144 to 148 is important to hams. This is the backbone of amateur radio. It is where most of us start and a super handy band for meeting new friends and keeping in touch with current friends. Thank you Dave for you time on this video Mike N6IMY
@@richardnorwood5651 I live near Russian border. Russian public radio still uses band 66-73 MHz for broadcasting(, new commercial stations use 87,5-108 MHz band). That is why we are not allowed to use 4m band in about 50 km wide zone near the border.
Great info about the 2m band, Dave! Minor quibble with the 'controversy' ... the proposed spectrum reallocation in Europe is not to alleviate crowing in the aviation segment. The proposal was developed by an organization who wants to assure there is spectrum available for control of (and data transfer to and from) unmanned aircraft, an organization who, not coincidentally, is a drone manufacturer.
Thanks very much for the very detailed explanation of the use and issues relating to the 2 metre band in America. / Colorado. 73 Dave VK5FBBQ, Adelaide, South Australia.
I went on vacation last July and made contact with your group, logged in and joined in the rag chew for a couple of days, my daughter lives in Denver, you guys have a great 👍 group up there, keep up the good work KN6GZP DAVE.
Hi there Dave, M0RAY in Sittingbourne, Kent, England, UK, here. We have spoken before today since you made this video. As you are probably aware by now we have 144 > 147 MHz for 2 Mtrs now, with the 147 MHz section only usable for Experimental research operations, And, depending on where we live. A look on our RSGB website which you are also probably aware of shows all of our UK bandplans. From what you have Beautifully described here gives me the impression that a UK FM 2Mtrs radio will be of no use to me in the USA because the relevant FM calling frequency is 145.500 MHz with our FM simplex channels from around 154.300 to 145.600 MHz where our 2 Mtrs repeater outputs start. 145.800 to 146 MHz as you may be aware of is for Amateur Satalite & Space coms working. So my question is, can you please simplify what I will be able to do with a UK 2Mtrs FM handset in the USA. I have a good lady friend from the UK living in Katey, Houston, Texas, who I intend to visit in the new year around March 2021. If that's not too far from you Dave, it would be great to be able to visit you personally while I'm staying in Katey. I believe that you are somewhere in Dallas Collarardo, & my Geography being poor as it is, I've no idea how far that you are from where I'm hopefully going to next March, COVID19 conditions permitting. Cheers for now Dave, Ray, M0RAY.
Great video. I found SERA.org, South eastern relay association, has band utilization plans on its website. Dave, you've been in the hobby long enough to maybe shed some light on this question. Why is there a disconnect between the band privileges for Technician operators and the radios that you can buy? Why does no one make a 6m-70cm all modes radio? If you're a Tech and want to use 6m USB you would either have to pay more than a thousand dollars for a radio, with the exception of a couple mobile radios, that will have USB for vhf and uhf or I can buy a radio that covers all of hf +6m that could only be used for 6m. That has always frustrated me because I don't get too excited about getting on local repeaters but I do get excited about trying different things and with fm only one would be quite limited. Great videos!
Whether the radio is 6 meters or 80 meters, the guts of the radio are largely the same. A few HF radios intended for Generals also cover VHF/UHF, but not many. I've wondered why Icom's new 9300 doesn't cover 6 and 220. I think most companies feel the Techs just go for FM and then will upgrade when they get their General.
I stepped away from ham radio about 17-20 years ago so I did not get acclimated to slow changes in activity. 2 meter FM repeater activity is absolutely dead compared to 20 years ago, at least here in Greater Cincinnati. I bought a Radioddity GD-77 because I liked the feel of it in my hand, the size fit right (unlike the Baofeng which was way to small and looked like a toy), and it seemed a bit more durable than the other Chinese handhelds. I programmed in every repeater in the area. In two weeks time I might have heard four QSOs and these were people who knew each other, not someone answering a listening call. Many, many times I put out listening calls to no avail. I am a security guard and Uber driver and need something to keep me occupied in the long stretches of dead time, so I gave up and bought a Jumbo Spot and set it up for mobile and portable use. I know there is more satellite stuff going on now than 20 years ago, but that can in no way make up for the decline in FM repeater use. 20 years ago I could find someone to rag chew on 2 meters with no matter what time day or night. That isn't true anymore.
