[VHFcontesting] [VHF] Beacon Subbands and CW

[Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO]

I agree. All this debate is typical of a solution in search of a problem --  
including the idea of moving the calling frequency up-band from 50125 (the 
boundary between the DX window and the rest of the band). Does it "make 
sense" to have the national calling frequency on the edge of the DX window? 
No, probably not... But is it actually a problem? I've been entirely focused 
on 6 meters for 7 years now, and I submit it is NOT a problem in any way I 
can discern. In fact, I think it works very well where it is. I think having 
it on the edge of the DX window makes it somewhat less likely for people to 
use it as a run frequency during contests (though inevitably some people 
still do that).

The DX window does not need to be any bigger than it is. I assume more 
signals can be heard there during an EU opening from the east coast than 
what I hear from New Mexico, but I doubt there is excessive crowding going 
on. Same with the de facto CW sub-band (50080 to 50100). CW takes up almost 
zero bandwidth, if you have a decent down-conversion receiver with narrow 
1st IF filters, like a K3.

If and when we get to the point where 6 meter activity doubles or triples 
from where it is today (wouldn't that be great!), or if we actually get F2 
this solar cycle (looks doubtful based on current predictions), maybe the 
world as a whole ought to revisit the 6m band plan in a more formal way. But 
for now, even with this very good Es season now under way, I just don't see 
a problem here.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Crownhaven" <crownhaven at bellsouth.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 10:59 AM
To: "Tom Kramer" <tkramer at azci.net>
Cc: "Chuck Carpenter" <w5usj at 9plus.net>; "David All" <n3xudfm19 at gmail.com>; 
"vhf" <vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu>; "vhf contesting" 
<vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHF] Beacon Subbands and CW

> This activity is pretty unusual.  Getting everyone to change would be a 
> nightmare.  Let Darwin's Law take its course.
>
> Steve, N4JQQ, EM55
>
> On 6/20/2010 11:16 AM, Tom Kramer wrote:
>> IMHO, I think it is time ARRL and/or others take a stand and strongly 
>> recommend a new "calling frequency" maybe 50.175 or .200 as some have 
>> suggested.  That in turn can widen out the DX window as well.  Wait, do 
>> "donkeys fly?", ain't gonna happen
>> NQ7R
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Carpenter" <w5usj at 9plus.net>
>> To: "David All" <n3xudfm19 at gmail.com>
>> Cc: "vhf" <vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu>; "vhf contesting" 
>> <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 3:22 AM
>> Subject: [VHF] Beacon Subbands and CW
>>
>>
>>> Seems that some folks new to the 6 meter band are not aware of the 
>>> beacon
>>> subbands.  ARRL does not show the international beacon subband in their
>>> published band plan.
>>>
>>> International beacons are from 50.0 to 50.060
>>>
>>> US beacons are from  50.060 to 50.080
>>>
>>> The CW band is from 50.080 to 50.10
>>>
>>> Although it's legal to operate CW anyplace in the band, the beacon 
>>> subbands
>>> should be avoided for QSOs.  You could mess up an important propagation
>>> beacon...8^)
>>>
>>> DX window is from 50.1 to 50.125 and etc.
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>