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A short summary of a document by ZS5JF on restructuring proposals
For many years the allocation of frequencies for various uses has failed to follow the recommendations laid down by IARU Region 1. In 1992 a proposal was accepted to change to 12,5kHz spacing which also failed to happen. Band Plans are the result of many years of experimentation and are a form of "gentlemen’s agreement" for the good of all users. Being a Member of Region 1 has more pluses than negatives. Equipment compatibility amongst members is also a factor. It willl not all happen at once but the required changes are as follows:
- No repeater inputs below 145,000 –--- No repeater outputs below 145,600
( The target here was June 2001 and countrywide 22 repeaters were affected including our PARC 145,375 Witbank repeater)
!4 input/output repeater pairs are allowed up to max rx/tx freq 145,175-145,775
This leaves a gap of 145,200-145-550 for simplex use : (28 channels of 12,5kHz)
Your Chairman and one or two more PARC members intend to be present at the next and subsequent planning meetings which for Gauteng are held at the NARC under the chairmanship of ZS6JPY. It is important that the PARC must monitor and provide inputs to this planning. Eventual recommendations for the Gauteng area go to the SARL Bandplanner ZS5JF.
How does this affect you? Your 2m equipment will at a minimum need a reduction in transmit deviation from 5kHz down to 3kHz or so. If you cannot do this, we will assist you to do it. With careful repeater frequency choices, your receivers may not need a narrower bandwidth filter.
Modern 2m equipment is generally programmable for all these parameters. An advantage is of course that hams can now use commercial VHF equipment also.
Be open minded and accept these changes
for the better- the days of persistently using old technology are over
– tone access is also on the cards but at the discretion of the Club. ZS6KR
