The AM Forum

I just wanted to report my activities on 14.286 Mhz (ARRL sanctioned AM calling frequency). I've been calling CQ during the day starting at 0800 PDST. A few brave SSB'ers with new Icom 7300's will sometimes give me a call and quickly duck for cover. So far, no flames or grenades. Keeping it throttled back awaiting a nice beefy AM signal. The band has been relatively dead of late, so I am not too concerned with bandwidth issues. Plenty of room available if you have a working VFO.

Give a listen …


W7NGA dan
Seaside, Oregon

 Dan,

  I have been told that 14.330 is the new AM hangout.  Have only heard a few weak carriers there over the last several months.

  It would be nice to have some AM activity on 20.  I will keep listening and CQ occasionally on both frequencies.

  Ed WA4NJY
  Bradenton, Fl

It seems that the .286 is close to a YL net, or so I've been lead to believe.

IN the past few years, .330 KC, has been utilized.

The glorious Band Plan still has the listing for a AM calling frequency, so, as long as it is published, I think we should still use it as such.... call on .286, and switch up to .330. Do it to save the planet.

klc

14286 is also listed as the QRP calling freq.....I have been using the top of the band 14320-14340 ...watch out for the YL SSB on 14332...  Steve

14.330Mhz works for me. Either frequency will most likely yield SPAM emails for the next year! I miss the days (60's) tuning around the band with an SX-101 and being thrilled to hear a bodacious AM signal. Now, though still as legal, it feels like walking thru a minefield.

See you on 14.330 or 14.286 …

W7NGA

Ashtabula Bill would clear out a hole....

KLC

Haven't heard an AM peep on 14.330 but 14.286 generally yields a call from a SSB'er wondering what the odd signal might be. It is difficult to shoehorn a signal up at 14.330 … a few nets and entitled folks that have 'owned' the frequencies for decades. Odd how that works ...


W7NGA
Seaside, Oregon

I have xtals for 14.286,( HT-9 tx.) The sunspots are non exsistant right now..unless you have some power or gain antenna. Usually you can judge by the signals of SW b'cast around 13.8 or so.

I'm on 14.330 CQing most days. Big antennas, lots of power but few takers - usually SSB stations who don't notice the carrier. I'm not picky.

I listened for 15 minutes, asked twice if the frequency was in use, called CQ on 14.330 Mhz … only to get blasted by two stations complaining that AM signals should NOT be so far up the band and why the heck didn't I consult the 'Band Plan' to see the error of my ways.
Sigh … sometimes you just can't win.  ???

Tell them to check the FCC regs and ask them where the band plan is.... then tell 'em that is the calling freq ........

I make friends.


KLC

I am not impolite and I don't necessarily desire to make friends (or enemies). What I do want to do is exercise my rights to broadcast an AM signal on twenty meters. I know that I can do so, legally, from 14.150 thru 14.350 (plus/minus modulation). There are several recommendations that I target (.286,.330) out of consideration for the wide nature of an AM signal and a general watering-hole consensus.

I do find it annoying and frustrating to be continually admonished and told my Ancient-Modulation should be banished and marched to the back of the bus.


Now get off my lawn  :)

Love your contribution...Well said

If 14.330 is problematic due to sophomoric attitudes and an incessant YL net on 14.332, I think we should all agree on a frequency that works better and make a presence. Those with graphical panadapters can easily identify AM signals across the band. Those without … might never know.

Post a few YL AMers on .330 and see watt happens.... ..

klc

I operate "AROUND 14330".....   From 14300 on up to the top of the band...It has been working out OK and I run into quite a few of the usual suspects that still spin the dial and SDR visual contacts.(."I saw your signal")  Also several S American AM contacts.....I run 20 AM with about 300 watts carrier and a 2 El mono bander ..  don't be afraid to use the entire upper end of the band..

I'm giving up on 20-meters. Too much animus … however, I do see some activity on 15-meters so please look for me on 21.430 during the day here on the west coast of Oregon, USA, 1300-2200 UTC. If you see a blip up there on the panadapter it is probably me. It's a ghost town so far.

dan