John,
I am answering your request to suggest a band plan for our small longwave
band throught the reflector, since I believe that a discussion would help
to
come to an agreement.
I read about the recommendation and the LORAN free window around 136.458
kHz but I have never seen a Slow-CW QSO down there. I do observe the band
since two or three years now and found that indeed, main Slow-CW activity
can
be found around 137.700 kHz. Depending upon the setting of Spectrogram, the
complete range between 137.650 and 137.750 can be observed at one glance.
I believe that a second Slow-CW window would cause confusion. Additionally,
also in that upper window there are some nice LORAN-free spots. I have made
a list of LORAN frequencies that should be avoided when seeking contact
with
stations near a coast, where LORAN is to strong
(http://www.dk8kw.home.page.de).
Also on my homepage I have published a kind of "bandplan" that is based
upon
my own observations, of course from the persepective of Northern Germany.
I propose to set up a voluntary band plans as follows:
135.700 - 136.000 kHz
Testing frequencies, such as short-term beacon transmissions, for example
for field strength measurements, or for local QSOs. This range seems to
be difficult to use for QSOs since there is obviously a lot of QRM. So this
range
might be good to set up short-term test beacon transmissions to test
antennas,
measuring field strength, QSOs with very local character, etc. without
disturbing
other QSOs on the band.
136.000 - 137.000 kHz
normal CW, with center of activity at 136.500, additionally possibly a
"cross-band frequency" might be established, such as 136.900 kHz
for people seeking answer on a different band.
137.000 - 137.300 kHz
PSK31, with 137.150 being the main operating frequency (analog to the
shortwave PSK31 frequencies 1838.150, 3580.150, 7035.150,
10140.150, etc.) and RTTY.
137.300 - 137.600 kHz
for future use
137.600 - 137.800
Slow-CW, with 137.700 as main center of activity and "calling frequency"
Please feel free to discuss my proposal.
Best regards
Geri, DK8KW (W1KW)
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