From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy
Subject: Re: ARRL Plan - The next step?
Date: 27 Jul 92 05:30:55 GMT
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Gannett Technologies Group

In article <pschleck.712155075@cwis> pschleck@cwis.unomaha.edu (Paul W Schleck KD3FU) writes:
>gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman) writes:
>
>>In article <Jul.24.14.02.24.1992.26406@pilot.njin.net> ron@pilot.njin.net (Ron Natalie) writes:
>
>>>First:  The ARRL themselves have been one of the prime offenders of
>>>contrary to good amateur practice in the 14.07 to 14.15 MHz digital
>>>zone.  It was only a few years ago that they decided to pay attention
>>>to the band plan that they themselves proposed and move the automated
>>>CW transmissions off the AMTOR calling frequency.  They're broadcast
>>>transmissions still rarely pay much attention to existing
>>>communications on the frequency.
>
>>I'd say they pay *no* attention to existing QSOs, they just fire up
>>and blare away without regard for prior channel occupancy. Sometimes
>>the skip is such that they *can't* tell that the frequency is in use,
>>and that's excusable, but most of the time they just don't listen at
>>all. That's contrary to good amateur practice.
>
>Well, to be fair, the nature of scheduled, multi-channel bulletins is such
>that you just have to fire up the transmissions (which *ARE* announced
>in advance, please no flame wars about frequency "ownership.)
>
>What would you have the W1AW operator do, get on the 5 (or 7) channels
>that the bulletins are starting up on, see if they're in use and ASK
>PERMISSION to use the frequencies?  Not only would the bulletins be always
>starting 20-25 minutes late, but it leaves open the possibility of the
>stations on channel not consenting to move.  What do you do then, QSY up
>or down and cause potential bulletin listeners to have to hunt around,
>also wasting time?  What happens if he clears, say, 40 meters for use,
>goes to 20 to get permission, and another QSO starts up on 40 in the
>meantime?

He can start his bulletin transmission on each frequency as he clears
it for use. So what it all the broadcasts don't start at exactly the
same time, he isn't running punched tape. W1AW is a computer controlled
broadcast operation with commercial broadcast transmitters. There was
an article in QST on their new setup. Notably missing from the article
was any mention of *receivers*. Note that the result of firing up on
top of an existing QSO is that *none* of the stations are copyable,
unless they want to engage in a power war. We have too much of that
as it is.

>I think the ARRL does a good (and sometimes thankless) job with their
>schedule of bulletins and code practice and are trying to do what's best
>all around.

I too think the ARRL broadcasts provide a good service, but they shouldn't
be conducting broadcasts on the amateur bands. I know they weaseled the
FCC into giving them a waiver that has also allowed abominations like
K1MAN to operate broadcast stations in the amateur bands, but that still
doesn't make it wise. They should get a regular SW broadcast license like
any other commercial operation and send their bulletins there.

Gary KE4ZV
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.policy