New subject: 44Net Digest, Vol 2, Issue 84

8 Jul 2013

...
 Again I ask why are the higher bands not as attractive?
Readily available
COTS Gear is available for 900Mhz, 2.4GHz, 3.4Ghz, 5.7Ghz, 10Ghz, & 24Ghz.
We ought to be looking to fill 5.7, 10, & 24 to the point that we can show
value in being there.  it is our non use of these bands that makes them
easy targets for reallocation and takeover.  Try reallocating for instance
the 2M Band in a major metropolitan city, you'd have an uproar, but the
middle microwave bands, easy chicken, egg. 
...
 Eric
AF6EP 
It may be different in the US, but here "an uproar" (if any) is not going
to determine how bands are re-allocated.  We have constructive discussion
with the license authority, but in the end we are not the ones that decide.
VHF/UHF band popularity has gone down anyway, because of license class
changes.  Until a decade ago, there was a separate "no code" license class
that only allowed operation on VHF/UHF, and a "novice" class that allowed a
couple of sub-bands and lower power.
Then the code requirement was dropped for everyone, so now "no code" licensees
(like me) can operate on all HF bands.  "novice" class were given access
to most of the HF bands as well.   The result was that many active amateurs
who always wanted to be on HF but were restrained by the code or exam level
requirements now went there, and most DX activity the VHF/UHF bands vanished.
There now are only repeaters (mostly silent) and a couple of local channels
with very little activity. Tuning over the 2M band you may hear 2 or 3 QSOs.
This weekend there was a contest but I only heard a German and a UK station,
while a decade ago the SSB segment would be filled with activity.
As it is now, there are not enough active hams here to setup and sustain
something as involved as a data network.  We had one in the past, but interest
dropped with the availability of internet for everyone.  Sure one could
experiment with a link to a friend just for fun, but that is no significant
band use.
Unattended operation is more of a problem as well.  We now need a special
permit for anything that transmits beyond of the direct control of the
operator.  Presence of the operator while the gear is operating is no longer
sufficient.  Such special permits are given only for fixed frequencies and
only in certain bands, and they also cost money.
Rob
PE1CHL

Re: [44net] 44Net Digest, Vol 2, Issue 84