The interplay of politics, technology, and usage is fascinating... being a former member of the Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, our club was attacked by other members when we started using YSF and Wires-X. Now it's interesting how the use of hotspots like Openspot are becoming more popular to avoid all the politics BS.
Nicely done Dave. Every club needs to take their new Techs aside and have them view this in a "now what do I do?" class. On a side note, you are looking much healthier. Thanks again for all you do. 73 KE0JVS
Thanks Dave. Great video as always. I'd love to see 70cm and 6m next. When you cover, can you discuss the unique propagation that comes with that band? N1CLC
Do Hams in practice follow the band plan? I've seen Hams not follow it. What is best practice in educating our Ham community when we see Hams not following the band plan? In particular, what is the language that we should use.
Following the band plan is "best practice" and the "state of the radio art." Ham Radio is supposed to be self-regulating. Now that the Volunteer Monitors program is getting started, that will be the way to go to corral the wild sheep.
David Casler the VM program isn’t going to accomplish anything. The ARRL doesn’t seem to know what they want to do with it. All a VM can do is make a recommendation to the ARRL and they might make a recommendation to the FCC who might go and investigate it all over again, which they don’t have the people for.
Dave...thank you so much for this video! I want to keep my hard won 2 Meter privileges! I don’t want them to go the way of the 220 band...I’s sharing this video & your ARRL advice on Twitter & LinkedIn...KC4BMG...73!
Talking about Europe.. How many times you turn on 2m ssb and hear anyone there except on contests...almost never. Why this band is today less in use comparing with 70s and 80s? What circumstances cause that this wonderful band become dead and become a pray for government to take it away? It is on us hams to make it alive again and to use as well as we use 14mhz. This is an interesting subject Dave for your next show.
Dave I have a question for you. I will be in Colorado the last part of August and all over the state. I always like to go to Mt. Evans and I am wondering if there is a 2 mtr simplex freq that the mountain topper guys stay on? I have had good luck on 146.52 before but wanted to know where every one usually hung out. Thanks!! KC5ECB
I don't know--perhaps another viewer does. 146.52 is the national simplex calling frequency. Before you go mountaintopping, post your intent on the SOTA forums. (I've also been to the top of Mt. Evans the easy way, in my case on my motorcycle.)
@@BruceNitroxpro A quick glance through the 2016 ARRL repeater directory shows: Birmingham AL dstar k4dso 145.410 Lake Havisu AZ P25 k7lhc 146.700 Hopewell AR nxdn w4gxi 145.470 Chico CA dmr k6cho 146.895 Ft Collins CO dmr kt0l 147.390 Bristol CT fusion k1crc 146.880 That's just a sampling from the first few states in the book - the list goes on. This is from a 3 year old directory. There are many more digital repeaters now. Many people are converting their existing analog repeaters to digital.
From the ARRL - a national organization which represents the Amateur Community, and publishes GREAT resources like this. Check out their website ARRL.net, join and support the community!
Here in the UK unfortunately, the 2 Meter band isn't being used enough by newly licensed and already licensed Hams. This is the crux of the problem really, and why the 2 Meter band is up for grabs by the French. Unused spectrum space is an invaluable resource for commercial users who would like to grab it, stating the obvious here of course, but it really is that simple. This whole argument about inactivity on 2 Meters, has been discussed before in the past, so from what I can remember it's nothing new. When the Morse test was a requirement for going on HF here in the UK , there was plenty of activity on 2 Meters, because 2M at the time was mainly used by Class B licensees. However when the Morse test was scrapped in favour of a free for all to go on HF, things changed significantly , and from then on 2 Meter activity in the UK really began to drop off.
