The AM Forum

It has become clear that as we are all gentlemen and we operate in accordance with the A.M. gentlemen's agreement; I am calling to all to make full use of the A.M. broken window 20 KHZ from 3870-3890KHZ.

A sad trend is being set with further disregard and contempt for those of us that hold A.M. to our hearts. Yes we all know that legally all phone modes (specifically SSB) can operate within the set aside 20 KHZ, but does this make it right?

I have made attempts to talk with a couple of the NET controls of the groups operating in the window, only to be met with cold and disdainfull animosity.

I purpose that groups operate every 5-6KHZ from 3871 to 3889KHZ. Perhaps not as comfortable as we would like, but affording enough room to make a decent round-table with minimal side-channel interference.

Take the time and dust off that transmitter and join me with the "No-Net Net" anywhere within the A.M. window. I have made it my goal to maximize the enjoyment of our beloved mode and preserve this small corner of the band by simply turning on the transmitter and operating.
If there is 4 or more ops on the same A.M. freq...lets split up and move around the window and OCCUPY this spectrum. This makes it easier for some of the lower power stations to get in on a QSO without SSB interference and have a chance to operate.


Your Inquirer Admin,

Brent(Tina) W1IA

commendable Brent and I support you.  I have troubles with some 4 land SSB stations on 3.878 every afternoon and evening.  Many times in the past they have even shifted to USB to maximize the interference and gone so far as to zero beat us on 3.880.  If you can get that rat's nest cleared out, then everyone on the East coast and Central States would have less trouble,

Well Done Brent... :D

I'm with you, Brent.  It is beyond me why such people as those who "run" the Marconi Net insist on being in this narrow area to which most of us restrict ourselves.  On the other hand, why DO we restrict ourselves to this area?  At any rate, I'll be looking for you and others in the 3870-3890 slot.  Then I am sure there will be "pissing and moaning."  Too Bad!

Whose fault is that?? VFO and receiver knobs were made to turn.

Right Pete.  Even if you're wrong, your're right.

The great day came December 12th,1901 on a winter-swept hill outside St. Johns Newfoundland. :o  There three men- Guglielmo Marconi, G.S. Kemp and P.W. Paget - confidently but tensely adjusted their apparatus, which was connected to a very long wire dangling from a balloon high in the air. At 12:30 Marconi heard it, faintly but distinctly.... :o

The letter "S" tapped out in Morse Code time after time in England was being received in North America. :lol:  An intelligible signal was being sent thru the air - without any wires - from one side of the Earth to the other.
For a startled world,the age of international radio had begun. 8)

In the spirit of that first contact, this is the Marconi Net. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
This is an open net that welcomes all stations interested in the art of the contact and the joy of communication. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  We are a directed net, with a net control, that uses a roundtable format. :lol:  Plenty of opportunities exist to go direct with individual stations, simply contact whomever is serving as net control,sign your call and you will be recognized. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  All of us appreciate your participating in several rounds of the net, if possible. It is not necessary to check out. :lol:

The Marconi Net meets nightly,except Thursdays, at 9PM on or about 3.872. :evil:  Please
support another fine net, the Collins Collectors Association, that meets here on Thursday nights.


While it should not need to be stated or emphasized, common sense and net protocol in general dictate that this net is not a forum for personal disputes  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
between other amateurs and the assembled stations on the net.
In the name of good amateur practice, personal disputes belong off the air. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
This net is not a soapbox for those whose intent is to be disruptive, :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  confrontational or contentious, because the true spirit of our hobby is one of
cooperation and peaceful co-existance.(Sure thing dude) :lol:

Several benefits of this net and nets in general are; conservation of frequency
space encouraging many stations to share one frequency, facilitating meeting and conversing with others from all walks of life, people who otherwise might not have met, discussion of topics of interest and fostering friendships that may lead to one on one contacts. Experienced Amateurs and newcomers alike can assist one another with questions and equipment problems as well. :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  And if I dont like you and dont agree with anything you have to say(Im always right ya know) or you operate AM, you will receive a Macaroni Net OO card.


If you have an interest in serving as net control for the Marconi Net,simply
contact the group, via KB2IXT, who can be reached at KB2IXT@juno.com.


(Alternate the following phrases, then take a listing of stations and go down the list for comments,etc...)

It's another great night of radio,every night.


Great conversation and great radio.


