The bottom line was that a friend of mine who has been in communications for 40 years told them that there is places in the 440 band where you can tune between frequencies and no one would notice.
We all know the band plan and the frequencies allocated for simplex and the frequencies allocated for repeaters, and technically he was right. You could use some obscure frequency and unless someone was using a scanner or a frequency / signal locator - you would never know that they were there.
70 CM band plan -
442.00-445.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)
445.00-447.00 Shared by auxiliary and control links, repeaters and simplex (local option)
447.00-450.00 Repeater inputs and outputs (local option)
Lets say you chose 445.7825 Mhz and nothing else was around that frequency.
Technically - if no one knew that you were there, you could use it and no one would hear you.
Technically there is nothing in the band plan which states that you cannot use SSB on 70 CM.
That would make it even harder for someone with nothing more then a programmable scanner to receive your transmissions.
Kind of forgetting a few chunks of 70 cm, aren’t you, maybe like all of 420.000 to 442.000? Since you opened it up to SSB (and presumably other modes in that statement) there is no reason to stay in the 442.0 – 450.0 range.
Not sure what to make of that statement about technically there is nothing saying you cannot use SSB on 70 cm, I don’t know of any band, other than 30 meters, that SSB is not allowed, or even encouraged, on. How about 432.100, the designated (by band plan) weak signal mode (SSB and CW, for example) calling frequency? And 432.100 to 432.300 and 432.400 to 433.000, designated mixed mode and weak signal? Operating in the 432.1 to 433.0 region in SSB would not only be “technically” possible, that is part of what that section of the band was set aside for.
Do not confuse a “band plan” with a legal barrier to emission types or to having the weight of law. Just because the band plan says FM in different uses from 442.0 to 450.0 does not mean you cannot use other modes. As always it is up to the operator to deconflict. Band Plans are developed based on FCC-mandated band segments (often protecting things like satellite sub bands), sound engineering practices, and traditional usage.
The FCC does support band plans, rather strongly at times. However, as far as I know, no one has been cited for violations of a band plan that was also not some other violation, such as causing interference with coordinated stations or causing interference with stations abiding the band plan.
Personally - it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
These arse clowns, who only obtains a Technician Class License.
Who does not operate on the repeaters.
Who does not obtain any type of training on how to properly operate amateur radios or how to talk on amateur radios.
Comes along and gets a license, just in case the world comes to an end - some type of apocalyptic type event - and thinks that they are going to be of some use to the government - just because they have a amateur radio license.
My personal opinion - the Technician Class License was never intended to be a stopping place.
It is the Amateur Radio Kindergarten of Ham Radio.
Rather short sighted and opinionated there, isn’t that? Of course, you did say it was your opinion, but at least part of it is indeed incorrect.
As a matter of fact Technician Class was intended as a “stopping place”. When the license structure consisted of more than three classes, Novice, Technician, General/Conditional (my first ticket was Conditional), Advanced, and Extra, the Technician was the stopping place for people interested in VHF and up communications and experimentation who had no interest in HF. This is why there were very few power or privilege enhancements above 30 MHz (after 1979, prior to that date there were some restrictions to T class, especially on 2M) in obtaining a “more” than Tech license.
Today, since Techs are more unlimited than ever above 30 MHz, it fills the same purpose. Yes, it can be an entry level into the World of HF ham radio, but it can also be all that is needed into a World of radio experimentation and technology application.
Amateur Radio Kindergarten? Well, why don’t you join those Kindergarteners and design and scratch build some microwave equipment. Maybe come up with a new modulation technique to apply to a home built TWT transmitter. How about designing, building, and fielding a planar phased array steerable communications antenna? Tell ya what, how about an easy one, just transmit an SSB signal on 10 GHz with say 1200 Watts PEP?
I am an Extra myself, because I like or am interested in pretty much all aspects of ham radio and want all the freq ranges, and the test is a breeze (I never would have bothered in the high speed CW requirement days, 15-17 WPM was all I was good for unless I put real effort into it). But I know some positively brilliant individuals who carry the soul of amateur radio to technical extremes…all with a “lowly” Technician license.
The simplex and the repeaters are designed for a person to get their feet wet.
A place where you can talk and learn how to be a good amateur radio operator - while you are studying to obtain your General and your Extra license.
Even with that - the General license was never intended to be a stopping place either.
Simplex (I assume you mean FM simplex, and not something like SSB or CW simplex on 20 meters) and repeaters are not designed for a person to get their feet wet. They have specific applications and fit specific needs. Among other things they are particularly well fitted to mobile and portable application and fixed to mobile communication.
If you honestly believed what you said, and since you have an Extra class license, you must not use FM in any way now? None of that “getting your feet wet” FM Simplex or repeaters?
With a General class license a person can operate every legal ham mode, on every legal ham band. There simply is not a need to go higher than that. The Extra gives a VERY small expansion of frequency ranges, but no new modes, power levels, or bands. The General might be the ultimate stopping point, the most bang for the work required. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Extra, but really the extra 400’ish kHz (over General) might not be worth the effort to some people. Of course, I do love the fact that those ranges are less occupied, and also that some DX stations like to use those ranges.
T!