[CQ-Contest] Contesting and Emergencies

[Chip at Heil]

Some years back, I wrote an essay on the above subject that was published  in QST. And here we have the same issue arising again.

I think this petition by the MMSN is a hopeless and misguided idea. Instead of doing a "land grab" on their favorite frequency, the MMSN ought to petition the FCC to set aside a small segment, say 14.125-14.135 MHz for emergency use and emergency use only (i.e. when life and property are in the process of being in danger, or if that danger is imminent). We already have the 5 MHz band for low-frequency emergency use, and it's not available for contest operation.

For everyday operation, drills, exchanging routine weather information, etc., the "normal" frequencies should be used. If they're crowded, try 10 MHz and 18 MHz.

This problem has such a simple solution that the MMSN petition ought never to have seen the light of day.

73,

Chip Margelli, K7JA