Conference vmszoo::rc

    Here's some more info on becoming a ham.
    
    As has been said, you need a Technician or higher class license
    to operate on 6 meters (50-54 MHz).
    
    The requirements for a Technician class license are 5 words per
    minute Morse code, elementary theory and regulations, and general-level
    theory and regulations (known as Elements 2 and 3A). The Novice
    license also requires 5 wpm and Element 2.
    
    Under new FCC rules, the tests are given by Volunteer Examiners.
    Each exam for Technician and higher is administered by a team of
    three accredited Volunteer Examiners. These examiners must hold
    Extra or Advanced Class licenses. You need an FCC form 610 which
    is the application form. There is no charge for the exams or license.
    They must be accredited through a Volunteer Exam Coordinator.
    
    Additional information about VE's can be obtained from the Amateur Radio
    Relay League (ARRL), 225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111.
    Telephone 203-666-1541. The ARRL also publishes lots of books and aids
    for learning Morse code, theory, and regulations. They even have Morse
    code computer programs for Commodore 64 and C 128 computers.
    
    The FCC has made special provisions for ham R/C. Here is an excerpt from
    the FCC regulations:
    
    "Section 97.99 Stations used only for radio control of remote model
    craft and vehicles.
    
    "An amateur radio station in radio control operation with a mean
    output power not exceeding one watt may, when used for the control
    of a remote model craft or vehicle, be operated under the special
    provisions of this section, provided that a writing indicating the
    station call sign and the licensee's name and address is affixed
    to the transmitter.
    (a) Station identification is not required for transmission directed
    only to a remote model craft or vehicle.
    (b) Transmissions containing only control signals directed only
    to a remote model craft or vehicle are not considered to be codes
    or ciphers in the context of the meaning of section 97.117." [codes
    and ciphers are prohibited on all ham frequencies]
    
    As was mentioned before, the eight channels on the 53 MHz band are
    not reserved for R/C, but are available for use by any ham who wants
    to use them. The newer channels on the 50 MHz band are also not
    reserved for R/C, but there is a "band plan" that, while not carrying
    the weight of law, has developed over time among 6-meter operators.
    The band plan lists 50.800-50.980 as Radio Control (R/C), 10 channels
    with 20kHz spacing. The same band plan lists 52.000-54.000 as used
    for FM repeaters and simplex (note that 53.1 - 53.8 are right in
    the middle there!). Also note that none of those channels are
    designated as aircraft-only or surface-only.
    
    While I have had no problems with 6 meter usage, it is wise to check
    with local R/C hams who will know whether there may be a repeater
    on the channel you want to use!
    
    R/C operation is legal on any ham band. R/C radio manufacturers
    have only made their equipment available on 53 MHz (and soon 50
    MHz), because the AMA has designated specific frequencies in those
    bands as "sanctioned" channels. Hams are allowed to construct their 
    own radio gear, and could operate on other bands (but probably would
    not be allowed in AMA events, unfortunately).

    An interesting twist for future interest: The Novice license
    now allow all modes of operation on 222.1-223.91 MHz and 1270-1295
    MHz. I would like to see some hams do some more experimentation 
    in those bands. The antenna might only have to be a few inches long!
    
    By the way, I got all of this info from "The FCC Rule Book - A Guide
    to the FCC Regulations" published by the ARRL.

    One last piece of data about radios. I use Airtronics gear, and
    the CS7P-AM radio is the only one they have 6 meter modules for.
    The good news is that if you buy a new radio set and send it to
    them unused, they will retrofit it for 6 meters for no charge (except
    the shipping charge back to you). I just got that done to my 2nd
    radio I recent bought from Sheldon's. Airtronics has promised a
    new line of radios "coming soon" that will also be available on
    6 meters.
    
    Dave Hughes
    WA1MPF (a ham since 1969, R/C'er since 1985)

    
    Ok, Now I got the radio pegged what about 51 and 53 mhz, whats their
    future????
    
    Pager shift?  I dont know either but I wear this thing on my belt
    and they give me money.  I think it may be DEC human resource
    expeirement.

    There is no restriction for 1991 on 51 or 53 Mhz.  These are 
    radio amateur bands and fall under different restrictions (such
    as having a license, etc) and are 100 kc spacing so the narrow
    bandwidth does not mean much.  However, Please check your local
    area to make sure there are no repeaters etc. on the frequency
    you select.

		________
	 /	  __|__  
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	/	__|___|__/  BREAK A BLADE,
			    Ken  (K1PTM)  	

        The 53 MHz frequencies ARE wide spaced, so even old gear should
        work fine there. The "new" HAM channels, 00-09 are in the 50 MHZ
        (not 51) area, and are narrow band just like the 72/75 MHz
        channels. The 53MHz band does have some 6 meter repeaters, as
        close as 10KHz offf the RC channels, so beware of neighbors up
        there. 
        
        The new 50 MHz channels SHOULD be clear of other users like
        repeaters, but also remember that this is by ARRL band plan, not
        FCC mandate. You can do whatever you want wherever you feel like
        as far as the FCC is concerned, if you have the license. 

        Bob WB9WDV Kaplow 53.2/53.4 and (hapilly) lonely!