@@davecasler That may well be the case, amateur radio has changed as a lot over the years, and so has the propagation. However 2 Meters has really gone to pot compared to what it was around 30 years ago. That's mainly because very few hams bother to use it, as they prefer the HF bands instead. Had the Morse test still been a requirement for going on HF, I'm sure that 2 meters would be far more active now than it presently is. It's the new licensees that are missing, where are they?
The reason I don't join the ARRL is the same reason I don't donate to the Spectrum Defense Fund. I'm poor. I have a 2 m handheld, and I'm building an SDR receiver. Outside of that, I have to pay my bills. The ARRL, in both it's magazine articles and it's practices, supports people that have money, and little else. If you wonder why the hobby has become so top heavy - look there.
Well said Dave. I’ve heard the mass hysteria surrounding the potential loss of the 2M band. Of course through the magic of social media this has got everyone up in arms. You explained it very well. I do think it’s important that we guard our frequencies. Excellent way to support our hobby through the ARRL. Great work. I enjoy all your videos. Bob KC6SOT
As I rember. W8ft. Findlay ohio. Had a couple pieces of American tower, and a pair of antenna of different sizes. It went horizontal/vertical. On a pair of rotors. A computer and a pair of controllers would track. By soft ware /a target was found/ acquired. the comp did a fair job of tracking some times. Moved away still miss my first club station /w8ft. De kv4li/// for got to mention Dave (rip) had the computer. an ancient lap top and a home made controller. He would pull the manual controllers off the shelf. Then wire his. then power up the system and following instructions the antennas would dance to a tune. Then go to work. he never let it out of his sight. And when he was gone . so was his stuff and the old controller back in place . Don't blame him. a lot of effort went in to his box. 73
Too much zooming in and out gave me motion sickness :( and the European French guys coming with their motion to transfer 144-146MHz as secondary use for amateur radio ..
I tell folks about industrial interest. Wanting 220 and got it thanks to the governments help. Now 2 meter is wanted. Don't let the camel's head in the tent. You will loose. De kv4li
If they are taking our 2m band we should transmit with mobile and portable radio so they can't use the 2m band ... Imagine hundred of people transmitting on the go , that will ruin them ....
I love your channel and respect you for your knowledge but... telling people that writing to their representatives in the government doesn't fix anything is like saying don't vote. Being an immigrant, and now naturalized citizen, a candidate for a local office in this year's elections and a patriot, I want to stress to everybody that it is imperative and most important to participate in the governance of our country.
It's sadly ironic that the entire radio frequency spectrum is utilized because amateur radio operators and experimenters pioneered its use and developed the technology. Then the government and commercial operators nibble away and allow amateurs to have small portions for their own use. It's a bit like having an entire continent and then having another group lay claim to it and herd you off onto small reservations of the least desirable land. I can see why the FCC or other regulators would feel justified in reallocating amateur spectrum. 2m is one of the most popular bands but in my area, a town of 1/3 of a million people in a state of almost 4 million people, the 2m band is almost unused. You can see it on the waterfall of an SDR. It's a radio wasteland. There are the same four guys who chat on their way home from work. There is a weekly ARES net where 10 or 12 people check in and have nothing to say for 15 minutes other than thanking the net controller for doing such a great job, and a similar net for weather spotters. Probably the best way to preserve amateur frequencies for amateur use is "Use them or lose them." I'm one of the worst offenders. I enjoy the technical aspects of amateur radio but don't spend much time actually communicating with amateur radio. The plea to donate money to the AR RL Spectrum Defense Fund sounds a lot like the 2nd amendment protection racket operated by the NRA where they are the only path to Jesus. The FCC has a required notice for proposed rule making and individuals have opportunity to comment directly in opposition to reallocation of amateur frequencies.
Yep, everyone wants you to support their latest fad. But in fact, the ARRL does have a spectrum protection plan and given it's the only show in town, if that's what we want we can put our money where our mouth is.
