Re: [wsjt-devel] FT4 frequency choice - problematic

[Joe T. <jo...@pr...>]

Hi Ria,

Good to hear from you!

On 4/30/2019 14:10, rj...@gm... wrote:
> Hi Joe, Bill, Steve and team,
> 
> I'm getting feedback about the frequency choices for the initial FT4
> rollout. There is conflict with users because it is so low down in the
> band on 40 meters (7047). The QRP fox hunt (CW) guys are up in arms
> because that's where they operate. Other hams have been complaining to
> their ARRL officials (including me) about the QRM.
> 
> I love the FT/JT modes and think that what the WSJT development team
> is doing is absolutely fantastic but I think some more thought has to
> go into where we want these modes to live so we can have peaceful
> coexistence on the bands.
> 
> vy 73
> Ria
Experience shows that it's impossible to select even 1% of a band -- 
say, a ~3 kHz slice in a 300 kHz band -- for a new purpose without 
stepping on some toes.  Experience also shows that nobody wants to help 
with this important band-planning task.  (Maybe something like a new 
ARRL and/or IARU Committee?)

Finally, our experience shows that sometimes we have to try something, 
see how it plays, and then (if necessary) try something else.

Our frequency choices are not arbitrary -- far from it.  We're very 
willing to make changes when a balanced assessment shows them desirable.

FT4 has been on 7047 kHz for all of 24 hours.  Not much time, but enough 
to make it clear that a better frequency should be found on 40 meters.

I hope those who experience QRM from FT8 or FT4 will keep in mind that 
(by some measures) these modes account for something like 70% of ham 
radio activity, world wide, while occupying something like 1-2% of our 
allocated HF spectrum.

Please send us your suggestions for default frequencies for FT4 and/or 
other WSJT-X modes, doing your best to find choices acceptable worldwide.

	-- 73, Joe, K1JT