It's been almost a year and a half since the FCC expanded the phone segment of the 75/80 meter band, giving amateurs more room to operate depending on their class of license.  By the way, this expansion also took place on some of the other HF phone bands as well, but the most significant change occurred on the 75/80 meter amateur band.  (see Fig 1)



    Fig 1---new 80 meter band plan effective December 15, 2006

On this band, the FCC has now allowed phone operation from 3600 kHz all the way  up to 4000 kHz., with 100 kHz of band space     (3600 kHz - 3700 kHz)  dedicated to those amateurs who hold the Extra class license.   This would seem to be a great incentive for most AM operators to upgrade to the highest class license, and for those who already have it, to take advantage of the QRM free frequencies below 3700 kHz. 

As a matter of fact, before the new band plan went into effect, there was a lot of talk on the band about how wonderful this would be for the AM'ers.  Now they really would have an opportunity to move out of their ghetto area up around 3885 kHz, spread out, and be able to operate without the constant bickering with ssb stations, and for that matter, other AM stations operating within 5 kHz of each other. 

In the process, AM would now have a greater presence across the band, providing for an increased  acceptance of the mode within the amateur community.  It seems that this was wishful thinking. 

Reluctantly, some AM'ers did move away from the ghetto, only to establish other ghetto areas lower in frequency.  Some of the channel master stations decided that they would choose new frequencies down the band, where they would park and hold court, and of course they were followed by their lower powered disciples. 

As a result, we now have just a few frequencies where most AM'ers are heard on a regular basis.  Forget the idea of calling CQ on any open frequency.  The new channels for AM are now   3705 kHz,  3725 kHz,  3733 kHz,  3880 kHz, and 3885 kHz.  Not one channel is in the Extra class segment of the 80 meter band.  On a rare occasion you might  hear a brave operator or two below 3700 kHz operating in the AM mode, but for the most part, ssb occupies this segment of the band.

What a missed opportunity!  This new band plan, if it had been taken advantage of by the AM community, would have provided a great showcase for AM.  Instead, we now have just a few channels where multiple stations gather, waiting to make a transmission,  all holding hands on one frequency, instead of spreading out on many frequencies. 

So who do we credit for this CB type channelized AM operation?  The Buffalo Kilowatt Bookend Home Office, after lengthy monitoring, has determined that the following stations deserve mention.

Congratulations gentleman!