Truck Drivers taking over lower 10 meters!

[N8JE]

Truck Drivers taking over lower 10 meters!

#I have recently been hearing more and more AM radio transmissions from truck drivers and other individuals on the lower end of the amateur ten meter band. Listening around 28.085.5 one would get the impression that these frequencies are the new CB radio channel 19. I do not know if this is ignorance on there part or not, but these are still unlicensed and illegal radio transmissions. And, they’re proliferating like mad. Maybe the users think that this is part of a NEW CB radio band? #Illegal users also seem to think that any amateur radio beacons they happen to hear are other stations trying to interfere with them. #In order to be heard OVER the beacon transmissions, they increase their output power and cause harmful interference to LEGAL transmissions.

I think the FCC should start exercising their enforcement of the Communications Act and begin levying large fines to the companies and the individuals that use our precious frequencies illegally. Simply sending them a warning is obviously not working. If ignored, illegal users will outnumber those of us who use this band legally. And, we all know what happens when a group of individuals, right or wrong, who become the majority. The end result will be the loss of more bandwidth for radio amateurs.

As a former truck driver, I can personally attest that the illegal radios and linear amplifiers being used on our frequencies illegally are being sold at truck stops and CB shops all over the US. My question is, can’t the FCC take some positive action and begin leveling substantial fines against these illegal users and those that sell them their gear? Or, are we as radio amateurs, legally licensed to operate on 10 meters, to small of a group to warrant protection of our resources under the current law.

Our ten-meter band will soon be opening to some great propagation. If this trend continues, we will loose yet more of our precious spectrum to illegal “squatters”. Do you think they will be satisfied with a few extra kilohertz?

Jim Ebner N8JE

This is a MAJOR problem...... I totally agree that the FCC should do some major enforcement.

and it probably would not hurt to get a signed petition or something signed by a lot of Ham Operators and send it to the FCC to let them know that we want our band back and to get the "truckers" off of 10 meters. I know some time back(few years) I encountered these truckers talking there. I knew it was not my place to really say anything to them and not be licensed to talk on 10m, I did anyway. I identified my station and told them that they were talking illegally and that I was on the phone with the FCC. After a few minutes of them giving me the bussiness they were gone.

So, I think that we all should for a letter and or petition for the FCC to do something about it

Eric-KB8UYC

[KB7AQD]

Use it or lose it! I am getting a ten meter antenna for my rig, and will look for CW ops in OUR subbands. CW has no problem cutting through at all.

Reminded me of a 10M FM simplex pileup while I was running the W7ASC Arizona Science Center demonstration station. I called CQ on 29.600 MHz simplex, then told everyone to QSY to 29.280 FM simplex to work me. When the stations thinned out, I returned to 29.600 MHz.

As the pileup thinned, I heard a weak and plaintive cry, "Hey Science Center? It's me...."

I replied, "QRZ? This is W7ASC, the Arizona Science Center, in Phoenix, AZ. What is your call?"

He proudly replied, "UNIT 228 Caribbean! Roger Dodger Ten Four Good Buddy! You are really pounding the needle here..."

I replied, "CQ CQ CQ from W7ASC, looking for LICENSED AMATEUR radio stations..." and simply left our friend "Unit 228" to wonder why I was ignoring him. He chased me back to 29.600 MHz, then tried USB, LSB and even AM, demanding I give a signal report. He left.

I did not answer directly. That's illegal. But, I did specify "licensed amateur radio stations" afterward, and had no problem from any wayward freebanders.

Use the freebanders for propagation opening indicators, instead of arguing with them If only more hams used 10M, even when we think it's dead, then there won't be room for the freebanders.

Call CQ near 28058 in CW, and many FISTS stations monitor there. Pop in DSP and a narrow audio filter, and the freebanders will seem to vanish. Consider them a noise source like lightning or fluorescent lights, and filter them accordingly.

73
KB7AQD
Robert in Phoenix, AZ

Ten Ten 44932
FISTS 3478