At 07:32 PM 6/3/2010, Rusty Hemenway wrote:
I'd not heard about this freq being the d-star simplex freq. Is it
coordinated nationwide? Wish I had known this as I just returned from a
over 2000 mile trip across the country.
Rusty K1GGS
Hi, Rusty,
Simple answer: no, 145.67 is not coordinated nationwide for D-STAR simplex.
Someone suggested it a few years ago, and it's been more or less adopted in
many areas of the country where it isn't already in use for packet. You'll
find it in use at some hamfests, and I think there are a few pockets of
simplex activity here and there. It would have been quite the coincidence
if you ran into any on your long trip (heck, people have trouble finding
activity on 52 simplex analog).
Longer answer: Go ahead and use it anyplace the channel is clear. In some
places you'll find some legacy packet activity there. For example,
Minnesota uses it for a statewide emergency packet network. Probably avoid
it in those areas.
There isn't any organization that could "coordinate" it nationwide (and to
get the language right, it would be "band planning," not "coordination").
Frequency coordinators and spectrum management groups are regional - single
state or multi-state, but none approach nationwide. I haven't heard of any
officially adopting 145.67 as D-STAR simplex, and some would have conflicts
with other incumbent activity.
The ARRL could revise their <http://www.arrl.org/band-plan-1>band plan to
recommend it, but I don't expect that to happen. The League hasn't tinkered
with the band plan in years (they still call for terrestrial linear
translators between 145.10 and 145.20). Even if they did, though (and Katy
bar the door if they do - everyone and their HT will want to be in on it),
the local/regional band plans take precedence, so it would really be just a
suggestion. If Kermit Carlson W9XA is listening, he might chime in here as
former chairman of the ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee with some background.
So again, use it if the channel is clear... and you can find someone to
talk to! If you really want to use D-STAR on the open road, a DVDongle or
DVAP and an air card are your best options between repeaters.
73,
Gary KN4AQ
ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News
Gary Pearce KN4AQ
508 Spencer Crest Ct.
Cary, NC 27513
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
919-380-9944
www.ARVideoNews.com
