[CQ-Contest] 160m band plan and CQWW SSB contest

[Bill Coleman]

On 10/16/01 12:32 PM, Michael Keane, K1MK at k1mk at arrl.net wrote:

>I will try the suggestion that has been put forward: to call CQ above
>1840 while listening split for DX callers below 1840. Although I still
>can't help but be somewhat perplexed by the apparent contradiction
>that it's somehow acceptable for me to solicit other station to
>violate an international band plan if it helps to preserve my national
>band plan. For instance each of the IARU regional band plans, like the
>ARRL band plan, suggest that SSB operations be kept above 1840;

The ARRL band plan starts at 1843 kHz, not 1840 kHz.

The simple, succinct and fundamental answer is -- because there isn't 
enough room!

Look at the bandplans for 40m. In Region II, there's no SSB recommended 
below 7.050. Yet carribean stations can be found there. And yes, we 
sometimes get complaints about US stations listening below 7.040, because 
in some countries SSB isn't allowed down that far.

As bad as 40m is, it is at least 50-60 kHz wide, according to the IARU 
bandplan.

On 160, are all SSB DX QSOS suppose to take place between 1840-1850 kHz? 
Remember many, many countries only allocate 1810-1850 kHz. 

Historically, most 160m SSB operations are found between 1810-1850 kHz in 
a contest. Because that's where the DX is. 

>listening for DX below 1840 appears to put any EU or Caribbean station
>responding to my CQ nominally in conflict with at least the IARU band
>plans.

The fundamental problem is the bandplans are not well conceived. They 
work OK for normal, day to day operations, when there is little crowding. 
They don't allow for the higher levels of use found in a contest 
situation.

>There is one scenario which I have not seen adequately addressed.
>This scenario is a variant of the classical "Prisoner's Dilemma" in 
>game theory: in the upcoming CQWW SSB, when presented with a DX station
>soliciting contacts below 1840 that doesn't "listen up" for the U.S.
>what do I do? What will others do?

Contact him simplex after you have determined there are no other stations 
that might suffer interference. Suggest that the DX station listen up 
above 1843 kHz.

To make the bandplan work, lots of people have to be educated. Most of 
these aren't US hams, but DX stations.

If the DX stations are listening above 1843 kHz, you can bet that's where 
US stations will be. Otherwise, the bandplan won't work.





Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901


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