There's an open forum here,it allows people to hear what others are saying.


You've past the test,purchased the radio gear and optimized your antenna system,now it's time to operate slopbucket in the AM window.  :evil:

This is K1MAN!

Can you point to some formal documentation that defines this imaginary AM Window as being the rule of thumb for 75 meter phone operation? I find no mention of it in any band plans. How is this information being dispersed to the ever-evolving phone community to basically imply to all other phone/digital operators to please keep out? To me, this implies ownership (or intended ownership) of a range of frequencies, which is not allowed in our amateur radio regulations. What’s the justification here if the frequency(s) in question are occupied; AM’ers can’t move, AM’ers don’t want to move, AM’ers get lost easy, AM’ers are not flexible?? Have you redefined the term “gentlemen”?

While I agree, it’s nice to have a general range to find other AM stations, filling the range of frequencies with signals just for the sake of keeping everyone else out, is silly.

Hmmmm, Interesting... the question is put forth to the group...

I'd like to hear the answer Again about How the Gentlemens AM agreement came into being.

This proposal seems inflammatory and counterproductive....not relinquishing a frequency to an established net may be 'legal' but still is poor manners, irregardless of the mode(s) involved. It sounds like the ghetto mentality. If your rig has a VFO, use it. That is better than 'baiting' a group who will more than likely try to interfere with you. Wouldn't it make for a more enjoyable conversation to move rather than fighting for a spot in a so called window?

wa2cwa/quote
Can you point to some formal documentation that defines this imaginary AM Window as being the rule of thumb for 75 meter phone operation? I find no mention of it in any band plans. How is this information being dispersed to the ever-evolving phone community to basically imply to all other phone/digital operators to please keep out? To me, this implies ownership (or intended ownership) of a range of frequencies, which is not allowed in our amateur radio regulations. What’s the justification here if the frequency(s) in question are occupied; AM’ers can’t move, AM’ers don’t want to move, AM’ers get lost easy, AM’ers are not flexible?? Have you redefined the term “gentlemen”?

While I agree, it’s nice to have a general range to find other AM stations, filling the range of frequencies with signals just for the sake of keeping everyone else out, is silly.[/quote]

Pete,
I think Brent IS trying to set up an "agreeable" situation, in this regard,
and although "technically legal" most am`ers will NOT just "plank"
themselves down anywhere in the phone band, and are very respectful
of sidebanders, IMO.(it`s called self policing as I recall)

Why is it when an am`er is out of the "am window", most ssb`ers are
not afraid to let them know about it, as if they are operating "illegal",
but an am`er has to "tread lightly" so as not bother a sidebander?

                                        73, Rene, K1MVP :)

Here is the answer to your question --> http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html


What I would really like to know is when the "Gentlemen's Agreement" first came about and by whom.
It, the Gentlemen's Agreement is even mentioned on the Radio Amateurs of Canada website.
Must have been a long time ago, but a Google search was not too helpful.

What I did find doing a electronic QST search was a mention of said agreement in the March 1965 issue.
A gentleman by the name of M.A. Metz W7BJG wrote, and I quote "At the time I became an amateur in '31, as well as today, there were unwritten understandings called Gentlemen's Agreements. These were observed to keep phone operation seperate from c.w. in the bands. With the advent of s.s.b after WWII such an understanding was carried over to help maintain helpful seperation between a.m. and s.s.b. within the phone sectors of our bands."

There you go, the first mention I could find in QST.


.

I would like to see us AM'ers spread out over the phone bands more.  I see that the ARRL band plan for 75 meters lists 3790 - 3800 as the DX window.  Is anyone familiar with the activity in the 3775 to 3790 region?  I think it would be neat to start some regular AM activity in the 3780 - 3785 region, if possible.

 TNX Bruce. That s simple enough to understand.  quote: "This net is not a soapbox for those whose intent is to be disruptive,    confrontational or contentious, because the true spirit of our hobby is one of
cooperation and peaceful co-existance."  Thats the whole reason behind "gentlemens agreements".

I've heard several AM'ers down around those frequencies on weekend afternoons. Of course, none of the AM General Class amateurs can operate down there. But there's been regular AM activity around 3810, 3825, AWA net ~3837, and frequencies in between. AM is phone and can be operated anywhere phone is allowed, dependent only on your license class. Even Steve's web page now lists several more AM "gathering" frequencies.

