From: bwilkins@iat.holonet.net (Bob Wilkins n6fri)
Subject: Re: 430 mhz band under th (now private/closed repeaters)
Organization: the cAVe group
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1993 20:12:06 GMT

phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin) writes:
: 
: I don't understand this.  I don't have any objection to limiting
: the control functions to sysops, but if using the system in the
: ordinary way requires a lot of special training, you need to do
: some work on the user interface as well as all the gizmos.
: Even if the uses of the machine are so weird that most hams
: couldn't deal with it, why should the machine not still be open
: to anyone who can show they know how to use it?

Well take a listen to your typical closed system. It is really a special
interest group. The local DX club runs a closed repeater, they only talk
about dx, it is their intercom. Do they really want to hear about the
latest game software for amiga ? I think not ! :> Some repeaters are comm
channels for a packet network, etc. All of these special interest groups
are open to new members, if you show an interest. Check out your local
open repeaters, they usually dont limit the content of conversations, some
even allow rag-chew. Most limit access of features to members.
: 
:    Of course, such a system is so far beyond the comprehension of most ham
:    appliance operators, it's not surprising people arguing here aren't
:    taking this kind of experimentation into consideration.  To most
:    of these people, a repeater is just a range extender that has beeps,
:    boops, and maybe has a poor substitute for a cell-phone.
: 
:    You can't do this kind of experimentation in any of the commercial services.
:    Are we really supposed to take those suggestions seriously?

Right  the commercial services have no spectrum for experimental services.
That is why they were able to get the 215 -222 spectrum allocated for a
new type of service. 

: 
: My own sour feeling about closed repeaters comes from the spectrum
: shortage they create, which makes it *difficult* to put up experimental
: repeaters.  I'm personally somewhat interested in putting up experimental
: packet repeaters (open, of course).  But most closed repeaters are
: just appliances as you describe.  In addition to tying up spectrum
: space, they also fragment the ham community by isolating the
: users of the different closed repeaters from each other.

There is no spectrum shortage. Packet has not even began to use the
frequencies that local coordinators and the arrl spectrum usage committees
have recommended for packet and digital usage. Look at 902 and 1240 there
is plenty of spectrum.

Your wanting to put up an experimental packet repeater in a crowded
spectrum is interesting. Why not try spread spectrum on 902 . Prove it
works and the ham community will beat a path to your door. You say no one
is on 902 ..ok link it down to a 2meters packet gateway ..show them that
there is something there. The local dx packet spotting network ran out of
spectrum on 2meters and found that 1240 works just fine. The users can
talk on 2meters without bothering their packet connection on 1240 as was
the case when they connected on 2meters.

If the amateur community does not use the vast amount of spectrum on the
upper bands , we may find that the commercial services can and will
petition the commission for spectrum releif. You dont want to use 1240, ok
there are several well funded commercial services that would love to set
up a mobile sattellite service and rake in the bucks. They have no
spectrum for that now.

-- 
Bob Wilkins    n6fri          voice 440.250+ 100pl san francisco bay area
bwilkins@holonet.net          packet n6fri @ w6pw.#nocal.ca.us
 
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