I am not for giving any of our spectrum to a private company but when it comes to air travel safety I think I would be fine giving up some of the 2 meter band. The Tampa area is much like Colorado in that all of the band is spoken for but not used except for 1 or 2 repeaters that are barley used. I think that is because there are too many crusty old timers chasing away the young guys because they left their roger beep enabled on their new baofeng.
Hi michael. I’ve been a licensed ham for over 40 years. I still remember some crusty old guys on the local repeater who weren’t overly kind to me a young, inexperienced ham new to 2m. Fortunately, the vast majority of the ham community were friendly, welcoming, well-intentioned and generous with their time and knowledge. Don’t let a few old farts chase you away!
Tom Agoston Thanks for the kind words and i did not let them chase me away, I upgraded to extra the following month after getting my tech ticket but i do listen in from time to time on the local repeaters and i jump in when i hear one of old crusty guy start to beat up on a newbie, it just makes me really angry when i hear it, they are why the hobby is dying, 73 kk4ede
And then you have these people who insist on talking like they did on CB radio forty years ago. There's only so much that you can say to the same 3 or 4 people over and over again. After a while it just gets monotonous and boring. Old codgers want to control everything, all that does is drive everyone away.
David Branscome As far as i am concerned they can talk any way they want and use any sound effect they want so long as they keep it clean and leave out the politics
You have a better organization that lobbies for the interests of ham radio? All others have come and gone and the ARRL is still standing... they're not perfect but at least we've gotten new people in leadership to steer a new course.
I don't watch NRA commercials, so I can't comment, but I really do think we need to support the ARRL. It is the *only* viable national organization that represents hams in the US.
The League is already jinxed enough as it is... most licensed hams aren't even members isn't saying a whole lot. At least the NRA has (friendly?) competition in Gun Owners of America... what does the League have? @@davecasler
144 to 148 is important to hams. This is the backbone of amateur radio. It is where most of us start and a super handy band for meeting new friends and keeping in touch with current friends. Thank you Dave for you time on this video
Mike N6IMY
We in Europe have 144-146 NHz. French want to take this band to aeronautic use. Let's fight for our right to use this good band! 73's de Kai, OH7EML
If the government got there way. I think 4 meters might get used instead of 2 meters. That's what I think. I might be wrong. 73's 2E0FJJ
@@richardnorwood5651 I live near Russian border. Russian public radio still uses band 66-73 MHz for broadcasting(, new commercial stations use 87,5-108 MHz band). That is why we are not allowed to use 4m band in about 50 km wide zone near the border.
The French .... they did help the US gain independence.
@@richardnorwood5651 don`t put out anything unless you know its true, if you don`t it will confuse everyone and start unnecessary confusion.
Dave's got the colored drawing and everything. It's like getting taught something by your granddad.
My brain is full. So much more to this hobby than I thought when I started down this rabbit hole.
Thanks for demystifying the 2 m band, it really helps new people to the hobby, like myself.
Great info about the 2m band, Dave!
Minor quibble with the 'controversy' ... the proposed spectrum reallocation in Europe is not to alleviate crowing in the aviation segment. The proposal was developed by an organization who wants to assure there is spectrum available for control of (and data transfer to and from) unmanned aircraft, an organization who, not coincidentally, is a drone manufacturer.
Thanks for the additional insight.
Excellent presentation. The colorful band allocation chart from the ARRL is just a start.
You should make a little booklet (about 3" x 3"), 20 pages or so with your drawing. Each page could have segment of the 2 meter band. I' d buy one !
Hello Oggy wow you're doing a great job educating oldies new amateur operators thank you so much your best friend from Atlanta Georgia
70cm video next? great video! Enjoyed it KD9LOA 73
Agreed!
Great video, Dave! (Now I need to look up my local coordinator to see what I'm missing.) 73, W3IG
Thanks very much for the very detailed explanation of the use and issues relating to the 2 metre band in America. / Colorado. 73 Dave VK5FBBQ, Adelaide, South Australia.
