From: clemon@lemsys.UUCP (Craig Lemon VE3XCL)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: 430 mhz band under th (now private/closed repeaters)
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1993 16:02:21 EST
Distribution: world
Organization: Private UUCP "Twig" Node
X-Newsreader: Arn V1.00

In article <C06ys7.5po@iat.holonet.net>, Bob Wilkins n6fri writes:

> phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin) writes:
> 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.

        This whole argument (I don't mean discussion, I mean the
previoiusly mentioned point).  I followup seen later says "Why should I buy
new transceivers because all the other pairs are tied up with inactive
machines".  I agree with that too.  I agree that there is a place for
closed systems.  "private" systems..well.. they seem s little stuck up to
me.  But that's another story.  The problem I have is when closed/open
ratios get too large.  When I look through the repeater directory's
California section I get sick to my stomach.  This is REDICULOUS!  There is
NO spectrum left for a well-meaning ham who wants to set up and OPEN
machine for people to USE.  1240 and 902 might have lots of bandspace but
they have few USERS, the people that make the repeater work.  If I were to
set up a repeater, it would be open (at least after standard repeater
functions were debugged ie. courtesy tone, timeouts etc...).  I am planning
to start up a privately _owned_, homebrew repeater (commercial radios,
homebrew controller).  I have no money now (UNiversity student) but I'm
watching for older equipment I can afford.  When I set this up, I will be
trying to get the best site, the best radios, the highest sensitivity
etc..etc... FOR ALL THE HAMS IN THE AREA.  This includes 144/440 bands
(with optional link) and possibly 6 and 220 sometime.  This would be a
system setup to "kick butt" shall we say and to provide a solid,
full-featured repeater that someone actually cares about (unlike some of
the local club-owned repeaters) to ensure that it stays operational.  If I
were in California (thank God I'm not) the closed/open ratio and the sheer
number of repeater would prevent me from doing this service to ALL Hams.

        In summary, my biggest beef is the TERRIBLE closed/open ratio I've
seen.  If the ratio weren't so bad, I wouldn't have such a problem with it.

--
 Craig Lemon VE3XCL (Advanced) - Kitchener, Ontario. +1 519 741 0297
 clemon@lemsys.UUCP clemon%lemsys@xenitec.on.ca  | 1B Electrical Engineering
 TCP/IP: ve3xcl@ve3xcl.ampr.org [44.135.84.51]   |  University of Waterloo
 AX.25 Packet: ve3xcl@ve3euk.#SWON.ON.CAN.NA     | Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA