expeditionradio wrote: > As of 15 December, 3580kHz+ is an obsolete frequency for mainstream > PSK31 in USA. The FCC simply changed the subbands... pulled the rug > out from under us. Now we have to use some of our famous ham ingenuity > to make lemonade out of the barrel of lemons the FCC gave us.
While the facts are correct, the conclusion that 3580 is obsolete is absolutely incorrect. Yes, the band got compressed. Yes, digital/CW from 3.6 up have to move down to below 3600 But NO, it doesn't follow that EVERYTHING below 3600 must change to compensate. There must be accommodation, but there are some things that can stay without modification. > I see you enjoy trying to make the tail wag the dog. Next week, your > warbler colorburst PSK rig, that once lived in a quiet rural home on > the 80 meter band, will find itself smack dab in the middle of a 4 > lane highway of daily kilowatts, high speed data, and traffic nets. > Yep, the poor little 3.58 Warbler doggie's future could look a lot > like roadkill :) And why is that? Given that virtually all operations in the lower part of 80m are frequency-agile EXCEPT the warbler rigs, following good amateur practice should dictate that the fixed-frequency mode stays on the same frequency since it doesn't HAVE to change. > The use of a cheapo 3.58MHz colorburst crystal has been a convenient > thing for QRPers and ARDF Foxhunters. It will continue to be used by > hams in the future. But the days of that frequency being a clear spot > is gone. The good news is that frequency agile programmable > oscillators and crystals are cheaper than ever. There are no clear spots. But there is no reason to throw out a whole group of operators when all that is required is to work around them. > At any rate, I say: > Let's add a 3580kHz "colorburst" calling frequency to the list. Yep. There's the solution. Make it like the "DX window" on 160 meters. Publicize the fact that there is a type of operation going on there that needs protection. > > But, remember, Skip... no matter how much you "educate yourself" from > that old textbook, it won't turn 80 meters back to the days of > yesteryear. The new book is being written as we speak. That's certainly correct - the band is changing, whether we like it or not. But in the process of changing, we need to keep the eyes open for things that need to be preserved. List 3580+ in the register of Ham Radio Landmarks and pass the word.