The biggest problem about operating "out" of the "Gentlemen's Agreement" is the problems it stirs up.

To borrow a phrase from K2VH, the "AM Ghetto" is where those unfriendly to AM would like us to stay.
Operating outside the AM Ghetto causes some individuals to retaliate against the AM community be it QRM or just slandering the mode when they have a chance.

I too am in favor of establishing a “beachhead” outside the traditional AM frequencies; note that the ARRL band plan lists 3885KC as a “Calling Frequency”. Calling frequencies are where contacts are traditionally established and then moved off to another operating frequency. That designation as a calling frequency clearly gives us justification to operate outside the traditional AM watering holes.

With that said, we should be AM Ambassadors on the mode, not operating on a known net frequency – how would you like it if a group SSB ops decided to operate on 3837 used by the AWA nets – or other “known” frequencies. Yes, no one owns the frequency, but courtesy should still apply. Remember that other “Gentlemen’s Agreement”, the Amateur’s Code, the first line of which is “The Radio Amateur is…CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.”

With that said I really favor the lower part of 75, 3800-3850KC, seems to be mostly clear of nets and deranged individuals. It’s already used extensively for AM work, so why not stake it out?

antagonist = WA2CWA

Something, such as a muscle, disease, or physiological process, that neutralizes or impedes the action or effect of another.



Helpful or useful critism welcome. I will not pretend, concede, submit, or bow to the politically correct.  Call it what you will Pete, but a passive aggressive and legal form of utilizing the band to further the enjoyment of other A.M. operators is paramount. I have no time to argue semantics about what or if an A.M. window exists....only that we choose to corral ourselves into the section of the band to avoid conflicts with other modes.

So that said, I welcome USEFUL comments on the topic otherwise go harrass someone else.


Brent W1IA

Fred...counterproductive is dealing with NET(S) that spend 99% of there time operating next to ongoing A.M. qso's and complaining about A.M. sidechannel interference and taking new ops under there wing to fill there heads with mis-information about our mode of choice and encouraging these new ops to write Riley and complain about supposed interference. Inflammatory is moving the ssb NET aound the A.M. calling frequency to cause controversey; despite the fact that other areas of the band are free to operate the NET.

Quite frankly it far more productive to fill this 20khzs of the band with A.M. qso's than it is to move anywhere in the band. Have you operated at night and tried to find a clear area to operate? If you did find a clear spot to operate outside of the "A.M. Window" you would endure endless jamming and intentional interference. You can call it anything you want "Ghetto Mentallity" or otherwise. I am NOT encouraging illegal operating practices...what I am proposing is we make use of the band and make it comfortable for ALL A.M. stations to operate and enjoy.

The Net(s) involved need no baiting...they have made it a point to make life miserable for all A.M. stations in the "A.M. Window" and have been causing endless antagonism for 2 straight years.

Interesting that many with quick comments about this subject have not been operating on the band, but seem to find  time to troll for controversial subjects on the board. I am not sure this applies to you, but many. I have said it before and will say it again...turn off the computer and join me and others on the band.

Brent W1IA

These NETS meet mostly during daylight hours with FEW exceptions. Most operators are firing up the filaments in the evening when most of the problems occur. Are you ever on the band? I am not sure I have ever worked you at all. Try it you'll like it.....beats the hell out of trolling ; )

B

?????

Get some sleep Brent.

 This also is posted on the ARRL site

http://www.bozo.com/      I have my reasons        ::)

The ARRL link defines what freqencies AM activity can be found. It doesn't define any specific range(Windows) of frequencies other than for 10 meters.

Here is the ARRL Band Plan for 80/75 meters:
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html#80m

 True. But It shows where the "calling frequencies" are. One can only assume AM activity would be near those frequencies. I guess that is where the  unwritten "gentlemen's agreement" might come in play.

    The ARRL listing is inane. Calling frequencies are meant to be used and then cleared as is operating practice on VHF. Some months ago, I posted a question here concerning the definition of a calling frequency. No one seemed to be able to come up with a definition. To list 3885 as an AM calling frequency just makes no sense at all. 
   

  Yes. You call on that frequincy and move off. But  it makes sense if a certain mode of transmission is used on a particular calling frequincy, it would  be a natural gathering place near it.

On the other hand, operating inside the "gentlemen's agreement" requires that all involved parties be gentlemen which is clearly not the case. Regular, intentional interference, jamming, to ongoing AM QSO's from slopbucket stations makes that pretty obvious...