Thank you very much for being there David I love you videos 73 I am KE0UEF
Excellent presentation that explained the band. What else I would like to see is a "How To" video on operating on FM with SSB equipment .
Well, the modes are incompatible. But there are some radios that cover HF + VHF + UHF and have both SSB and FM
I went on vacation last July and made contact with your group, logged in and joined in the rag chew for a couple of days, my daughter lives in Denver, you guys have a great 👍 group up there, keep up the good work KN6GZP DAVE.
Thanks Dave that was very informational I could have said it better myself good job
Thank you Dave for explaining the 2 meter band and clarifying the possible reallocation issue for us. Be well, Ken - KC1HRC
Always the best! Great video. Thanks so much! 73
Hi there Dave,
M0RAY in Sittingbourne, Kent, England, UK, here.
We have spoken before today since you made this video.
As you are probably aware by now we have 144 > 147 MHz for 2 Mtrs now, with the 147 MHz section only usable for Experimental research operations, And, depending on where we live. A look on our RSGB website which you are also probably aware of shows all of our UK bandplans. From what you have Beautifully described here gives me the impression that a UK FM 2Mtrs radio will be of no use to me in the USA because the relevant FM calling frequency is 145.500 MHz with our FM simplex channels from around 154.300 to 145.600 MHz where our 2 Mtrs repeater outputs start. 145.800 to 146 MHz as you may be aware of is for Amateur Satalite & Space coms working. So my question is, can you please simplify what I will be able to do with a UK 2Mtrs FM handset in the USA.
I have a good lady friend from the UK living in Katey, Houston, Texas, who I intend to visit in the new year around March 2021. If that's not too far from you Dave, it would be great to be able to visit you personally while I'm staying in Katey. I believe that you are somewhere in Dallas Collarardo, & my Geography being poor as it is, I've no idea how far that you are from where I'm hopefully going to next March, COVID19 conditions permitting.
Cheers for now Dave,
Ray,
M0RAY.
Great information Dave... THANKS
Thank you. Still studying for technical exam on 3/25.
Thank you so much for telling us how to fight for our bandwidth. (The most effective way) I never knew this.
This was a great walkthrough! Thank you.
Great video, thank you for the break down of the 2m band.
Nicely done. I'm gearing up to explore 2 meters and this was helpful.
Hey David! What about a video about 6 meter band? :)
ThankYou David!
Great video. I found SERA.org, South eastern relay association, has band utilization plans on its website. Dave, you've been in the hobby long enough to maybe shed some light on this question. Why is there a disconnect between the band privileges for Technician operators and the radios that you can buy? Why does no one make a 6m-70cm all modes radio? If you're a Tech and want to use 6m USB you would either have to pay more than a thousand dollars for a radio, with the exception of a couple mobile radios, that will have USB for vhf and uhf or I can buy a radio that covers all of hf +6m that could only be used for 6m. That has always frustrated me because I don't get too excited about getting on local repeaters but I do get excited about trying different things and with fm only one would be quite limited. Great videos!
Whether the radio is 6 meters or 80 meters, the guts of the radio are largely the same. A few HF radios intended for Generals also cover VHF/UHF, but not many. I've wondered why Icom's new 9300 doesn't cover 6 and 220. I think most companies feel the Techs just go for FM and then will upgrade when they get their General.
Thank you!
As a new guy i appreciate your videos.
I stepped away from ham radio about 17-20 years ago so I did not get acclimated to slow changes in activity. 2 meter FM repeater activity is absolutely dead compared to 20 years ago, at least here in Greater Cincinnati. I bought a Radioddity GD-77 because I liked the feel of it in my hand, the size fit right (unlike the Baofeng which was way to small and looked like a toy), and it seemed a bit more durable than the other Chinese handhelds. I programmed in every repeater in the area. In two weeks time I might have heard four QSOs and these were people who knew each other, not someone answering a listening call. Many, many times I put out listening calls to no avail. I am a security guard and Uber driver and need something to keep me occupied in the long stretches of dead time, so I gave up and bought a Jumbo Spot and set it up for mobile and portable use. I know there is more satellite stuff going on now than 20 years ago, but that can in no way make up for the decline in FM repeater use. 20 years ago I could find someone to rag chew on 2 meters with no matter what time day or night. That isn't true anymore.
What you describe is a bigger problem and happens on other ham bands too. We need more activity. Join a club and encourage activity.
Thanks for sharing the info 👍
The interplay of politics, technology, and usage is fascinating... being a former member of the Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, our club was attacked by other members when we started using YSF and Wires-X. Now it's interesting how the use of hotspots like Openspot are becoming more popular to avoid all the politics BS.
Nicely done Dave. Every club needs to take their new Techs aside and have them view this in a "now what do I do?" class. On a side note, you are looking much healthier. Thanks again for all you do. 73 KE0JVS
Thanks - the pulmonary rehab is working well.
Thanks Dave. Great video as always. I'd love to see 70cm and 6m next. When you cover, can you discuss the unique propagation that comes with that band? N1CLC
I think I'll do 70cm next.
Thank you again. A good review. N0QFT
Do Hams in practice follow the band plan? I've seen Hams not follow it. What is best practice in educating our Ham community when we see Hams not following the band plan? In particular, what is the language that we should use.
Part 97 specifies what is legal, although there are rogues who care less.
Following the band plan is "best practice" and the "state of the radio art." Ham Radio is supposed to be self-regulating. Now that the Volunteer Monitors program is getting started, that will be the way to go to corral the wild sheep.
@@davecasler Thanks David for the insight.
David Casler the VM program isn’t going to accomplish anything. The ARRL doesn’t seem to know what they want to do with it. All a VM can do is make a recommendation to the ARRL and they might make a recommendation to the FCC who might go and investigate it all over again, which they don’t have the people for.
Dave...thank you so much for this video! I want to keep my hard won 2 Meter privileges! I don’t want them to go the way of the 220 band...I’s sharing this video & your ARRL advice on Twitter & LinkedIn...KC4BMG...73!
Great job . Very good way of explaining the band plan. David Byrd KN4BHS
Superb.
Talking about Europe..
How many times you turn on 2m ssb and hear anyone there except on contests...almost never.
Why this band is today less in use comparing with 70s and 80s? What circumstances cause that this wonderful band become dead and become a pray for government to take it away?
It is on us hams to make it alive again and to use as well as we use 14mhz.
This is an interesting subject
Dave for your next show.
Dave I have a question for you. I will be in Colorado the last part of August and all over the state. I always like to go to Mt. Evans and I am wondering if there is a 2 mtr simplex freq that the mountain topper guys stay on? I have had good luck on 146.52 before but wanted to know where every one usually hung out. Thanks!! KC5ECB
I don't know--perhaps another viewer does. 146.52 is the national simplex calling frequency. Before you go mountaintopping, post your intent on the SOTA forums. (I've also been to the top of Mt. Evans the easy way, in my case on my motorcycle.)
@@davecasler Steve WG0AT says 146.52 is the place to be. Thanks and 73's!!
There are digital repeaters on the 2m FM repeater frequencies all over the country.
Star Gazer, Could you give Dave a little help by some listing frequencies, please? de KQ2E
@@BruceNitroxpro A quick glance through the 2016 ARRL repeater directory shows:
Birmingham AL dstar k4dso 145.410
Lake Havisu AZ P25 k7lhc 146.700
Hopewell AR nxdn w4gxi 145.470
Chico CA dmr k6cho 146.895
Ft Collins CO dmr kt0l 147.390
Bristol CT fusion k1crc 146.880
That's just a sampling from the first few states in the book - the list goes on. This is from a 3 year old directory. There are many more digital repeaters now.
Many people are converting their existing analog repeaters to digital.
Thanks for the additional info.
Great video
yasu ft991a uses wires x as well
I love you sir david❤🇵🇭
Great video! Where can I get those fancy charts you're using?
