I don’t know how much you view online, or on social media, but if you’ve been on either much as of late,you’ve probably seen a headline related to this.
It probably said something to the effect of “They’re taking away our 2 meter band.” I’ve skipped over them mostly because I didn’t figure it was related to us since I haven’t heard any chatter.
This morning I was looking through You Tube checking out some tech videos and saw one about this reallocation, so I decided to go ahead and check it out. Here’s what i learned. The 2 meter band, from 144-146 mhz, is under consideration for reallocation in ITU Region 1 for aeronautical use. ***after talking with Mark, W5TXR, this morning, I learned that not only are they more active on 2 meter in this region than I suspected, but this is their entire portion of the 2 meter band that amateurs there are allocated. ***
Although this doesn’t directly affect us, it’s food for thought. Use it or lose it, as they say. I’m glad that we have such an active 2 meter bunch here in the Golden Triangle and the turnout for the weekly net is always encouraging. I smiled big last night when I heard the new tech from Texas check in on Echolink because he saw that the repeater was active.
The repeater will show active on Echolink when they’re are stations connected via Echolink. I’ve heard, multiple times over the last year, that traveling hams don’t hear much 2 meter activity until they’re in range of the W5YD repeater here. We’re a veritable welcome mat for hams traveling across the Southeast and that’s awesome.
Regarding Echolink, even though you’re in repeater range, swap it up once in a while and connect on Echolink for a bit. Those new hams searching for an active Echolink repeater can find us and join in. That’s the 3rd, I believe, new tech I’ve heard whose first contact, or one of first few, was W5YD on Echolink.
From my perspective, that’s something to he proud of that our repeater is active enough on a regular basis for hams around the country to see it and check in. You’re an incredible group of hams around here and I’m proud to he part of it.
73, de K5RFL