Yes, but that needs to come from both sides of the fence. There appears to be a trend these days to establish and operate a net with the sole purpose of monopolizing a frequency.... yes, frequency ownership, which we all know is not only inconsiderate but illegal. How long before there is a made-up rag chew net every 10khz just to hold a freq?

How about following the rules and be considerate at the same time... if a qso is in progress on some net frequency, the net can start up a few khz on either side.  I'm not saying it has to be that way in every instance..It's a give and take.. In the case of the AWA, these guys are operating vintage gear, some may be under xtal control, so that can be explained to the guys in qso and they can be asked to move.  We shouldn't have to walk on egg shells... Most everyone has a VFO, amateurs should be smart enough to be able to find their "net" even if it's not dead nuts on the "established" freq.

Just to show what kind of stand up people we are dealing with: they are now harassing AM QSOs on 160. I heard a couple of guys from 3875 complaining about the QRM on 1985 during their regular AM get together last night. These pasta boilers seem to thrive on trouble making. Sure sign of radio boredom since they have little substance.

These "hams" are nothing more than subhuman CB'ers that have no life other than trying to cause trouble. If trouble is what thay want........trouble is what they will get.
I dont want this kind of bullsh*t anymore than the next guy.....but these scums need a good "behind the barn" spanking.

disregard AM here for a second.
everytime i have been in a SSB convo i am told i have to move because there is a net schedualed on the frequency...
in my opinion, NETS should only be for emergency traffic... not for everyday BS sessions just so you can hold the frequency.
If you on the air and someone comes on and says " can you please move, our (insert topic here) net is starting up"
your response should be "are you passing emergency traffic? if not then the frequency is in use"
of course sometimes you should be a gentleman and move, i suppose it also depends on the way they ask.

        AMEN and AMEN, Blain! I think you hit the nail on the head.  However, daily and
weekly nets have steadily grown over the years to the point there is little spectrum
left for the non-net QSO. If we start this, there will be a long and protracted war with
the Net dudes. How does one go about  changing this without causing chaos?

    Ever wonder where instant slopbucket QRM comes from on the high end of 40? The head Barforoni used to also play net czar on ECARS on 40 (I don't know if he still does). They frequently get people meeting there who need a place to move to for a QSO. Mr. oasis used to tell them that nobody uses the top 10 khz so go there. Nice guy eh? It's all on mylar with the rest of the stuff.

I happened to be listening and followed these guys down to 160. They fired up on 1988. If there was an AM QSO on 1985 at the time, they were below the noise level (here in central  Jersey). I didn't start hearing any AM carriers on 1985 until 15 to 20 minutes after they fired up on 1988 and even then, the AM carriers were just above the noise. Both QSO's seem to move along without a lot of P&M. But on 75, can you really find a lot of QSO's where somebody isn't bitching about something.

Got to remember Bill, this is not always mode specific.

Your right Pete. Even when you aren't right you are still right. It's allright. No pattern here at all.

Just wanted to make sure you had all the facts. Of course, some patterns are a fact of life on 75. Let's go hold that frequency before somebody else gets it.

Sorry,  I'd love to go hold the frequency but I actually have a life outside of ham radio.
Just keep listening Pete and you might catch on as to what is going on. 

Yep, I've  listened and "read" both sides of the fence.

Glad to see that you are informed. I would expect nothing less.

Hey Dave -- I see you've figured out that Pete is always right too.  Even when he's wrong he's right.  That must be just wonderful -- to be always right!!

Ya never feel bad, or confused, when you're    always right

(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5264.0;id=163;image)

[Ya never feel bad, or confused, when you're    always right

(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5264.0;id=163;image)

You would know, Pete. ::)

well there was a loud ssb qso plunked on 3875 and
one at 3895 the other night.  and they were a lot
louder than an am qso on 85, I don't think anyway
would be able to kick them off a frequency. vfo time.

Once again,

"It is a tale . . . full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

--Shakespeare

What if your a Left(y)..Right is left and Left is Right.

It Is Right to operate on a clear frequency, of your choosing.

I'd like to post that picture that was in the old VHF Manuals that said "Now Send with your left Foot"...

I always liked that... :)

Well Pete, I don't know how formal you'd consider this source since it IS an ARRL publication.

