On motion of Mr. Roderick, seconded by Mr. Frenaye, it was VOTED unanimously that the President select an Ad Hoc Committee to solicit membership input on the current band plan for 160 meters and to provide recommendations for any changes at the Board of Directors meeting in July, 2001.

a.)Digital

Considerable discussion was held regarding where to place digital modes. The Committee was sensitive to the point that future technology will improve digital communications. Furthermore, there have been increasing complaints that digital, CW and SSB modes were conflicting in the 1.830 - l.845 MHz. range. The Committee felt that it was important to allocate a specific segment for digital, and have that segment located away from the traditional and more heavily used operating segments for CW and SSB in order to avoid continuing problems. Therefore , the Committee recommends that a digital modes segment from 1.800 -- 1.810 MHz. be designated.

b.)QRP

A number of comments were received from the QRP community. The majority of these comments pointed out that their commonly accepted CW QRP frequency is 1.810 MHz and that their commonly accepted SSB QRP frequency is 1.910 MHz. While seemingly impractical due to high power SSB operations around the QRP SSB frequency, the Committee felt that since these frequencies, commonly accepted by the QRP community, are consistent with the other CW and SSB recommendations of the Committee, they should be included in a revised bandplan.

c.)AM Operation

The Committee received a large number of comments from the AM community and vintage equipment operators. The vast majority stated that they did not want any changes made regarding AM. There are established and recognized frequencies used on 160 for AM. For example, 1.945 MHz. has been used for almost 45 years. Also, 1.885 MHz and 1.925 MHz. are long established frequencies as well.

The Committee spent considerable time on this topic and considerable discussion was held directly with AM operators who sent messages to the Committee. Based upon this input, the Committee recommends no changes with respect to AM operation.

As a side note, during the review of AM operations, the Committee discussed whether to suggest that AM rag chewing be conducted above 1.900 MHz. While limiting rag chewing to frequencies above 1.900 MHz might be desirable, the majority of the Committee felt there should not be such a limit as it conflicted with the input received.

d.)1.843 MHz. SSB

It is widely recognized that 1.840 MHz. is the upper edge for CW operating. Significant problems over the years have developed around 1.840 MHz between CW and SSB operations because when LSB carriers are set to 1.840 MHz, the sideband frequencies will extend down by as much as 3 kHz. This means that weak signal CW operations in the range of 1.837-1.840 MHz may be overlapped by LSB operations in the range of 1.840-1.843 MHz. This overlap is due to "under appreciation" of the fact that LSB operation has associated with it frequencies below the carrier frequency and the carrier frequency is the displayed readout frequency in most current SSB radios.

The Committee felt that the simplest way to mitigate this problem would be to specify that 1.843 MHz be the lower limit for SSB in the revised bandplan. This will assure that the sideband frequencies from correctly filtered SSB radios are above 1.840 MHz and lessen or eliminate problems that now exist.

e.)DX Window

The Committee recommends the deletion of the DX window concept. The current ARRL band plan specifies 1.830 - 1.850 MHz. for intercontinental QSO's only. This is not followed and is simply not practical given the current operating activity on 160, nor is it practical for enforcement.

The Committee does, however, recommend that contest sponsors consider the use of DX windows as necessary. Thus, under the Committee's recommendations, DX windows, per se, would not be part of the ARRL band plan but could be honored in contests as set forth in the respective contest rules.

f.Contests

The Committee recognizes that activity during contests has increased in recent years and can disrupt a large portion of the band. The Committee further recognizes that, as a practical matter, during the duration of some contests, it will be difficult or even not feasible for the band plan to be observed. Contest activity can generate more activity than the band plan can accommodate.

The Committee recommends that contest sponsors suggest in their rules that the band plan be observed where possible. Further, that contest sponsors designate frequency operating limits for the contest as a part of the contest rules. Such limits should provide for operation by non-contest operators while the contest is in progress.

The Committee recommends that for major ARRL contests, frequency limits be established for both CW and SSB on 160 meters to help assure that a portion of the band will not be disrupted during the contests. Further, the Committee recommends that a representative of ARRL contact CQ Magazine and urge that the same concept be adopted for major CQ sponsored contests to help assure that certain frequency segments will be contest free.

These recommendations address the concern raised by numerous individuals providing Committee input, asking that a segment of the band be available for CW operators where SSB operators do not go during a contest, and vice versa.

g.)Beacons and Experimental Modes

Realizing the need for experimental modes and the increased interest for beacons, the Committee recommends specific segments to further encourage these interests. The most practical segment of the band is the upper portion, away from major activity. Consequently, the Committee recommends 1.995 - 2.000 MHz. for experimental modes and 1.999 - 2.000 MHz. for attended beacons. The current band plan does not provide any such segments.

h.)FCC Rule Making

It is the Committee's understanding that the FCC does not desire to consider any piecemeal approach to regulation, such as 160 meters sub-band rule making, changes to operating privileges, etc. It is also the Committee's understanding that other efforts are underway, such as the Novice Refarming Committee, whereby at some point in the future such studies will be integrated together as a package and presented to the FCC for possible rule making.

It is strongly urged by this Committee, that the Board consider whether the revised 160 meter band plan herein recommended should be incorporated into that strategy and eventually proposed to the FCC for rule making.