Yes, a very interesting article. If you think about this as a 3-dimensional "space" with frequency on one axis, time on another orthogonal axis, and location/area on the third axis orthogonal to the other two; you can easily visualize how vulnerable our amateur allocations are compared to other services i.e. broadcasters or Wi-Fi. Perhaps we should make a special effort to rally the amateurs in Seattle, Redmond, and Washington DC to activate our Microwave bands with high bandwidth modes and long "rag-chews". Otherwise the Microsoft data will show some "un-used" amateur allocations. It's a bit like putting your thumb in the crack in the dyke - I know. Rod, K0DAS Midwest Div Vice-Director ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Imlay To: arrl-odv@arrl.org Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 7:36 AM Subject: [arrl-odv:21252] Interesting Article about spectrum shortages andthe National Broadband Plan I thought the article below to be quite interesting in numerous respects relative to our spectrum protection efforts. Of course, the thrust of the article, that there is no spectrum shortage but inefficient deployment of spectrum (and spectrum "hoarding") could be used against us, we have arguments to parry that thrust. What is of some concern, however is the fact that Microsoft is doing on-air monitoring for underutilized spectrum. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/507486/the-spectrum-crunch-that-never-r... 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD@ARRL.ORG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

Chris and all: Thanks for pointing us to the article. It is a good reminder of the need to follow through on the information developed by the NPB committee. I know the EC is continuting to work on that project as part of our ongoing spectrum protection efforts. Kudos to them. The other side of the equation is the need for amateurs to more actively use that spectrum. KØDAS's suggestion to encourage VHF/UHF and above entusiasts in the Seattle and Redmond areas to consider ramping up activity is a good start. (Perhaps hams in the DC area, which is another Microsoft listening post should be equally prodded). The bottom line is that though we have traditionally taken the position that we aren't willing to concede a single Hertz, if the spectrum isn't being used................... Well, we all know the answer. 73, Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Chris Imlay Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 7:37 AM To: arrl-odv@arrl.org Subject: [arrl-odv:21252] Interesting Article about spectrum shortages and the National Broadband Plan I thought the article below to be quite interesting in numerous respects relative to our spectrum protection efforts. Of course, the thrust of the article, that there is no spectrum shortage but inefficient deployment of spectrum (and spectrum "hoarding") could be used against us, we have arguments to parry that thrust. What is of some concern, however is the fact that Microsoft is doing on-air monitoring for underutilized spectrum. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/507486/the-spectrum-crunch-that-never-r eally-was/ 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD@ARRL.ORG