From the ARRL - a national organization which represents the Amateur Community, and publishes GREAT resources like this. Check out their website ARRL.net, join and support the community!
PS I was referring to the high level spectrum allocation charts at the beginning.
See dcasler.com/2019/07/11/two-meter-band-chart-used-in-ask-dave-209/
Here in the UK unfortunately, the 2 Meter band isn't being used enough by newly licensed and already licensed Hams. This is the crux of the problem really, and why the 2 Meter band is up for grabs by the French. Unused spectrum space is an invaluable resource for commercial users who would like to grab it, stating the obvious here of course, but it really is that simple. This whole argument about inactivity on 2 Meters, has been discussed before in the past, so from what I can remember it's nothing new. When the Morse test was a requirement for going on HF here in the UK , there was plenty of activity on 2 Meters, because 2M at the time was mainly used by Class B licensees. However when the Morse test was scrapped in favour of a free for all to go on HF, things changed significantly , and from then on 2 Meter activity in the UK really began to drop off.
None of the ham bands are as busy today as they were when I got into radio over 40 years ago.
@@davecasler That may well be the case, amateur radio has changed as a lot over the years, and so has the propagation. However 2 Meters has really gone to pot compared to what it was around 30 years ago. That's mainly because very few hams bother to use it, as they prefer the HF bands instead. Had the Morse test still been a requirement for going on HF, I'm sure that 2 meters would be far more active now than it presently is. It's the new licensees that are missing, where are they?
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing 73 de N3LUD
The reason I don't join the ARRL is the same reason I don't donate to the Spectrum Defense Fund. I'm poor. I have a 2 m handheld, and I'm building an SDR receiver. Outside of that, I have to pay my bills. The ARRL, in both it's magazine articles and it's practices, supports people that have money, and little else. If you wonder why the hobby has become so top heavy - look there.
Most magazines exist to connect advertisers with their buyers. QST and CQ do that for ham radio.
So Dave, you're a BYU alum? Just west of me lives W0BYU! Also a Dave!
Graduate in Math in 1975.
I'M IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN AND VHF [ MURS and HAM ] ARE BUSY. EVEN MORE SO ON UHF [ GMRS and HAM ]
Well said Dave. I’ve heard the mass hysteria surrounding the potential loss of the 2M band. Of course through the magic of social media this has got everyone up in arms. You explained it very well. I do think it’s important that we guard our frequencies. Excellent way to support our hobby through the ARRL. Great work. I enjoy all your videos.
Bob KC6SOT
Ha Ha
@G C ha ha ha
As I rember. W8ft. Findlay ohio. Had a couple pieces of American tower, and a pair of antenna of different sizes. It went horizontal/vertical. On a pair of rotors. A computer and a pair of controllers would track. By soft ware /a target was found/ acquired. the comp did a fair job of tracking some times. Moved away still miss my first club station /w8ft. De kv4li/// for got to mention Dave (rip) had the computer. an ancient lap top and a home made controller. He would pull the manual controllers off the shelf. Then wire his.
then power up the system and following instructions the antennas would dance to a tune. Then go to work. he never let it out of his sight. And when he was gone . so was his stuff and the old controller back in place . Don't blame him. a lot of effort went in to his box. 73
They should make this video mandatory viewing for every new technician. Well done Dave !!
Too much zooming in and out gave me motion sickness :( and the European French guys coming with their motion to transfer 144-146MHz as secondary use for amateur radio ..
Take dramamine before watching my videos ;-)
I tell folks about industrial interest. Wanting 220 and got it thanks to the governments help. Now 2 meter is wanted. Don't let the camel's head in the tent. You will loose. De kv4li
What's overlooked is that UPS took 40% of the 220 band, not 100%. The 60% is still there and not used much.
I use 2m all day. KC3NLS. 73
Thank you! Using the spectrum is the best way to keep the spectrum available for others to use.
If they are taking our 2m band we should transmit with mobile and portable radio so they can't use the 2m band ... Imagine hundred of people transmitting on the go , that will ruin them ....
