Jim Macklin wrote:
Sorry, it is published in the AIM, don't we all know that by
heart?


Jim,

If you'll see my post above, you'll see that although the AIM says
122.85 is valid for air-to-air, the FCC regs ( 47CFR87 ) say it's not.
The FCC regs are the ones which govern frequency usage, not the FAA.

Here's a snippet from an email I got from an FCC guy in DC that is
helping me out with this :

"Dear John: You are correct. Frequency 122.75 MHz is the only
designated air-to-air frequency and 122.85 MHz is designated for use in
the Grand Canyon area as well as 121.95 MHz and 127.05 MHz . You can
find that provision in 87.187 (bb) of the Rules.

You might point out to them that 87.323 is for Ground Stations;
communications from the ground to the air and it is primarily used
under this section on a secondary basis. The frequency 122.85 MHz is
primarily used and licensed to Aviation Multicom ground stations for
ground to air communications. (See 87.237 and 87.241) You can locate
our rules online at http://wireless.fcc.gov/rules.html "

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)