SV: [CQ-Contest] New WPX Rules...

[andrew]

In message <009801be7ace$509a6560$df67f482 at np845>, Jan-Eric Rehn/SM3CER
<sm3cer at contesting.com> writes

>This situation is exactly the same as if I should call CQ somewhere between 
>7040-7100 and QSX 7090 for US stations on SSB. I beleive that frequency is only 
>for CW for you in the US. I know that is forbidden for you - therefore I don't 
>do it. You know it's forbidden for us in Region 1 to work SSB in the CW segment 
>7000-7040 - but you QSX below 7040 and I just can't understand why - and it's 
>the same year after year.

WRONG WRONG WRONG.  Total and complete misinformation.  It is NOT
illegal to operate SSB below 7040 in Region 1.  Let me quote from the
bandplan listings in the RSGBs magazine RadCom (April 1999 p47 Note 6).  

"The Region 1 IARU HF band plans are designed to enable the best
utilisation of the HF spectrum space available.  They achieve this
objective because the vast majority of licensed amateurs observe the
voluntary recommendations.  In some countries (eg the USA) license
regulations require that specific modes be confined to specific sections
of the band".

Note the key word "VOLUNTARY".  During a contest where the SSB parts of
the band are VERY busy, I don't see a problem with drifting below the
7040 mark.  BTW, I *much* prefer CW, but I have a relaxed attitude to
this.  After all, it only happens for a few (peak) hours each evening in
MAJOR contests like CQWW and CQ WPX.  The ops who do this are NOT
breaking any rules (although the people who abuse them on the air
without IDing are), they are simply 'utilising the HF spectrum space
available'.

>IARU REGION 1 HF BAND PLAN (as adopted at the 1996 General Conference)
>
>7000 - 7035 CW 
>7035 - 7040 Digimode except packet (*), SSTV, FAX, CW 
>7040 - 7045 Digimode except packet (*), SSTV, FAX, Phone, CW 
>7045 - 7100 Phone, CW 

Correct, but this is only VOLUNTARY, not mandatory.

>National Societies are requested to advise their members to follow this Band 
>Plan.

If it was mandatory, then National Societies would not have to advise
their members to follow this Band Plan.  Because it is VOLUNTARY, that
is why they are requested to give this advice.

>...and here from the rules of The 42nd Annual CQ World-Wide WPX Contest 1999:
>
>XIV. Log Instructions: ..... 
>(f) Each entry ...... Also submit a signed declaration that all contest rules 
>and regulations for amateur radio in the country of operation have been 
>observed.

Which they HAVE DONE...... LEGALLY.

>XV. Disqualification: .....
>Violation of amateur radio regulations in the country of the contestant, or the 
>rules of the contest, unsportsmanlike conduct, taking credit for excessive 
>duplicate contacts, unverifiable QSO’s or multipliers will be deemed sufficient 
>cause for disqualification.

No amateur radio regulations in the country of the contestant were
broken, and neither were any of the contest rules.  That is why people
DON'T get disqualified.

Andrew Williamson GI0NWG / AC6WI
Homepage = http://www.gi0nwg.freeserve.co.uk/

One of the ZL9CI gang
http://www.qsl.net/zl9ci/


--
CQ-Contest on WWW:        http://www.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
Administrative requests:  cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com