ARRL Operating Manual
8th edition c. 2003

Page 1-14:

"AM operation is generally found between 3870 and 3890 kHz"

I can loan you a copy if you don't want to spend the 25 bux.

I had a long conversation with Fred KB2IXT and extended the olive branch. I came to the realization that we need to come to a productive solution in regards to the "Marconi Net" and the conflicts resulting from operating on 3872 khzs.

The operation of the "No-Net Net" will be operated with positive topics, and I will no longer spoof Fred's Net.
Fred said that he will make an effort to find a better location for his net I suggested that 3892 may be a better choice. Fred also agreed to address a few of the members who have moved the net around the AM window to spite.

Please try to respect Freds net and I will do the same and set a positive example.

Humbly,

Brent W1IA

Brent:
I glad that everyone involved has taken the high road on this one. This could have turned into another Wally and Richard situation. I heard the Marconi net up on 3892, thought that it was because of the 3873 emergency net, but maybe that will be a good home for them. Now if we just give them a little breathing room, this conflict will get resolved once and for all.

I also will do my part by getting on more frequently. I have taken a long hiatus from operating, but its time to get back in the fray. I miss all of the fun and good times. ;D

...this action of people just stinks...i was home last week,listening on 7290-95,abt 11am. i was werking away in the shack. i heard no activity.this was well before the hurricane,so there was no emerg. traffic happening...not a sound out of the receiver..ok,grabbed the switch,asked if the freq was in use.no answer. starting calling cq. ok,it may have been a  l o n g  cq,but never the less,i did call,maybe 2-3 times..nothing. called again,and suddenly out of nowhere,a ssb station came on the freq.,and told me the freq was in use. that i should have regard to "net" operations,and that i am lucky that an "OO",was not present,to inform me of my "infraction"...huh? ...sk..

"Now if we just give them a little breathing room, this conflict will get resolved once and for all."

3891 is a very popular AM frequency in the mid-west.  Why don't THEY give US a little breathing room, and go five or more KHz above 3891 or five or more KHz below 3870?  It's a big band.  Must they snuggle up to the AMers?  Strikes me that they're still only trying to cause trouble, even with the revised protocol.

2VH

Unless a net is a real emergency traffic net, its a no-net. That's the way I operate. Period!.. If a frequency is not in use, I call to make sure... "is this freq in use?" if no answer, then I use it. Pardon my english but these "squatter's nets" are bullshit plain and simple. No one owns a freq, net or not. The OO can stick his OO notice in his O-hole. Interfering with valid emegerncy communications is another issue entirely.

...glen,i agree..what i like is when these meatheads actually attempt to get the fcc,or an "oo"on my tail...i love it when they are told they have no business interfering with the communications of a foriegn amateur radio operator....me! ..sk..

Hi Brent,
I think this is a good start. Lets see what happens.....

      Unfortunately Brent, IN MY OPINION, you are dealing with a socially and emotionally retarded individual. He is an opportunist and a backstabbing bully. Only problem is that he is severely lacking one very important tools to have when behaving as he does.
     The only thing that has changed is that he and his dees and dose followers know that they will not be allowed to squat on 3872 during the emergency down South. He is simply kissing your ass hoping that you will influence others to make room for him and his empire elsewhere. BTW he owes me a face to face apology which WILL happen sooner or later. I looked the other way before. Not going to happen again.
    You are a very tolerant person offering this slug more than one olive branch. Good for you. Now let him deal with the dozens of other AM people whom he has has defamed in public.
    Some of the ragulars in that group would be lost if they knew that they weren't interfering with or preventing AM activity.
     No Phredophiles
     No Oasisissys
     No G5RV's.   

Great to see things trying to move in a positive direction. Maybe you should invite him to the AM Forum.

Strange, I have known about this since the 60's? If you never heard of this unwritten agreement then I can only assume that you do not operate AM. As far as I'm concerned I intend to operate wherever my license says I can. I usually stick to the window because that's where the AM'ers that I want to talk to always hang out. If your not in the window but running AM I'll fire up the VFO and move alright, right to wherever you are and I'll call you. Sideband "Nets" that have value and talk about all kinds of pasta only exist in the window to cause problems. The guys that run that net know that they are in the window and choose to operate there to cause as much stink as possible. Well OK, you run SSB nets in the window, don't complain if all you can hear is AM stations. The band is large. Take note of where 99.9% of the SSB operators live. We try to stay away from those channels in order to peacefully coexist with SSB stations but when they crap in our yard, don'y piss and moan when we sic the dogs on ya. PS, your jamming us with piss weak carriers is appreciated. It keeps the noise down on the channel. Thanks.
Keith
WA1HZK

Hey Pete,

     Why not disconnect your lawn sprinkler timer from the transmitter and get on with us during the week? Might be a little different than SWLing. You are supposed to be semi-retired no?

