Episode Description
Are we ignoring half the ham bands?
In this episode, Eric N1JUR, Todd W1STJ, Paul N1OG, and Mike N2MAK dig into the “lost bands” of amateur radio — 220 MHz (1.25m), 900 MHz (33cm), 60 meters, and other underused parts of the spectrum.
Why are these bands so quiet?
Is it cost? Equipment availability? Programming headaches?
Or are we just stuck on 2 meters and 440?
We break down:
220 MHz — the “bridge band” (aka the El Camino band)
900 MHz resurgence with surplus Motorola radios
DMR & CPS software barriers
Baofeng vs. buying once, crying once
Why manufacturers won’t build a true “do-it-all” radio
How POTA growth could change future radio design
Propagation differences between 2m, 70cm, 220 & 900
If you’ve ever asked:
👉 “Is 220 worth it?”
👉 “Should I try 900 MHz?”
👉 “Why doesn’t anyone use these bands?”
This one’s for you.
We’ve got the spectrum… maybe it’s time we actually use it.
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