Dale,
That's a valid concern. In Alabama, we have a group of FM DX'ers who
enjoy communicating over long distances on simplex. They use high power,
large antenna arrays, etc. Here they use frequencies other than 146.520
to conduct statewide nets, ragchew, and DX.
Occasionally, you'll find these operators monitoring 146.520, as their
nets are confined to Sunday nights. But I've never heard them be
anything other than kind, courteous, and professional.
During past contests, I've often checked into the simplex net, and asked
net control to allow me to make contest contacts immediately after the
net. These exchanges have always put a few new contacts, and sometimes a
new grid into the log.
In metro areas like Chicago, it may be a bigger issue, but 146.520 is a
ghost town compared to years gone by. I travel around the US
extensively, and operate simplex often. Even with a 60 watt mobile rig,
it can be difficult to raise anyone, especially outside "drive times".
I think the main responsibility lies with operators trying to initiate
contest contacts, as Dale suggested. Be brief, and don't monopolize the
frequency with endless CQ's. Fingers crossed that we don't hear of any
problems come the January event.
Or as Steely Dan put it best, "FM-No static at all...."
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296
On 10/30/2015 9:46 AM, Dale wrote:
Les,
To be honest, I cringed when I saw that announcement. Yeah, I know
that .52 goes unused during contests, and I have been glad for that.
A major reason for my saying this is that back in pre-historic times
(1970s and '80s), I lived and operated in the Chicago suburban area.
I really did not do contests then, except for Field Day with the local
club.
Contesting on '52 is OK as long as everyone keeps a level head, keeps
the contacts short, and goes to other simplex freqs to find more
contacts. The problem around the Chicago area was that there were a
few, very few (but that's all it takes) lids who would get on '52 and
fire up their high power amps, calling CQ to rag chew and not contest,
thus blocking the frequency for a 50 mile radius (or more) and killing
contest contacts. That went away as soon as the "no contesting" rule
went into effect.
So, maybe the lids have moved on or become SKs by now, but let us hope
that such antics do not return.
73, Dale
WA9ENA
EN-42
--
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296
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