The AM Forum

anyone look at it lately?? Not all the AM windows are listed! especially 160M  1880,85,90,95 or 17M 18.150  15M
12M 24.985 and on 10m 29.0-29.3 (I've qsoed with many G3 stations between 29.2-29.3 also 6M AM 50.3-50.6
with the national calling freq being 50.4 and 2M band, 144.400-144.4  2m is really gotten dead even for repeaters- maybe 146.52 would be good for AM. I started operating on that band in 1972 with my first rig being a twoer which I still have.wa1mtz

There has never been any imaginary AM Windows defined in the ARRL Band Plan. For some bands, they define a AM Calling Frequency, but for many of us, that's out of date, with the invention of the VFO and/or a box of crystals. 146.52 MHz is the National FM Simplex Calling Frequency.

just like the imaginary dx window or the imaginary other freqs.  chaos!

AM Windows create more trouble than they are worth.  Some SSB will come on a clear frequency and give you hell because your not operating in the AM Window.  The glass in the window went away a long time ago. 

Find a clear frequency and call CQ.

Joe 

The DX Window is an international agreement, not entirely driven by the ARRL. Comparisons to any domestic AM window are illegitimate.

The AM Window on 75 meters never respected back when it may have made sense - far fewer phone allocations on 80/75 meters and far more stations on the air. With the expanded phone allocations and far fewer stations on the air at present, an AM Window is useless. It's not needed for "protection" and it is far too limiting.

We have 400 kHz allocated for phone on 80/75 meters *. I refuse to limit myself to a mere 10 kHz chunk.


* The ARRL is trying to take away (http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-approves-dues-hike-hf-band-plan-2016-national-parks-centennial-event) 50 kHz of this allocation.

Hi Mike, long time since hearing from you. 146.52 FM is alive and well in CT. I am always monitoring it at home and mobile. I have 3 vintage Clegg rigs for FM that sit on that freq. Now thats not to say that I would not try AM there, but it might be a good idea to be able to switch easily from AM to FM while using that freq. 144.4 is no good for AM anymore since the APRS guys landed on 144.39. I have now useless xtals for that freq. As for the other so-called AM windows, it does not matter anyway. Its not law. Don't pay any attention to the matter. I have better things to think about. Lets try 2M AM or FM sometime. I can do some hilltopping in the mobile so we can hook up. By the way, the audio on the vintage Cleggs is much better than the new stuff, and there are others in the area running vintage 2M FM rigs.
73  Larry

There's been some push to get the ARRL band plan to include 144.27 MHz as an AM calling frequency. It's above where the majority of the SSB activity is located and slightly below where you'll find beacons and obviously below all the FM activity, repeaters, and other diddly stuff. While 20+ years ago, 144.4 MHz might have been fine, in recent years, to much other stuff sits around that frequency.

Back in 2002, there was some flack over the 146.52 MHz usage: http://www.eham.net/articles/4164

I view the so-called "AM Window" as a place to meet friends.  Sort of knowing which bar to hang out so you meet folks who are regular attendees - OK OK so maybe that's a comparison that will draw some flack - It's just where I check in in the mornings to see if my friends have gotten their "bean" yet and have settled down for a chat.

What with the rise in popularity of panadaptors this Window concept is even more obsolete.

What are the current observed or used AM calling frequencies on 2 & 6 meters?

50.4 MHz is the designated AM calling frequency. Of course, if you only hang on 50.4, you'll become part of QRM central when the band opens up. Calling CQ 10 to 20 KHz or more above or below is not that far removed from the calling frequency especially if you're using a classic AM rig.

There is no designated 2M AM calling frequency. Many years ago 144.4 was used but over the last 10 or so years, APRS and other digital modes, around 144.4, have really made 144.4 useless for AM operation. Moving further up into the FM repeater areas really is not an option. That's why I indicated in an earlier post, that 144.27 MHz was being considered as a good alternative.

The window is a vernacular concept. If there is no one on it, it is a convenient area to try b/c people know of it.
True practice is more like finding a random open spot in the voice section and using it.

For some, it's their only way of amateur radio life.