A number of issues have triggered the review:

- the general popularity of the 40m band for medium range and mobile communications;
- the forthcoming increased loading of the band following the introduction of the new Foundation licence and granting of access to Standard (formerly Novice/Novice Limited) licensees; and
- the increasing popularity of digital modes, such as PSK31 and WinLink.

A new 40m band plan will:

• provide for more efficient utilisation of the entire 7000-7300 kHz segment;
• minimise interference between voice, CW and data modes;
• reduce loading on the current voice segment around 7060-7100 kHz through the encouragement of voice nets above 7100 kHz;
• ease the introduction of new users to the band, by the creation of newcomer-specific nets above 7200 kHz; and
• provide a specific segment for automated data modes, such as WinLink.

The new band plan will be formulated with reference to the corresponding band plans of the IARU and other Region 3 countries.

It will also take account of international developments, such as defining segments in terms of emission bandwidth, rather than by emission modes.

Any band plan obviously must have the support of the majority of users. To this end, the WIA seeks input from all amateurs on a new 40m plan.Please send your comments and suggestions to vk4du@wia.org.au

The target date for completion of the new draft plan is September 30.VK4DU

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

We certainly can't allocate digital at 7070. The current digital segment tops out at 7040 - hence my question about SSB operation from 40-50 - I was thinking of extending the digital segment another 10k to 7050.

However, it appears that there is too much SSB DX between 40 and 50.....so we will probably have to leave the current digital segment (7030-40), and go above 7100...

I personally have not heard any ssb DX between 7030 and 7050

I have been suffering QRM from what appears to be an automatic
ATV repeater, 7055, in the last 2-3 weeks, this has driven me crazy. I believe from the ident that is from Victoria somewhere

73

A couple of comments on the new band plan:

There is NO intention to move any existing SSB nets, or move SSB operation in general above 7100 - we are only encouraging activity above 7100.

The whole purpose of spreading activity above 7100 is to encourage use of the unused sections of 40m - that's it. However, if you do not want to go above 7100 there is no compulsion, whatsoever.

Fitting in with the broadcasters, particularly at night, will be tricky, however there are vacant areas we can use. We have 300 kHz of band space, which we have fought very hard for, against lots of international opposition. We should be using more of it - the old adage 'use it or loose it' applies here.

Of course, you are fully within your right to speak where ever you want on 40 - the ACMA does not mandate bandplans, they are purely a gentleman's agreement - i.e. voluntary. However, if we all ignored the band plans, I'm sure you would agree that there would be chaos on the bands.

I'm glad to have found this forum, as I am after the view of DX'ers on band plan changes, and this seems the right place to start.

I'm a DX'er myself, but only on CW, so I'm not really across SSB DX, apart from a few US nets around 7150.

A couple of specific questions:

1. Is there much SSB DX between 7030 and 7050?
2. Do you suffer from much QRM in the general phone segment above 7050?