[CQ-Contest] Something we need to remember

[Paul Jones]

I may have been one of the culprits that generated a complaint, but I 
hope not. I managed to find a clear frequency for me on 7.175, I asked 
if it was in use and got no reply, I started calling CQ at 21:28Z, I 
have to admit, I forgot about the SSTV frequency on 7.173,

I was running approx 95 watts to a 3el pointing at EU after making a few 
contacts a station came on and gave me a 59+40 report, then he informed 
me that I was splattering all over 7.173 and he was in NC and wanted to 
operate on 7.173 and could I move and that us contesters just didn't 
care...someone moved in just above me at 7.170.5 which I had to move 
anyway because I couldn't hear a thing, I know the other station that 
moved in was high power and I could hear them down to 7172...so at 21:36 
I moved....after making at total of 10 contacts from 21:28 - 21:36

I wasn't getting any interference from existing stations on 7173, 
because I checked after his comments...is it our fault that the other 
stations filtering might not be as good as ours?

I'm listening to SSTV ops on 7173 right now, and up at 7175 I can't hear 
a beep...

Paul - NN4F
Ridgeville, SC


On 3/28/2010 8:34 PM, Randy Thompson K5ZD wrote:
> During and after the WPX SSB Contest, I received a number of emails
> complaining about the behavior of various contesters on the bands.  We do
> all need to remember that we are sharing the road with others and must do
> our part to help get along.
>
> I have copied one such message below that should remind us of this.
>
> Randy, K5ZD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 2:30 PM
> Subject:
>
> I have been an amateur for over 40 years. I am interested in many facets of
> Ham Radio, contesting is not one of them. That said, I am also aware that
> contesting is a very popular activity. Looking over the information
> available to current and prospective contesters I find nothing printed that
> suggests proper protocol.
>
> Contesters have an extremely bad name with the balance of the Ham community.
> When a contest is on it seems to bring out the "to heck with you, I am going
> to do what I want." attitude. As long as I can be heard I care not for what
> you are doing.
> Sadly most of the complaining is done amongst the Hams that are on the air
> most every day and not contesting.
>
> This letter to you is to lodge a complaint. If the rest of us behaved during
> a contest with the utter disregard for the Gentleman aspect of our hobby
> that used to be known as "The Gentleman's hobby" I am sure that the contest
> community would also be complaining.
>
> There is Ham Radio outside of contesting and those of us that enjoy this
> would really appreciate consideration by the weekend contesters. Do not
> blindly call "CQ contest" without listening to see if the frequency is in
> use, and if it is respect the stations using it.
>
> Thank you for listening.
>
>
>
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>
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-- 
Paul Jones
Amateur Radio Station - NN4F
Ridgeville, SC - EM93tb