As an amateur licensee of 43 years, I have only recently
become aware that there are those who believe that having
not been a party to various gentlemen's agreements, they
are not bound by such.
I made my first 160 meter qso 3 years ago in the CQ 160
meter cw contest. Because I was aware of the "dx window"
and the fact that "gentlemen's agreements" existed, I made a
point of familiarizing myself with them. When I saw regular
contest qso's spill over 1840 khz. and occurring in the dx
window, I assummed that it indicated that it was a given and
an understood fact that the degree of activity dictated that a
relaxed policy was in effect under such circumstances. My
incorrect assessment was furthered by observing all the SSB
activity below 1840 khz. a month later in the CQ 160 SSB
contest. Since I found it rather easy to arrive at such a logical
assessment, I think it is just as easy to assume that others might
also. Since no "borders" exist legally within the band by FCC
dictate, only an agreement among gentlemen and peer pressure
can hope to garner respect for the 1840 khz. dividing line. It
would thus seem appropriate that some means of requesting
the cooperation of "top band users" toward that end, should be
employed. Even then, there will likely remain some who will not
be bound by any sort of agreement. As for me, I will rigidly
adhere to observance of 1840 khz.as the dividing line between
phone and narrow modes, 100% of the time.
73 de Roy WA4DOU
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