[WIham] 70CM Up For Auction?

[Scott]

On 3-17-2011 05:52, kb9mwr at gmail.com wrote:
> Well I did my part and wrote to Herb Kohl.
>
> While it would be a shame to lose this band, the lower half of the
> band is Very inactive. Around here the only part used for the
> most-part is 440-450 MHz.
Not sure where "around here" is, but up here around Eau Claire, WI, we 
operate in the 432 MHz (CW/SSB) portion of the band, albeit not on a 
daily basis.  There is also a pocket of the same activity in Minneapolis 
area.  432 here gets about as much use as the FM (440-450 MHz) portion 
of the band...
> I've been blogging about the concept using 5 MHz wide 802.11 mesh
> networking in the ATV sub-band.
> http://kb9mwr.blogspot.com/2011/03/hsmm-420-430-mhz.html

I suppose it might be legal to use a Part 15 device down there, but then 
it really isn't ham radio, is it?  How would you "I.D." with an 802.xx 
device?  I suspect they use Spread Spectrum communications?  If so, 
amateurs are limited to 100W.  I don't think you have a huge range with 
a 5MHz wide signal at 432 MHz...it would take quite a few stations to 
make a network in rural areas.

> Seems a shame that we can't setup a decent wireless (emergency)
> network, other than this pathetic Winlink business. Heck if we can't
> do it, sounds like that is exactly what the proposed Department of
> Homeland Security First Responder network is.

Maybe I'm missing the point, but it seems a "decent wireless (emergency) 
network" wouldn't bring enough "use it or lose it" traffic to our 70cm 
band.  Emergencies don't happen everyday.  It sounds more like a 
modernized packet network...some mail forwarding and an occasional 
keyboard to keyboard chat with a 5 MHz bandwidth?

Not saying this couldn't work, but I don't think TSA (or whoever plans 
to implement this stuff) would be using the right set of frequencies if 
they want large area coverage.  I would think HF would provide larger 
coverage "cells"...the downside is the reduced bandwidth available at HF 
frequencies.  They would be limited to something more traditional such 
as packet or ASCII, etc. at the slower Baud rates....now, on the other 
hand, if they want to link population centers, microwave point to point 
comms would be good to provide the backbone, with the 430 MHz stuff for 
"local" access within say 30 miles of the microwave site....much the 
same a cellphone companies use.

Scott
N0EDV


> Time to move forward, else I have little desire to continue to write
> letters to try and defend spectrum that will just sit idle as it has
> been. Use it or lose it..... maybe the ARRL, TAPR and other "leaders"
> will one day realize they need to step forward and suggest some new
> ideas for the hobby to help not only "protect" the spectrum, but put
> it to actual use.
>
> What I am reading is "When All Else Fails" ... we will build our own
> wireless network. Possibly a wake up call for ham radio?
>
> Steve, KB9MWR
> ______________________________________________________________
> WIham mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wiham
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:WIham at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>

--