As recent as last Spring, it was not uncommon for CBers to be heard on the 10 Meter band. I realize that *some* of it is due to conditions during this sunspot cycle. However, I know that there USED to be quite a lot of decidedly LOCAL activity up and down Interstate 85 which would not be affected by 'skip'. These days one can listen to the lower end of 28 MHZ and rarely hear a trucker transmitting. So I'll ask a few questions for the sake of civil discussion.
Do you think it is due to the lack of "skip"?
Is it due to the discussions about the problem on both CB and Amateur forums?
How about publishing of FCC busts on ham, CB, and truck forums?
For awhile, hams were vigorously monitoring the 10 and 12 Meter bands and reporting visual sightings of people transmitting on these bands to FCC. What impact do you think this had the apparent reduction of illegal transmissions on the 10 Meter band?
Do you think truck drivers quickly spread the word among fellow drivers that this was illegal and FCC was sending warning notices?
What about the notices to companies? What impact do you think this had in, for example, requiring their drivers to remove "export" radios?
I am sure this activity will pick up as the 11 year cycle improves, but the fact remains that, at this time, LOCAL use of the 10 Meter band seems to have greatly reduced and the FCC enforcement against trucks has lessened. IOW, while one may, at times, hear an illegal station far off, there is little or no local action on 28 MHZ.
So, while being civil, what has made the most impact on the problem of illegal operators on the Amateur bands?
73
CWM
Do you think it is due to the lack of "skip"?
Is it due to the discussions about the problem on both CB and Amateur forums?
How about publishing of FCC busts on ham, CB, and truck forums?
For awhile, hams were vigorously monitoring the 10 and 12 Meter bands and reporting visual sightings of people transmitting on these bands to FCC. What impact do you think this had the apparent reduction of illegal transmissions on the 10 Meter band?
Do you think truck drivers quickly spread the word among fellow drivers that this was illegal and FCC was sending warning notices?
What about the notices to companies? What impact do you think this had in, for example, requiring their drivers to remove "export" radios?
I am sure this activity will pick up as the 11 year cycle improves, but the fact remains that, at this time, LOCAL use of the 10 Meter band seems to have greatly reduced and the FCC enforcement against trucks has lessened. IOW, while one may, at times, hear an illegal station far off, there is little or no local action on 28 MHZ.
So, while being civil, what has made the most impact on the problem of illegal operators on the Amateur bands?
73
CWM