[600MRG] Any FCC news on 600m?

[sbjohnston at aol.com]

 Bill wrote:

>If we do not go through channels as we have been, but rather make a sort of public demand 
>for the band space, then it is going to stir up some of the old boys on this band, many of 
>them also ARRL members and HAMs, who do NOT think we should be allowed on this region of the spectrum


 It is difficult to imagine who those old boys might be - does someone have another use for this spectrum in mind?  The particular slice in question is certainly idle now except for the experimental stations.  There is talk of preserving a different small piece of the maritime band (centered on 500 kHz) for operation by museum ships and shore stations.  That seems very cool, and would complement the idea of a MF ham band.

The closest to the kind of opposition you are describing that I've come across was raised by three individuals (two emails and one hamfest conversation) who suggested those who are interested in MF operation should get an experimental license and get on the air that way - forget the ham band idea.  The rationale offered was that this method would 'preserve" the band and keep out the riffraff.  I understand the reasoning but prefer a more open approach.

It is not difficult to find opposition to change of any kind.  Through our history there were hams that opposed each new mode or band as the ideas came along. I really enjoy listening to the old timers and reading the old magazines - and these debates were common.   There were hams that felt we should never "chit-chat", message handling only.  There were hams who said we should not be allowed to operate phone, CW only.  Same with new bands.  Rarely did the nay-sayers manage to overcome those who wanted to explore a new mode or band, but it was necessary for all the opinions to be circulated to let the decision-makers know our views.

My suggestion involved ARRL members contacting ARRL leaders - that doesn't really seem to fit your description of "a public demand for band space".   At this stage I don't think we need grass-roots campaigns, or protests in Newington or Washington.  Although I kind of like the idea of putting together a "Thousand Ham March"...


73 

Steve WD8DAS


sbjohnston at aol.com
http://www.wd8das.net/
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