[RTTY] Digital Operators Band Plan Committee - Current thoughts and status

[Kai]

Terry,
One possible way to get figures on CW, Phone and RTTY usage  is to look at 
DXpedition statistics.
ClubLog list totals < https://secure.clublog.org/expeditions.php > but does not 
break out by mode.
Maybe you can pick some likely candidates there and search other sources for 
breakouts by mode.
They are available from some DXpeditions, for example, click on "statistics" at,
   http://www.clublog.org/charts/?c=FT5ZM#r

It's at least a traceable source, and the Digital stats would be almost 
exclusively amateur-RTTY.

Another way is to look at the posted W1AW/n "details" at
    https://centennial-qp.arrl.org/w1aw-portable-qsos.php
They report by principal mode, but they don't report what kind of "digital" but 
I'll bet most were amateur-RTTY,
although I've hear JT65 (EME and HF), and PSK31 as well.

Finally, RTTY contest stats should reveal peak usage of the bands.

Some more observations:
RTTY operations can be simplex or split like in DXpeditions. That's two 
different ways of using BW.
PSK31, JT9 and JT65, although narrow BW for any one signal, tend to decode a 2-4 
kHz wide BW
simultaneously, their natural operation then requires a 2 - 4 kHz bandwidth 
segment, (depending on the RX BW),
but for multiple users. Thus, PSK31 needs a BW from, say 14.070 to 14.074 (or 
so), servicing multiple
users simultaneously. Same with JT65 and JT9: example: 14.076 to 14.080 or so.
They don't tolerate high power signals very well because of the need to "see" 
multiple users in the BW.

That's one of the complications facing any band plan.

Good luck
Kai, KE4PT

On 3/17/2014 1:56 PM, Terry wrote:
> We are slowly getting organized.   We have been flooded with personal emails
> and phone calls  and appreciate all of the comments and suggestions.   We
> are certainly open for inputs and right now the feeling is we need to unite
> and attack this in two ways:
>
>
>
> 1.       Provide  inputs for the ARRL's Band Plan.  The priority is inputs
> for the ARRL as that is under a time schedule and we have two weeks
> remaining
>
> 2.       The other avenue is education.   Here are the proposed  pieces:
>
> a.       Develop a white paper on both the engineering and deployment flaws
> of Winlink and other automated digital packet robots.  We have a  two page
> draft but its need inputs from experts who can make it technically correct
> and polish it up.
>
> b.      Develop a white paper on potential interference from RM-11708 and
> why it needs to be sandboxed into its own sub band.   This needs development
> from the ground up.
>
> c.       Develop a short white paper documenting the percent of automated
> packet users versus legacy SSB, CW and RTTY modes.   There was a post to the
> reflector from a KH6 as I recall that had some numbers.  That needs to be
> documented with supporting data and published.
>
> d.      Develop a Power Point presentation along  the lines of "Spectral
> Defense - Dangers from Within".     There we talk about the bottom end of 40
> meters that's shared between CW, RTTY and SSB and talk about the
> interference to the FT5 DX-Expedition by unattended packet.   Then follow up
> a view of the spreadsheet shows the "mine field" of unattended packet
> stations that are there and just waiting to QRM you.   Other slides would
> discuss the bending of the rules / legality,  Spectrum grab,  IARU concerns
> about automated robot spectrum grab, a slide from a Emergency Coordinator
> that rejected Winlink for his two Texas counties due to speed, and the
> request for 15% of the spectrum band.
>
> e.      We also need a 5 minute u-tube video demonstrating Winlink showing
> that it takes 5 minutes of actual air time to transmit a simple one line
> message.
>
>
>
> After the education content is complete, we need help from everyone on this
> reflector to share the educational information with ARRL officials, other
> reflectors, clubs and anyone who will listen.    I have requested a slot to
> do a presentation at the Central Texas DX and Contest Club and also plan do
> a presentation at the Temple Amateur Radio Club.  I am scheduled for a 30
> minute talk at HamComm hamfest in Dallas on N1MM Contesting Software and
> I'll certainly hijack a few minutes out of that talk to discuss the above
> content and concerns and how folks can help.
>
>
>
> In the last few days, there has been daily calls with John Stratton - ARRL
> Vice Director West Gulf Division.   The information is also being passed to
> our Director.  With the proper content we can start a education program with
> all league officials expressing all of our  concerns.     We have good data,
> we have the majority we just need to organize and get the word out.
>
>
>
> We need volunteers to help on the white papers.   I have someone in mind
> that not only has superior technical skills but is also  well  respected
> both at ARRL HQ and across the world.   I sure hope he volunteers.
>
>
>
> There are a few ideas that we consider nuclear options that are definitely
> off the table for now.  There are other thoughts and  ideas are coming in
> that are very useful.    Thanks for all of the inputs.
>
>
>
>
>
> Terry AB5K
>
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