Compromise bill completed Thursday by Congress Will Auction Public Airwaves

[NN5NN]

I have to back up YW's contention, whether it be opinion or fact.
Money talks, and I won't cite the rest of the popular phrase here.

Do you recall the takeaway of the portion of 220Mhz-225Mhz?
Yes, it finally gave ham radio primary usage of, I think, 3 Mhz of it, but
UPS got at least 2Mhz. Because there was so little surplus equipment
available for that specific portion of spectrum, that seemed a discouragement
to use it.

Furthermore, a portion of 1.2Ghz was taken away for usage within the GPS
for their military specification, although I can't say for certain if that band was
primary usage by radio amateurs.

p.s., 70cm is still secondary usage for radio amateurs in America. Just Sayin & 73s
Mark NN5NN

[W3RXO]

I have, for about 3-4 years now, been of the belief, that all VHF+ amateur bands will be restricted to narrow band/digital formats, much like has been done to TV, Public Safety, Cellular phones and, I believe, even Marine radio, has gone all digital. I seem to remember reading an article, where the Coast Guard will no longer be monitoring the old analog VHF frequencies, and have switched to all digital marine radios. It is inevitable, that as the demand grows, since the spectrum is NOT infinite, we will be forced int more and more narrowly defined portions of the spectrum.
We can fight all we want, and we can support lobbying organizations 100%, and spend MILLIONS, upon millions, of our dollars, but all we are going to be able to do, is manage the inevitable damage. There are 700,000 of us, and maybe another (let's be generous here) 300,000 who understand us and what we do, but that's just 1 million, out of a nation of 600 million people, all, wanting more and more convenience, and portable wireless gadgets. thats a ratio of 599 to 1, Who do you believe is going to win that battle.
I'm not saying it's right, and I'm not advocating taking away our spectrum, I simply believe it is inevitable that it WILL happen, eventually, and we, as hams, who have been responsible for the advancement of so much technology, need to stop being mired in the past. We can be reverent of the past, as I am (I AM a boatanchor kind of guy), and still embrace new technologies, like P25 and D-Star, especially for the VHF and up frequencies. But, once they take what they want there, you can bet, the HF bands will be next.
WE NEED TO SHOW GOOD USE FOR, AND PROPER MANAGEMENT OF, THOSE BANDS WE ARE CURRENTLY ALLOCATED. STOP THE SPECTRUM HOGGING, ON 2 METERS AND 70 CENTIMETERS, AND BEGIN TO USE THOSE BANDS MORE EFFECTIVELY. START USING 222 MHZ AND 50 MHZ MORE, AND QUIT CROWDING EACH OTHER, ON THE MORE POPULAR SEGMENTS OF THE POPULAR BANDS.
We have spectrum hogs, who have multiple, linked repeaters, on different bands, on the same hilltop, with several other overlapping repeaters, that give the same coverage, in various parts of the country. WHY, does anyone need 70+, intertied repeaters blanketing a state/region, with much of it overlapping other repeaters covering the same area, if not for some sick form of self gratification? Why, is the 70 CM band so tied up, with private and closed repeaters, in populated areas, that it is difficult, and often nearly impossible, to put up a new digital repeater? Why are there so many 2 meter repeaters, in populated areas, sitting dormant, for YEARS on end, when there are long lists of people who would like to put up a repeater, that will actually get some use, in that same area?
We are dealing with crony favoritism, when it comes to the feckless and ineffective band coordinating organizations, and those eunuchs of coordinators, are going to cost us, a great deal of spectrum, if they do not begin managing it more efficiently and effectively.

[K7BRY]

Just think, all this spectrum available, but who is going to be the main users. President Obama's strategy is to make broadband available to everyone in the CONUS. What's next, is there a new entitlement program, providing computers to all at taxpayer expense? One wonders.........

Just think, all this spectrum available, but who is going to be the main users. President Roosevelt's strategy was to make electricity available to rural and remote areas, in fact, to everyone in the CONUS. What was next, was there a new entitlement program, providing lightbulbs to all at taxpayer expense? One wonders.......

Actually, we don't have to wonder. FDR brought us into the 20th century by bringing us universal electricity. (See: Rural Electrification.) The current government might bring us into the 21st century by bringing universal communications to all. Neither plan will provide the computers or the lightbulbs, though. Both plans did or will bring us things that are universally necessary for modern life, but we will still be responsible for making use if it.

Now, if the government wanted to offer me a fancy new HF transceiver to replace the one I have now, How could I ever turn that down.....

[W3RXO]

Now, if the government wanted to offer me a fancy new HF transceiver to replace the one I have now, How could I ever turn that down.....

Real easy, just tell them you don't agree with welfare programs.

[WY4J]

I know I will catch some flack for speaking my mind.....Just like everything else, our great hobby is becoming as charged and politically divided as every thing has in this country. I have enjoyed this hobby for almost 40 years and I do not believe politics should play a part in amateur radio. My parents taught me to stay away from politics and religion as very controversial topics that will only bring discord and ill feelings among friends. As a ham radio newbie back in the 70's I never heard my fellow hams condemning other hams or other nationalities. Stop-by 20 or 80 meters and you will hear ignorant U.S. hams interfering and using profanity to drive away hams in other countries speaking their native languages. Do Italians hams have the right to speak in their native language? Do hams in Puerto Rico have the right to speak Spanish form their own soil? How about Germans and Swedes just to name a few? I hear hate speech on the air whether is directed toward the government, the president, African Americans and now more than ever Hispanics. Our politicians know how to drive a wedge for their own benefit and they have become masters of their craft. We should not be so ignorant as to fall for their cheap tricks. We are not a mob, we as Amateur radio operators are better class than that! Finally the operators of this web site should not take political sides in a debate that will only damage our hobby. God bless ham radio! God bless the United States of America.

