[CQ-Contest] SSB in CW band

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

For once, I find myself in agreement with Mal.

There is absolutely no reason that there should be SSB operations below 7025
(I'd even say 7030).  We have contesters have a responsibility to leave
spectrum for those not operating in the contest, and the first 25 kHz of the
band should certainly be a reasonable space to keep phone out of.

While tuning around listening on 40 last night, frankly, I was appalled at
one US M/M contest station who was listening on 7008.  7008!  And there was
another station on 7010, and on 7012, both calling CQ.  There may have been
others, but these are the only ones I observed.

Yes, the band was crowded with SSB and broadcast signals, but there was
still elbow room above 7030 to squeeze into.  (Of course, I have to remind
myself that this is one of the stations notorious for trying to push aside
LP stations when they want to grab a run frequency, or setting up shop 2 kHz
above someone and then slowly sliding down on top of them, conveniently  not
hearing them 5 minutes after working them, so maybe I shouldn't be
surprised.)

Once upon a time, it was informally and generally accepted as good amateur
operating practice that there were portions of 40 that were to be left to
those choosing to operate CW and not participate in the contest; at least,
that's what I was taught, way back when.  Very sad to see that the "anything
goes that's not strictly forbidden" mentallity has taken over instead.

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:23:32 -0000
From: "N7MAL" <N7MAL at CITLINK.NET>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] SSB in CW band
To: <CQ-CONTEST at contesting.com>

I would like to suggest to the CQWWSSB guru's that a cut-off frequency be
set for 40 meters. I think 7025 and above is more than reasonable for SSB
operation during the contest. This year is worse than last and has been
getting progressively worse every year. There have been many pleas in past
years but they fall on deaf ears at the contest committee. There is plenty
of unused frequency spectrum above 7025. I checked several times and there
was no valid reason for any station to operate below 7025. It might be
different if every 2.5 khz there was someone operating in the contest but
there wasn't. In fact there were several 20-25 khz segments where no one was
operating, yet there were stations below 7025 operating in the contest.
Thank you


MAL
N7MAL
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
http://www.ctaz.com/~suzyq/N7mal.htm