219-220 MHz Digital band use

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wbloss

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I recently found this from 1993: Allocation of the 219-220 MHz Band for Use by the Amateur RadioService (Clas No. 920543).
DId it happen? Does anyone use 219-220 digital?
 

n9mxq

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Ham radio is now 222-224. We lost the low end to UPS, or was it Fedex? years ago.

1.25 Meters (222-225 MHz)​

222.0-222.150Weak-signal modes
222.0-222.025EME
222.05-222.06Propagation beacons
222.1SSB & CW calling frequency
222.10-222.15Weak-signal CW & SSB
222.15-222.25Local coordinator's option; weak signal, ACSB, repeater inputs, control
222.25-223.38FM repeater inputs only
223.40-223.52FM simplex
223.52-223.64Digital, packet
223.64-223.70Links, control
223.71-223.85Local coordinator's option; FM simplex, packet, repeater outputs
223.85-224.98Repeater outputs only
Note: The 222 MHz band plan was adopted by the ARRL Board of Directors in July 1991.
 

mmckenna

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I recently found this from 1993: Allocation of the 219-220 MHz Band for Use by the Amateur RadioService (Clas No. 920543).
DId it happen? Does anyone use 219-220 digital?

219-220 is allowed for some very specific usage by amateur radio. It is shared spectrum and amateur is secondary.

97.303 covers it:

In the 219–220 MHz segment:
(1) Use is restricted to amateur stations participating as forwarding stations in fixed point-to-point digital message forwarding systems, including intercity packet backbone networks. It is not available for other purposes.
(2) Amateur stations must not cause harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations authorized by:​
(i) The FCC in the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), the 218–219 MHz Service, and the 220 MHz Service, and television stations broadcasting on channels 11 and 13; and​
(ii) Other nations in the fixed and maritime mobile services.​
(3) No amateur station may transmit unless the licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions in order to be incorporated into a database that has been made available to the public. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The notification must be given to: The American Radio Relay League, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111–1494.​
(4) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 640 km of an AMTS coast station that operates in the 217–218 MHz and 219–220 MHz bands unless the amateur station licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions to the AMTS licensee. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217–218/219–220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.​
(5) No amateur station may transmit from a location that is within 80 km of an AMTS coast station that uses frequencies in the 217–218 MHz and 219–220 MHz bands unless that amateur station licensee holds written approval from that AMTS licensee. The location of AMTS coast stations using the 217–218/219–220 MHz channels may be obtained as noted in paragraph (l)(3) of this section.​
 

AK9R

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Ooops, I take that back, I have never used a digital mode on 1.25m. Twice on voice, though.
That's not really an answer to the question.

When the FCC cut the 1.25m amateur radio band from 220-225 MHz to 222-225 MHz, amateur radio was allocated an additional segment of 219-220 MHz for "fixed digital message forwarding systems only". The OP is asking if anyone has ever used 219-220 MHz for amateur radio.
 

nd5y

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If you are really interested you should contact ARRL and ask them how many users have registered and and how you access the public database, if it even exists. I can't find anything about it on their web site, but I didn't look very hard.

(3) No amateur station may transmit unless the licensee has given written notification of the station's specific geographic location for such transmissions in order to be incorporated into a database that has been made available to the public. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making such transmissions. The notification must be given to: The American Radio Relay League, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111–1494.
 

dickie757

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That's not really an answer to the question.

When the FCC cut the 1.25m amateur radio band from 220-225 MHz to 222-225 MHz, amateur radio was allocated an additional segment of 219-220 MHz for "fixed digital message forwarding systems only". The OP is asking if anyone has ever used 219-220 MHz for amateur radio.
Right. I went over the time limit to edit my post, so I made an amendment post.
 

AK9R

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I can't find anything about it on their web site, but I didn't look very hard.
I looked. Couldn't find anything either. I'll ask one my contacts at the ARRL rather than speculate.
 

Alain

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I have always loved the 220MHz band; to me it is like the 160 meter band, '"the gentleman's band"! I had a 220 MHz Yahoo group many years ago; quite successful it was too. I would also suggest that any ham radio op would do well to find a transceiver/h.t. and use the 220 band. My Alinco 235 has 99 repeaters programmed, so there is no absence of 1 1/2 meter repeaters in SoCal.

As a retired CERT/FEMA instructor, I would always urge beginning students to get their ham radio license. We managed to survive and prosper thru two wildfire evacuations [2003/2007], here in San Diego County. The 2 meter and 70 cm bands were compromised by too much unnecessary traffic and hams who were unable to maintain composure under the strain.

Sadly, there were jammers and undesirables interrupting priority/emergency transmissions. Not many hams have the 220 band equipment and that is why I feel it imperative to find and maintain same for events like the one mentioned above, if you are serious about being ahead of the news media and being of assistance to yourself, family and your community the next time an emergency strikes.
 

GlobalNorth

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When I lived in metro Phoenix with several 1.25 meter repeaters, I was never able to make a contact, I never heard anyone on the machines either.

After moving out to rural AZ, there is one machine and I've made a few contacts, but with very limited power and being in a wrong path, it isn't easy.

Finding equipment isn't easy either. Everything 1.25 meter is treated as if it is a museum piece and owners want obscene valuations when selling, even though they haven't used the radio is over a decade or more.
 

merlin

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I know back in the 80s, there was a small group on 1.25 meters and a repeater in LA county.
I thought it was nice and be around a long time. A bit of SSTV etc.
I figure interest waned and someone mentioned use it or lose it.
Probably still around but not very active.
Radio makers are far and few between.
 

merlin

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I have always loved the 220MHz band; to me it is like the 160 meter band, '"the gentleman's band"! I had a 220 MHz Yahoo group many years ago; quite successful it was too. I would also suggest that any ham radio op would do well to find a transceiver/h.t. and use the 220 band. My Alinco 235 has 99 repeaters programmed, so there is no absence of 1 1/2 meter repeaters in SoCal.

As a retired CERT/FEMA instructor, I would always urge beginning students to get their ham radio license. We managed to survive and prosper thru two wildfire evacuations [2003/2007], here in San Diego County. The 2 meter and 70 cm bands were compromised by too much unnecessary traffic and hams who were unable to maintain composure under the strain.

Sadly, there were jammers and undesirables interrupting priority/emergency transmissions. Not many hams have the 220 band equipment and that is why I feel it imperative to find and maintain same for events like the one mentioned above, if you are serious about being ahead of the news media and being of assistance to yourself, family and your community the next time an emergency strikes.
Amateur has proven to be a very poor emergency alternative, face it.
 
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