karn@mouton.UUCP (07/22/84)
There were several other items of note from the National ARRL Convention FCC forum: 1. The ARRL's request for HF phone band expansion has just been adopted. 2. The ARRL formally signed an agreement with the FCC to become a Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC). 3. Bob Foosaner (Private Radio Bureau chief) commented that the pressure for spectrum from Land Mobile users is extremely high. He went on to say that while the no code license proposal was being considered, there was some thought being given to accomodating them on 220 mhz. However, he said, the amateurs have made it abundantly clear that there is no room ANYWHERE in amateur radio for a no-code license. Therefore, it will be much harder to defend the relatively lightly used lower part of 220 mhz against being reallocated to Land Mobile. He did go on to emphasize that this is only one of the many options they are considering, which also include reallocating some broadcast spectrum. However, the demands are extremely high; they estimate over 100 mhz would be needed to satisfy demand even INCLUDING the conversion from FM to compandored SSB! I (KA9Q) think there's a moral in here somewhere. Phil