[CQ-Contest] CQ WW 160 CW

[Lee Hiers]

On 22 Jan 00, at 11:57, Bruce Sawyer wrote:

> I submit that this notion of "DX Window" is a fundamentally flawed concept, and
> wish the idea would disappear, soon.  

Bruce...

One of the best anti-window arguments I've read...I agree 100%.

But, we've decided to just avoid the various "windows" for CQing on 160 just 
because of the wrath that descends upon us when we try to use it.  We have a 
fairly competitive 160 station (W4WA) and would love a QRM-free window into 
EU...but everytime in the past we tried using the window for inter-continental 
DX, the loud US guys call us, squishing the EUs.  And/or the kilocycle cops 
come on and tell us we're on an illegal frequency in the window and start 
QRMing.  If you're trying to win the contest, it just ain't worth it to fight 
over it...just QSY a little and let part of the band go to waste as far as 
CQing is concerned.

The argument in favor of the window as I understand it is to help the little 
pistol type stations work DX.  Well, I operated the ARRL 160 contest low power 
from W4WA this year and still had DX calling me when I was CQing outside the 
window.  When I called DX in the window, the big guns clobbered me.  It's no 
different than having a smaller signal on any other band, it's simply harder 
work and you get beaten up more when running less than a full-bore station.  

I've also operated from my station in the past using a Butternut HF-2V with 160 
kit and found no advantage to the window.  

Like you said, one guy's DX is another guy's QRM.  I really don't understand 
why the idea that we must have a separate range of frequencies for DX Qs 
persists, particularly on a band with such differing band plans from one 
country to the next.

73 de Lee


--
Lee Hiers
Cornelia, GA

aa4ga at contesting.com


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>From Leigh S. Jones" <kr6x at kr6x.com  Sat Jan 22 21:52:44 2000
From: Leigh S. Jones" <kr6x at kr6x.com (Leigh S. Jones)
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2000 13:52:44 -0800
Subject: [CQ-Contest] CQ WW 160 CW
References: <001901bf645b$c0233e80$012856d1 at default> <000b01bf6513$0cf79780$63351bd1 at pavilion>
Message-ID: <015c01bf6523$0456ee90$ede3c23f at kr6x.org>


Many areas have restricted frequency coverage on the 160/80/40 meter band
segments due to local regulations and local non-amateur use of the spectrum.
Some sensitivity to these problems is in order.

However, the "DX Window" has a different meaning in different contexts.
There is, however, an extremely local context in which the "DX Window"
suggestions for the CQ 160 tests have been framed.  This is a frequency
range that the Eastern Seaboard and New England amateur radio operators have
defined as off limits to any station who is not transmitting from Europe or
Africa.  At one time, this was 1825-1830.  I admit, however, that the modern
window boundaries are a mystery to me.

In theory, all contacts made with stations in the "window" should be cross
frequency contacts, with the European or African station transmitting in the
window, and all other areas transmitting outside the window.  If a station
signing, for example, 9Y4AA, appears in the window during a contest, then a
gang of stations in the Northeast appears to inform him that he is in
violation of the "DX Window".

This system makes sense and works very well from the perspective of a
European or New England contest operator.  However, they easily ignore the
fact that they are requesting that the rest of the world to forgo contacts
in order to give Europe and New England an opportunity to increase their
scores.  But, CQ magazine is published in the Northeast.



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