The narrow band requirement for commercial LMR is for stations in the 150-512 MHz band, they have already been purchasing wide band/narrow band capable radios for a number of years-the dates are Jan 1, 2011, only narrow band radios can be sold, and Jan 1, 2013 all stations must be using narrow band (12.5 KHz) but there is also a further order that says narrow banding will continue to 6.25 KHz, and yes, going from 25 KHz channels to 12.5 KHz channels reduces the range of a repeater by about 30%, and lots of public safety agencies have filed for waivers to extend the time beyond 2012 but it is my opinion that the FCC will not grant the waivers-
I have also narrow banded several GE Mastr II receivers-using the filters sold by Comm Specs and I can tell you that this mod create havoc with the receiver squelch noise levels, and basically makes the receiver a noise generator- As for getting additional spectrum in the 2M band-dream on-we are very lucky that we are not losing what we have-and if you are in Northern California you might have received notice from the feds that your 440 repeaters need to be tuned back to 10 watts of output power because of the Increased Federal band usage. Most 2M repeaters are underutilized and the FCC has been tasked by congress with providing a list of all spectrum and its usage-when they make their tests if we are not making use of our spectrum on a regular basis we are going to lose more of it-so the end game here is to make use of the spectrum we have and to increase traffic on the repeaters in any given area-the idea of private repeaters with a few users may cost us spectrum in the future-more open repeaters with more users will help our cause-what is the expression? Use it or lose it-and this is a VERY real threat to us, the commercial operators are looking for 800 MHz of additional spectrum -and it won't take them very long to identify what we have as spectrum to go after. Andy From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of JOHN MACKEY Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 7:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] ARRL Approves Study Committee to Research & Develop Plan for Narrowband Channel Spacing Hopefully there would be common sense to NOT try to narrow band 10 meter FM and 6 meter FM. ------ Original Message ------ Received: Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:10:25 PM PDT From: MCH <[email protected] <mailto:mch%40nb.net> > To: [email protected] <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] ARRL Approves Study Committee to Research & Develop Plan for Narrowband Channel Spacing > Exactly. It comes back to the mentality that 2M is the only VHF/UHF band > out there. What the ARRL needs to do is figure out a way to make hams > realize that 2M is not the only VHF/UHF band. > > What it really comes down to is that hams are CHEAP and multiband radios > cost money (but not twice as much for twice the bands - the additional > expense is an inverse log - 2 bands = 50% more, 3=66% more, Etc.). It's > a wonder we don't see more single-band HF radios. I apologize for those > who are shocked my this truth or by the fact I was brave enough to TYPE it. > > Maybe the ARRL needs to convince manufacturers to make more radios with > multi-band capability so the price will come down so more hams will buy > them. > > In WPA there are 3 repeaters on 900 MHz. Actually, there are 2 > coordinated, and 1 that is planned - I'm not sure if any are actually on > the air. > > Again, there are plenty of pairs available in my area for narrowband > repeaters. If they only argument is the fact that the 2M repeater > sub-bands are full, then petition the FCC to expand the 2M band. Maybe > give us 148.2-150 MHz and make it a narrowband transmission only band. > > But forcing repeaters off the air is not a smart thing to do - > especially when you have users who will be forced to use a lesser number > of repeaters rather than buy new, more expensive, equipment. (cheap, > remember?) > > If the FCC would allow repeater use of the 144.4-144.5 MHz segment, that > could be paired with 144.9 - 145.0 MHz that has been largely abandoned > by packet users and is already repeater-legal. There you go - 9 pairs > ready to be used for SNFM operations that will not impact the current users. > > Of course, the overcrowding argument is a good one, too. I doubt you > will be able to prove that given the state most repeaters are in (that > being the IDLE state). I've also not seen one OOB repeater on the air. > > Oh, and where will all this 10M and 6M repeater equipment come from? The > commercial users don't have it for Low Band. 900 MHz is already > narrowband for the most part. Where are all these people who want to put > narrowband repeaters on the air? (reference my maybe 1 planned repeater > in WPA comment) > > Joe M. > > Mark wrote: > > This is one reason why I have a 900 MHz machine on the air, Joe. Plus, it > > is "narrowband-capable" already! <grin> > > > > Seriously, my main concern (as well as another ham north of me who also has > > a 900 machine) is how to get some users! It sits for hours at a time > > without activity. (Other than me calling out "listening" or having the > > occasional rag chew with one of the three other users.) If only I knew how > > to generate more interest in 900 MHz without *ME* having to foot the bill > > for everyone else's radios... Of course, I'm open to suggestions - or > > donations! > > > > 73, > > Mark - N9WYS > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [email protected] <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> On Behalf Of MCH > > Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 3:37 PM > > To: [email protected] <mailto:Repeater-Builder%40yahoogroups.com> > > Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] ARRL Approves Study Committee to Research & > > Develop Plan for Narrowband Channel Spacing > > > > I bet there are few places that have every pair used in every band. It's > > likely more an issue of the fact that everyone *has* to be on 2M and > > nowhere else. Pandering to these types will only result in the LOSS of > > the other VHF/UHF bands. > > > > And have they through about how to pay for everyone to get a new radio? > > Will there be a government bailout so all the hams (many who can't > > afford a used radio) can buy new compatible gear? > > > > Joe M. > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > Internal Virus Database is out of date. > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > > Version: 8.5.387 / Virus Database: 270.13.38/2274 - Release Date: 07/31/09 05:58:00 > > >