    I read that buy a 50 MHZ if you are going to buy one.  I have heard
    al's mention that a 6 meter repeater was possibly causing some
    interfearence at the Scale masters.  Ok.  I think it will be a
    Airtronics MD7SP on a 50 MHZ channel for the Larry Jolly Pantera
    that should be here soon.
    
    Thanks for all the help.
    
    Mark Antry (KA7JCQ)
    

    Will the old 27xxx and 53xxx frequencies still be available in 1991?
    
    Or is the hobby destined for extinction ? (and no, I have absolutely
    no confidence that a "1991" radio will be safe to fly from a personal
    hazard point of view in any urban area.  Those pager transmitters
    are typically active for ten seconds per page, and put out upwards
    of 200 watts.  That's instant death for anything except cars and
    possibly close-to-shore, slow-speed boats. ) 

    Ref .46 and -.1
    The 50 and 53 Mhz bands are only legal if you own a Radio Amateur
    license.  It also does note preclude you getting clobbered on
    these bands, since a 6 meter station can be operated on any of the
    frequencies that RC is operated on.  It is not against the law,
    just a gentleman's agreement that the hams do not operate at these
    frequencies.

		________
	 /	  __|__  
	=========[_____\>
	/	__|___|__/  BREAK A BLADE,
			    Ken    	

    It's hard to keep up with you guys! I have a couple (long) comments:

    re: Ham frequencies - The ham bands are reserved for ham use only (note
    the word BANDS, which is a contiguous range of frequencies, not a set of
    channels). They are the exclusive, primary users of those bands, as
    opposed to the 72 MHz where modellers are secondary users. That's the
    good news. The only direct interference possible is with other hams. The
    bad news is that there is no law prohibiting any hams from operating on
    ANY of the old OR NEW R/C channels in the ham bands. The old channels in
    53MHz range have no special meaning to hams. The new channels in the 50
    MHz range do have a bit of meaning - AMA got ARRL (the ham equivalent
    national organization) to agree to list the 50MHz R/C channels in their
    frequency usage plans, so they are RECOMMENDED for use by R/C, but there
    is no law requiring hams to observe the ARRL usage plans. Fortunately,
    few hams seem to be operating on those frequencies now. 

    Hams can operate R/C on ANY of the ham bands. The 6 meter frequencies
    are those chosen by AMA (or AMA/ARRL) as recommended frequencies. The
    AMA can prohibit hams who aren't using those channels from flying
    in sanctioned competitions, but they can't prohibit them from flying
    otherwise. It's unlikely any ham would put an R/C aircraft on any
    of the bands below 6 meters, because of virtually guaranteed
    interference, potentially from ham stations anywhere in the world.
    Bands higher than 6 meters (like 220MHz) are very interesting, however.
    I'd like to see some R/C development on higher frequencies.

    Because the new 50MHz channels are 20kHz apart, any R/C ham operating
    on those new frequencies needs narrow band equipment. The old 53MHz
    channels are 100kHz apart, so narrow band is not and never will be
    required there.

    re: Use of odd channels - the FCC is constantly being asked for new
    frequency allocations in a very crowded radio spectrum. Hams just lost
    2MHz in their 220MHz band, despite intense lobbying from the ARRL and
    even congressional (non-binding) resolutions made on behalf of hams.
    That band was turned over for commercial use. This was done because not
    many hams were using it. The FCC will not suffer any of the spectrum to
    go unused for long. 

    If the AMA were to decide not to use the odd channels, the FCC would
    eventually take them away and give them to other services who would
    use them at higher power, and the result would be much worse than
    R/Cers using the odd channels. That is why the AMA cannot back down
    from the phase in plans for the odd channels.

    Now, have a little pity on the AMA. I'm not real happy with the results,
    and perhaps more competent people could have done better (any volunteer
    radio experts out there willing to spend a lot of time for no
    compensation on behalf of R/C modellers?) However, the FCC is the
    authority who decided the channel separation, not AMA. FCC will not
    waste spectrum on people who just want to continue using antiquated
    radio equipment. The bottom line is that we have no choice at all -
    old equipment will become obsolete and must be scrapped, period.
    It may be possible to delay that a little, but it WILL happen. It's
    not the AMA's fault, it's the FCC doing its job in responsible
    management of the radio spectrum. I think you'd have a hard time
    arguing your case to the FCC when a new, conforming radio can be
    bought for around $100 today.

    re: interference - once again, the demand of modellers for cheap
    equipment will result in high losses in crashed airplanes. As has been
    said, the transmitter is easy, the receiver is hard. Interference is
    guaranteed, and the only ways to help are to make the receivers better,
    and local channel management by local clubs who will have to get a lot
    smarter about use of radio frequencies in their area. This is where we
    can and should lobby the AMA to set up a technical department capable of
    providing detailed technical advice in radio management. 

    Well, I've gotten myself going again and could continue, but I'll stop
    here. It will get sorted out eventually, but it will be 5 years before
    it's pretty well under control, I believe. The louder the cheapskates
    yell to preserve their old equipment (most of them arguing some sort of
    principle, rather than really not being able to afford a new radio), the
    more grief we'll all have in getting the problem sorted out and managed.
    Meanwhile, I'm happy that I can sit on my ham channels and wait for the
    smoke to clear. My next new radio (which may be a while) will be a new
    narrow band rig on the 50 MHz channels, after I have made sure they're
    not used by any ham repeaters in the area. 

    Dave Hughes