I understand the squeeze, but since he had been operating there it provided at least 3885 and 3875 as possibles. It is still an improvement over 3872. Dave I don't know the circumstances under which Fred caused you problems and perhaps it can be resolved. I have had less aggrevation with Fred than some of the Marconi net cling-ons.

I have been threatened by a couple of his net members and have resisted the temptation to respond. I am trying to bite my tongue; but maybe hope springs eternal. This doesn't mean that I will tolerate these actions, just that I am approaching things differently. I am relying on help from others too provide recordings and informaton to submit to Hollingsworth as needed.

I am open to suggestions....as I said to Fred "..its going to be a long winter and we need to resolve these issues.."

Brent W1IA

Generally of late when I do get on 75 in the evening, I've been diddling with PSK 31 down the lower end or I'm up on 40 SSB with the NCX-3 or 5. Besides these bands, you can generally find me on 6 meters. 75 AM during the evening hours doesn't excite me. I can "work the locals" and  get QRM free transmissions on the audio/visual or audio forums. Don't believe all the stories you might hear that retired people have lots a spare time to play radio.

In the interest of full disclosure I'll mention that I used to work with Fred, KB2IXT in the mid-1980's when I was the chief engineer at a large broadcast station in Albany. I'm not sure if he was licensed back then, but I knew he had an interest in Ham radio. Generally speaking, I found Fred to be suffering from an inferiority complex, and he was obstinate and a bit opinionated, but definitely not malicious. In those days he was a nerdy kid, and kind of looked and sounded like Henry Gibson from the old Rowan & Martin Laugh-in show.

I hadn't thought about Fred for many years, but the personality type described here sounded familiar. So when I googled his callsign and saw Fred Thumbhart mentioned, I said to myself...yep, same old Fred! Apparently Riley wrote him up a few years back for causing interference on 75-meters. It doesn't sound like time or maturity have mellowed out Fred yet.

BTW, if you really want to get his goat, call him "Thumper" (the rabbit from Winnie-the-Pooh) That's the nickname he earned while he worked for us.

73, Jim
WA2AJM/3

..hi from tim...'just finished a qso with phil,k2pg on 1885. i thought we were going to have a good qso,his signal in toronto is always strong..half-way thru our qso,(and i know they can hear us),a group of over-processed ssb operators starting a qso,just above us. this is the kind of thing that drives me nuts. i tuned around after phil and i finished,and there was lots of space on 160 fer these guys to go.this kind of operation is uncalled for.deliberate interference. i do have a question about 160 operations in the u.s. i know you guys are restricted by where you can go,because of your class of ticket,but is this the same on 160? ..sk..

KA3ZLR wrote:

"Hmmmm, Interesting... the question is put forth to the group...

I'd like to hear the answer Again about How the Gentlemens AM agreement came into being."


I don't think anyone answered your question Jack. As best I can tell, the idea of a gentlemen's agreement for an AM Window is a myth.  In my nearly 30 years of involvement with AM on 75 meters, the AM Window has never been observed by SSB stations. I think most never heard of the mythical gentlemen's agreement, so they can't really be blamed for anything.

Maybe there was some informal agreement reached by a few back in the 60's, but most of those people are gone. Regardless, the utility of an AM Window has passed, if it ever was a good idea. The AM Window on 75 meters is as follows.

3850-4000 kHz for the General Class
3775-4000 kHz for the Advanced Class
3750-4000 kHz for the Extra Class.

Use those VFOs.

The top one is cool. I see Trio on it. Got any more info?

The bottom one looks like an automated milling machine.

Trio unit is VFO-1:  http://home.catv.ne.jp/dd/te21c/vfo1.htm

It was also branded as the Lafayette HE-74:
http://homepage3.nifty.com/ja1vbn/radio/lafayette/he74.jpg

The second this starts, zero beat and tell them that they are too close to your existing QSO. Ask them to move up some. Maybe suggest 2 or 3kc. Lots of operators don't know how to figure proper spacing. This includes many AM people also. Usually, these guys start talking when some weak station is buzzarding away. When the stronger AM station starts his transmission the ssb guys get the impression that the AM has just moved in on THEM.

