[SFDXA] Southeastern Division Survey Question

[Mickey Baker]

I replied with a No vote, not in principle, but in details of the proposal.
Here's why:

*1. 10kHz is too small for an allocation. *
There are a few Extra-only 25kHz segments, currently the smallest unique
allocation. We would allocate the weakest technical license class the
smallest divisions of all? Would they be cautious or aware enough to fit
their entire signal in a crowded 10kHz segment? I would support 25kHz
segment*s, starting *AFTER* the extra band...*

*2. Extra - keep the lower 25.*
There's a lot going on in the Extra cw segment. Generally, this is a
"quiet" place where DX can pop up and have a conversation with a US ham,
and the US ham can readily work some dx.  Extras don't get much for the
much more difficult license exam, taking this much spectum away to give to
Techs won't be popular. Keep the lower 25 and allocate a frequency closer
to what's currently used.

*3. IARU Bandplan compliance*
Before we float this change, we need to make sure the international
agencies are in agreement and that the proposed changes don't violate any
agreements.

4. Terms, definitions and legalese.
RTTY and PSK? Don't think you're going to be able to get what you want
without opening the door to a wide variety of modes.

5. Incentive for Technicians to upgrade to General is mitigated.
"Why upgrade, I have all the frequencies that I need now."

6. Technical skill is needed to operate an HF station, particularly digital
modes.
At almost any time, you'll see various quality of signals on the popular
digital frequencies. Some are great, some have compression or
overmodulation artifacts that cause interference. The barrier to entry with
the current Technician exam is very low and does not require training in
techniques that would avoid this interference.

​73,

Mickey N4MB​


On Wed, Jun 25, 2014 at 3:11 PM, Bill <bmarx at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> With the July Board Meeting a little less than a month away, Vice
> Director Mike Lee and I are busy getting ready. While in Birmingham a
> few months ago for the Hamfest, a member explained an idea that he had.
> I've discussed the idea with other Board members and have come up with a
> potential motion to present to the Board in July. In deciding whether to
> bring the motion to the Board, I want to solicit input from the
> membership.
>
> In the days when the Technician written exam was the same as the
> General, with 5 wpm CW versus 13 wpm separating them, Novices and
> Technicians worked CW in the Novice subbands, polishing their operating
> skills and listening to all of the great DX out of reach in the General
> subbands—especially on 20m. This provided both a training grounds for
> new licensees and an enticement to upgrade to General and beyond.
>
> The idea of the proposal is to try to recapture the motivation for
> upgrading and advancing within our hobby that previously existed
> through the Novice Sub-bands.
>
> Proposal:
>
> Create a 10 KHz Technician Digital Subband with a limit of 200 watts in
> the 80m, 40m, and 15m bands. Digital modes would be limited to RTTY and
> PSK. The subbands would be 3.600-3.610 KHz (moving the bottom of the
> Extra phone band to 3.610 KHz), 7.115-7.125 KHz, and 21.190-21.200 KHz.
> This mirrors the bands and power levels where Technicians already have
> CW privileges (Technicians already have digital privileges on 10m at
> 200w).
>
> This would take a rule change by the FCC.
>
> Request:
>
> If you support the idea, send an email before 7/5/2014 to
> yes at arrlse.org that includes your callsign in the body of the email.
>
> If you oppose the idea, send an email before 7/5/2014 to no at arrlse.org
> that includes your callsign in the body of the email.
>
> Please only send one email and share this information with as many
> amateurs as possible.
>
> Thanks & 73, de K4AC
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Southeastern Division
> Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC
> k4ac at arrl.org
>
>
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