The proposal is in the early talk stages in Europe. Way to early for a show of civil disobedience! But the band can certainly use more activity.
I love your channel and respect you for your knowledge but... telling people that writing to their representatives in the government doesn't fix anything is like saying don't vote.
Being an immigrant, and now naturalized citizen, a candidate for a local office in this year's elections and a patriot, I want to stress to everybody that it is imperative and most important to participate in the governance of our country.
Start using the 2M bands
144-146MHZ
It's sadly ironic that the entire radio frequency spectrum is utilized because amateur radio operators and experimenters pioneered its use and developed the technology. Then the government and commercial operators nibble away and allow amateurs to have small portions for their own use. It's a bit like having an entire continent and then having another group lay claim to it and herd you off onto small reservations of the least desirable land.
I can see why the FCC or other regulators would feel justified in reallocating amateur spectrum. 2m is one of the most popular bands but in my area, a town of 1/3 of a million people in a state of almost 4 million people, the 2m band is almost unused. You can see it on the waterfall of an SDR. It's a radio wasteland. There are the same four guys who chat on their way home from work. There is a weekly ARES net where 10 or 12 people check in and have nothing to say for 15 minutes other than thanking the net controller for doing such a great job, and a similar net for weather spotters.
Probably the best way to preserve amateur frequencies for amateur use is "Use them or lose them." I'm one of the worst offenders. I enjoy the technical aspects of amateur radio but don't spend much time actually communicating with amateur radio.
The plea to donate money to the AR RL Spectrum Defense Fund sounds a lot like the 2nd amendment protection racket operated by the NRA where they are the only path to Jesus. The FCC has a required notice for proposed rule making and individuals have opportunity to comment directly in opposition to reallocation of amateur frequencies.
Yep, everyone wants you to support their latest fad. But in fact, the ARRL does have a spectrum protection plan and given it's the only show in town, if that's what we want we can put our money where our mouth is.
I am not for giving any of our spectrum to a private company but when it comes to air travel safety I think I would be fine giving up some of the 2 meter band. The Tampa area is much like Colorado in that all of the band is spoken for but not used except for 1 or 2 repeaters that are barley used. I think that is because there are too many crusty old timers chasing away the young guys because they left their roger beep enabled on their new baofeng.
Hi michael. I’ve been a licensed ham for over 40 years. I still remember some crusty old guys on the local repeater who weren’t overly kind to me a young, inexperienced ham new to 2m. Fortunately, the vast majority of the ham community were friendly, welcoming, well-intentioned and generous with their time and knowledge. Don’t let a few old farts chase you away!
Tom Agoston Thanks for the kind words and i did not let them chase me away, I upgraded to extra the following month after getting my tech ticket but i do listen in from time to time on the local repeaters and i jump in when i hear one of old crusty guy start to beat up on a newbie, it just makes me really angry when i hear it, they are why the hobby is dying, 73 kk4ede
And then you have these people who insist on talking like they did on CB radio forty years ago. There's only so much that you can say to the same 3 or 4 people over and over again. After a while it just gets monotonous and boring. Old codgers want to control everything, all that does is drive everyone away.
David Branscome As far as i am concerned they can talk any way they want and use any sound effect they want so long as they keep it clean and leave out the politics
When I hear a comment like "your only hope is to join the ARRL", it sounds like an NRA commercial. 👎
You have a better organization that lobbies for the interests of ham radio? All others have come and gone and the ARRL is still standing... they're not perfect but at least we've gotten new people in leadership to steer a new course.
@@kc0itf Hopefully! 73
How is your comment relevant or constructive?
I don't watch NRA commercials, so I can't comment, but I really do think we need to support the ARRL. It is the *only* viable national organization that represents hams in the US.
The League is already jinxed enough as it is... most licensed hams aren't even members isn't saying a whole lot.
At least the NRA has (friendly?) competition in Gun Owners of America... what does the League have? @@davecasler