[CQ-Contest] Re: 40M Band Plans

[John Warren]

Rich K2WR wrote:

>As far as the band plan itself, I think it's a laudatory attempt to separate
>incompatible uses of shared spectrum.  However, the (40M) band plan is not
>necessary practical in every instance.  In my opinion, the ARRL Int'l DX
>Contest (both modes) represents two such instances.  There are a few others,
>although not very many.  Some people advocate inflexible application of the
>band plan at all times.  I do not.  That is one of the differences between a
>band plan and a rule.  As long as the radio regulations for a specific
>country, or the specific rules of a contest, do not absolutely require
>adherence to a band plan without deviation, then I think people are only
>limited by the specific written terms of their license.  Maybe I wouldn't
>personally announce a listening frequency of 7020 kHz on SSB, but I'm not
>going to castigate an operator at W3LPL or anywhere else for doing so as
>long as it's within license terms.

Exactly!

All bets are off in a big contest, with the limited spectrum 
7000-7100 filled with the mode in use that weekend. I think most 
people can live with that. As a 'phone DXer I know I can survive the 
3 big CW weekends, with signals up to 7080. Outside the contests 
people respect the informal 7040 boundary reasonably well, except of 
course for W1AW code practice on 7047.

John, NT5C.