[CQ-Contest] ARRL DX SSB: 40m operation

[LA5HE Ragnar Otterstad]

Fellow contesters

during the ARRL DX SSB Contest this weekend I turned across the 40m band
several times in S&P and couldn't but notice that many north american
stations (I'd guess about 80%) were listening below 7040 and I can only
wonder how succesfull they were generating pileups: that's definitely in
the CW-part of the band !
While it is very common to expand the phone part of the band slightly
below 7040 and into the part assigned to digital modes in the large
contest in my opinion listening as low as 7019 is definitely overdoing
it. Basically these operators ask us to violate the rules :-(

vy 73, Stephan "Steve" HB9DDO / WS9O
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It is an unfortunate fact that we have some rotten apples who does not care
if they create a nuisance
for others in the CW band.
The most common excuse is "  we cannot find any clear sports in the phone
band " !
So what ?  We dont start driving in the opposit lane on a congested road
either.
Even some people who should know better  ( good CW operators ) were
listening as low as 7013 !!!!

Why that does not disqualify these participant is beyond me !
It certainly does a lot to make people hate phone contesters over here.


I dont work phone contests any more but call the odd station, people I know
etc -
 if they listen on a bona fide phone frequency, in case they need a LA-
multiplier.
73

" RAG "  Ragnar Otterstad   LA5HE JW5HE OZ8RO

Located in Telemark - Home of skiing.
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