>> 917.0000-918.0000 Digital, Links, Experimental&  Mixed Use
>> 918.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency
>> 918.0000-922.0000 FM repeater Outputs, Links,&  Coordinated Uses*
>> 922.0000-927.0000 Experimental&  Wideband Digital Repeaters*
>> 927.0000-927.4000 FM Simplex&  Links
>> 927.4000-927.4875 FM Repeater Outputs, 25kHz channels-11-16kBW, 12.5kHz
>> channels-6-11k BW*
>> 927.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency
>> 927.5250-927.8750 FM Repeater Outputs, 25kHz channels-11-16kBW, 12.5kHz
>> channels-6-11k BW*
>> 927.9000-927.9250 CW Propagation Beacons
>> 927.9000-928.0000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, EME
>> *Repeaters will be coordinated only in the segments indicated
>
> The following segments are important to weak signal and contest operators:
>
> 902.0000-902.4000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, Beacons, EME
> 902.1000 National Calling Frequency-Weak Signal USB, CW
> 902.2500 SSB/CW/FM DX Calling Frequency (primarily used as an FM simplex
> freq during contests)
> 902.3000-902.3750 CW Propagation Beacons, Simplex, Experimental&  Mixed
> 902.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (see 927.500 pair)
> 902.9000-903.4000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, Beacons, EME.
> 903.1000 National Calling Frequency-East Coast&  Alternate-Weak
> Signal-USB,CW
> 903.2500 SSB/CW/FM DX Calling Frequency (primarily used as an FM simplex
> freq during contests)
> 903.3000-903.3500 CW Propagation Beacons
> 906.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (not used very much)
> 918.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (not used very much)
> 927.5000 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (used for general FM simplex&contest
> contacts across the country, note that this pairs with 902.500 as a 25MHz
> split)
> 927.9000-927.9250 CW Propagation Beacons
> 927.9000-928.0000 Weak Signal, SSB, CW, EME
>
> As much as possible, we considered uses in other areas when designing this
> plan. Many of the bandplan segments were created specifically to agree with
> those segments created in existing the ARRL bandplan, the SERA coordination
> plan for the Southeast US, and the Florida Repeater Council. It would be
> good if each regional weak signal group would consider the NEWS/CSMA
> bandplan, and either adopt it, or a version of it, or even create their own
> bandplan consistent with usage in their region of the country.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Here is the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee's Proposed ARRL Band Plan
> for a 902-928 MHz Amateur Band as shown in the April 5, 2012 ARRL Letter and
> ARRL Website. The proposal pretty much leaves Weak Signal&  FM Simplex
> operators out in the cold. It leaves EME out completely.
>
> Proposed Band Plan for Amateur 33 cm Band (902-928 MHz)
> Frequency Range--Mode--From To --Functional Use--Comment
>
> 902.0000-902.0875--FM/other including DV--Repeater inputs 902.0125-902.0750
> paired with 927.0125-927.0750 (12.5 kHz channels)
>
> 902.1--CW/SSB--Weak signal calling--Regional option
>
> 902.1125-903.0000--FM/other including DV--Repeater inputs 902.1250-902.9875
> paired with 927.1250-927.9875 (12.5 kHzchannels)
>
> 903.0000-903.0875--CW/SSB--Weak signal
>
> 903.1--CW/SSB--Weak signal calling--Regional option
>
> 903.1125-903.2000--CW/SSB--Weak signal
>
> 903.2000-903.4000--CW Beacons
>
> 903.4000-909.0000--Mixed modes, Mixed operations including control links
> 909.0000 915.0000 Analog/digital Multimedia includingATV,DATVand SS
>
> 915.0000-921.0000--Analog/digital Multimedia including ATV,DATVand SS
>
> 921.0000-927.0000--Analog/digital Multimedia including ATV, DATVand SS
>
> 927.0000-927.087--FM/otherincluding DV--Repeater outputs 927.0125-927.0750
> paired with 902.0125-902.0750 (12.5 kHz channels)
>
> 927.1--FM/other--Simplex calling
>
> 927.1125-928.0000--FM/other including DV--Repeater outputs 927.1250-927.9875
> paired with 902.1250-902.9875 (12.5 kHz channels)
>
>
>
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