Most of the "automatic" or "unattended" sub-bands or band segments on HF were formed many years ago before such operations become so widely popular as they are now. Presently there are many thousands of hams actively using these methods, and it is increasing daily.
Thus, the segments devoted to it in the IARU Region bandplans and various national assignments are woefully inadequate. You can see view all the various bandplans at: http://hflink.com/bandplans Generally speaking, the IARU Region 1 Bandplan lists unattended operation, while the IARU Region 2 Bandplan lists automatic operation. But, automatic or unattended operation isn't just for messaging or email anymore. Even the so-called "weak signal" digital modes are using automatic or unattended methods now. JT65A is a typical example. It is programmed by the operator to send repetitive transmissions on a schedule. JT65A mode operators rarely listen by ear (because the signals are often below the noise). If they are involved at all with the process directly, it is most likely to occasionally view a waterfall with a long time constant, with the main intention to spot other JT65A signals with long duration carriers. As HF digital technology moves forward, we are seeing the distinction getting blurry between what is "manual" and what is "automatic" or "unattended". It seems that the real distinctions that may sift out in the future are the differences between frequency-division and time-division methods of digital and analog HF operation. There are modes that may blur the line between either one of these categories, but generally, this is the direction it is headed. Automatic -vs- manual may have become a quaint term of reference that might better be relegated to 20th century thinking. Bonnie KQ6XA
