Basically, I think it's a great idea. However... Before we leap we should spend some time thinking about unintended consequences. For example, if we were to populate 27850 to 28000 with digital, where would the freebanders go? If they were to move up above 28000, which is the obvious direction for them to move, our bad situation there might well become even worse. It isn't enough to say that we don't care because they're illegal anyway. They're there, and so far as I can tell, the FCC (or ARRL) has no real plan to oust the intruders we already have above 28000. 73. Jim, W6CF W5JBP@aol.com wrote:

I guess by now you know that I can come up with some interesting stuff from time to time so here is my latest.

You know that we have two ad-hoc committees working on high speed data, and digital voice. I read both reflectors and have watched the progress of both committees.

What I am proposing is this: File for 150 kHz starting at 27.850 and ending at 28.000. This would be for digital ONLY to experiment and use some new technology. In addition to Clover, Pactor III there is some interest in 56 Kb which can be up to 50Kc wide. I would ask that the experiments be by band width only and again, digital only.

I have done some preliminary checking with the NTIA and the FCC. There are some assignments there but we think most are paper assignments rather than actual uses. I know of one that I mentioned to the NTIA which was an old Coast Guard frequency that I used to use many years ago. It was issued in 1962 and as far as we can tell the Coast Guard Auxiliary no longer uses it but prefers VHF. The FCC reaction was favorable as I thought it might be, as it would partly solve the free bander problem they have suffered with for years.

So, board, what say? The worst thing is that we will be told no, the best thing is we just might get something.

73

Jim Haynie, W5JBP