[W3RXO]

Finally the operators of this web site should not take political sides in a debate that will only damage our hobby. God bless ham radio! God bless the United States of America.

It seems to me, that by deleting posts, due to being partisan, politically, IS the operators of QRZ, trying not only to BE politically neutral, but enforce it on the members of the site, as well. As it should be. Governmental politics has a time and place, for discussion, and partisanship is simply conviction, in one's beliefs, regardless of their side. But, when political type games are played, that effect the hams of one nation, those hams need to speak up, and act in accord, with the best interests, of amateur radio, to protect our great hobby. Discussing this issue, is walking the fine line, because it DOES involve politics, and therefore, partisanship will come into play, as each side wants to believe that THEY are on the right side of the issue.
Personally, as much as I love politics, and the political struggle, I'd LOVE to see this issue settled, without partisan politics rearing it's ugly head. But, alas, that is simply impossible. Each side, is looking for as much political advantage, as they can obtain, and wishing for partisanship to be set aside, is a bit "Pollyanna-ish". It is human nature to want to triumph over the opposition.

[WY4J]

If I may correct myself for misspeaking. As my parents taught me; politics and religion are fuel for arguments and discords. At least for me a hobby is something I do for pleasure. While reading the paper or watching the news is something I do to test my cardiovascular system. If I spent thousands on equipment is not to get on the air and argue politics or insult others because of the color of their skin, religion, national origin or what part of the world they have to live. All I want is to enjoy the hobby. Not to beat a dead horse bu I just don't feel that ham radio or ham radio sites should dabble in politics. Most corporations and non profits stay away from controversy for this same reason. My other hobby which I am very passionate about is firearms. No politics spoken here as we are all armed and better yet all discussions are done face to face. Funny how brave men can be when they can hide behind a keyboard or the metal inside a car put them face to face with a shotgun in their hands and you can feel the love just pouring out.

I've said what's on my minds so.....peace out.

[W7RBH]

I believe we might want to lobby, or support ARRL if they feel so inclined, for a Band of "Set Aside" frequencies (VHF/UHF/SHF/+), in a manner similar to the National Park System, which has designated "Wilderness" areas. This set aside would ensure the availability of bandwidth for licensed amateurs to "experiment" and perfect their craft or hobby. How many of us pursued technical fields for our livelihood; fueled by our imagination brought about by this hobby. If anyone knows how to get this movement going let me know. The ARRL, like 'em or not, are the only band of well organized hams who have our "basic" interests at heart, and they (we) have the established voice with far fewer doors to go through to reach the FCC. The "set aside" theory would not be contingent upon usage, but available for the masses who want to use the frequencies bad enough to achieve license status.

It would be great to have everyone use the frequencies to document our perceived need to sustain our hobby; nevertheless, I believe this is where we as amateurs can show how the stimulation of this particular hobby has brought nothing but good for the masses through our volunteer work and selfless endeavors.

"To Dwell On What Is Obscures What Could Be" sk - Bob

[W1YW]

I believe we might want to lobby, or support ARRL if they feel so inclined, for a Band of "Set Aside" frequencies (VHF/UHF/SHF/+), in a manner similar to the National Park System, which has designated "Wilderness" areas. This set aside would ensure the availability of bandwidth for licensed amateurs to "experiment" and perfect their craft or hobby. How many of us pursued technical fields for our livelihood; fueled by our imagination brought about by this hobby. If anyone knows how to get this movement going let me know. The ARRL, like 'em or not, are the only band of well organized hams who have our "basic" interests at heart, and they (we) have the established voice with far fewer doors to go through to reach the FCC. The "set aside" theory would not be contingent upon usage, but available for the masses who want to use the frequencies bad enough to achieve license status.

It would be great to have everyone use the frequencies to document our perceived need to sustain our hobby; nevertheless, I believe this is where we as amateurs can show how the stimulation of this particular hobby has brought nothing but good for the masses through our volunteer work and selfless endeavors.

"To Dwell On What Is Obscures What Could Be" sk - Bob

Bob,

ALL of our frequencies are essentially such 'set asides'. But your point is well taken: how do we encourage use of frequencies that presently are lying essentially fallow? Like 3300-3500 MHz?

73,
Chip W1YW

[W7RBH]

Bob,

ALL of our frequencies are essentially such 'set asides'. But your point is well taken: how do we encourage use of frequencies that presently are lying essentially fallow? Like 3300-3500 MHz?

73,
Chip W1YW

Of course you are correct, and in an idealistic world our allocations might be able to survive; but, I'm thinking more on the "National Treasure" level status :-) It would be disingenuous of me to make suggestions for remedies, especially ones for which I have contributed little. We have many opportunities with seemingly little interest, especially in the current culture of spending virtually all our waking moments keeping our noses above water. As a youngster who was licensed at the tender age of 10, I was very active until I was 20. Then I joined the Navy to keep my boots "off the ground," so to speak. I operated in many locations around the globe, but couldn't pursue the hobby as I wanted. Now, semi-retired, my HOA would strenuously object to my antenna farm of choice. Perhaps us high-density-population dwellers should unite to form a network-controlled and shared community station of sorts: this might add to the spectrum use. Speaking of HOAs, I recently received a ticket for leaving my garbage can out too long (1 day). Thanks for your reply and thoughts - regards, Bob Hanshaw