Some of these people are malicious and some are just plain ignorant. You can almost always tell the difference as the malicious ones are the guys who have nothing interesting to say. They are usually on EVERY night and are bored.

If the same group of operators decides to make a habit out of interfering with you then I suggest following Riley Hollongsworth's advice about sandbox squabbles.

Never get off the air when being intentionally interfered with unless the power goes out. You just can't tell who might be recording or direction finding.

The truth always comes out in the wash sooner or later. It's obvious that someone has really given this poor fella the business in the past. He is acting out by being a jerk on the air.

... i don't know much about mr. hollingsworth,and he doe'snt have to answer to me. i did send him an email,and he did reply,although it was short. i'm not sure he can do any good,i do know one thing about the man,he certainly can't spell...sk..

There are tines when we could use a spelll checkker on this board too.

Doesn't your computer operating system provide spell checking?

I remember the early '60s. The deal was AMers strapped the mush mouths
to above 3900 and below 3840 if they were good boys. The only thing you heard in the am picture bow window was audio and tones from the beating of carriers....strong carriers....Is anyone around this is W1TJX

What does the computer operating system have to do with writing/editing/spell checking on this board?

Everything.

I don't know about yours, but the OS on my computer automatically spell checks any text I type, in any application (e.g. web browser on this board, in a text editor, in a word processor, in a email app, in a friggin chat room). It's been around for over a decade. It's called system wide spell checking. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it.

Ah, forgot; A Mac user is like a computer OS bible beater.

maaN eYe cud uzzz cistum weyed spel chekin here.

"Ah, forgot; A Mac user is like a computer OS bible beater."

You're wrong again Pete. No one beating an OS bible. You asked a question and I answered it. If you don't like the answer, that's your problem.

The solution is available. If you choose not to utilize it, further complaints are just whining. ::)

Thanks for the tasty response; some things never change. Not sure why I thought you were “Mac OS bible beating”. It’s hard to believe I could be so wrong. Anyway, never said I didn’t like the answer nor was I making a complaint (spell checker comment was based on observations). I don’t need to buy a Mac to get spell checking when I post here or with my e-mail program or word-processor. Generally all my responses of any length are run through a spell checker on my machine before they’re put up for posting.

Steve, have you upgraded to OSX yet?

When one throws around stereotypes, one may get a tasty response. ;) Rather ironic coming from an ARRL bible beater like yourself.  ;D

All chain yanking aside, there are programs out there that will allow you to 'add' spell checking to most/many Windows applications. AutoSpell Suite is one of them. I'm pretty sure there are others. While dumping the text to a text-ed/word processor and spell checking works, having it built-in to every program is pretty convenient. I've noticed the text windows in many on-line forums and response areas are very small. I like to compose in a text editor in those cases. When the line length is less the 60-80, I find reading text more laborious.

Yes, I am a Mac user, and a Windows user, Unix user, Yaesu user, Collins user (guess that makes me a collector snob), and and Motrin user. I've also used computers made by Tektronix, Hewlett-Packard, Sun, Apollo, Commodore, Sperry, IBM and Cray, to name a few.

Don, I'm using Mac OS X. It has the system-wide spell checking. The prior Mac OS did not. The system to which I was referring as having such capability for about a decade was Nextstep. The point is that there are lots of choices out there in the computer world. Don't box yourself in. Same goes for people too (except for slopbuckets).

Steve said:

I've used  and worked on all those with the exception of the Cray. But you forgot to mention the DEC and CDC's (loved those micro and mini VAXes). All the Sperry's I worked on still carried the 'UNIVAC' moniker.

Steve.....that explains everything........ ::)

Lets not forget.......

(http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/trs80-m1/trs80-m1.jpg)

Glenn - Love that "Trash 80"! I had one with 16K of external memory and a thermal printer. Thought it was hotstuff" at the time. When I upgraded to a 8088 IBM system I couldn't give the Trash 80 away. Wound up scrapping it for parts.
Regards,
          Joe N3IBX

Hey Joe!...

16K of ram? wow! you had the upgraded model! ;D I think mine only had 4k  :o