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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"><FONT
color=#ff6600>ALE 5MHZ CHANNELS<BR></FONT>For many years, we have always
included 2 <BR>channels at 5MHz in the international ham <BR>radio ALE channel
list: <BR>5371.5 kHz USB<BR>5403.5 kHz USB<BR><BR>These 2 channels are the most
common <BR>internationally and are presently designated <BR>Emergency Only. We
probably will change the <BR>designations to Primary and Secondary.<BR><BR>See
channel list:<BR></FONT><A href="http://hflink.com/channels/"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">http://hflink.com/channels/</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
size=3 face="Times New Roman">BACKGROUND OF ALE 5MHZ ACTIVITY<BR>Hams in some
countries have been using 5MHz <BR>channels for ALE for a long time; however,
<BR>operators in USA have not been allowed, <BR>due to the "voice-only" FCC 5MHz
rule. <BR><BR>5MHZ ALE IN USA <BR>The new 5MHz rule changes (allowing Data
<BR>with certain limitations) will go into effect in <BR>about one month. Then
it will be possible for USA <BR>ham operators to utilize some aspects of ALE on
5MHz. <BR><BR>EMISSION TYPE AND COMPLIANCE OF ALE SIGNAL<BR>The ALE signal
complies with the requirements of <BR>the new 5MHz FCC rules. The rule allows
the <BR>use of Data content using Emission Type 2K80J2D. <BR>The 2K80 means 2.80
kHz bandwidth. The J2D means <BR>"SSB transmitter modulated with Data content".
The <BR>rule says that 2.8 kHz is the maximum bandwidth, <BR>but lesser
bandwidth may be used. An example of <BR>this allowed lesser bandwidth Emission
Type is <BR>2K00J2D, the Emission Type of ALE 8FSK signal.
<BR><BR>PROGRAMMING<BR>PCALE and some ALE transceivers can be programmed <BR>for
compliance with the new USA rules on 5MHz. Also, <BR>operators will need to
follow specific operating <BR>procedures to ensure compliance with both the
<BR>spirit and the exact requirements of the rules. <BR><BR>5MHZ QRG FILL FILES
AND SET-UP<BR>The following items will be available soon for <BR>5MHz ALE
operation:<BR>1. a QRG fill file for PCALE with instructions for <BR>setup will
be available for download soon. <BR>2. programming information for ALE
radios.<BR>3. a Quick Reference Card for 5MHz operation.<BR><BR>ARTICLE IN
PROGRESS<BR>I am currently writing an article about USA <BR>5MHz ALE for
HFLINK.COM website. The article will <BR>provide details and information about
rules <BR>conformity and ALE set up. The rule changes were <BR>announced only a
few days ago, and it may take a <BR>little time for full interpretation.
<BR><BR>BASIC FACTORS ABOUT 5MHZ ALE OPERATION USA<BR>Here are some factors we
already know about, <BR>that will need to be covered for compliance with <BR>the
new 5MHz FCC rules: <BR>1. Use of Listen-Before-Transmit protocol.<BR>2. §
97.221 rules section changes for 5MHz.<BR>3. Use of manual sounding. <BR>4. Use
of ALE signal for Selective Calling. <BR>5. Use of Manual and/or Remote control.
<BR>6. Compliance with the bandwidth requirements.<BR>7. Compliance with the
station control requirements.<BR><BR>CONCLUSION<BR>At the present time, it
appears that 5MHz ALE <BR>operation for USA hams may be similar to how <BR>we
presently use ALE on the HFL SSB Voice net. <BR>We look forward to the great
benefit of the <BR>5MHz channels filling in the gap of propagation <BR>for hams,
especially those involved with Emcomm.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR>Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA,
VR2KQ6XA<BR>International Coordinator <BR>Global ALE High Frequency
Network</FONT><BR><BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>