[CQ-Contest] Prohibiting Interleaved CQs on Two or More Frequencies in the Same Band

[Dick Green WC1M]

I strongly support Frank's proposal, but the prohibition should apply to Single Ops, too, as it does in CQ WW. 

I realize that multi-op stations are more likely to be equipped to do alternating CQs on the same band (A and B radios with two ops on each band, multiple antennas per band with good isolation), but it certainly can be done in an SO2R station. If only one band is open enough to run, then the impact on the spectrum is the same. 

Is there a compelling reason to allow Single Ops to do alternating CQs on the same band?
 
Actually, I think a case could be made for banning alternating CQs altogether. I'd regret that because I've sometimes used it as a Single Op to boost rate or fight boredom, but it definitely does use up more spectrum. If only two bands are open in a big contest, that spectrum is likely to be very limited. What if a rare mult running low power can't find a place to CQ because the alternating CQers are taking up more than their share of space? What about the impact on non-contesters?

73. Dick WC1M

-----Original Message-----
From: donovanf at starpower.net [mailto:donovanf at starpower.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:01 PM
To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Prohibiting Interleaved CQs on Two or More Frequencies in the Same Band


I recommend that alternating CQs on two or more frequencies on the same band be prohibited immediately in all ARRL HF contests, exactly as it is now prohibited in all CQ WW DX Contests and for multi-operators in the IARU HF Championship. 

The reason for my recommendation is that the recent success of the PJ4G team in CQing on alternate frequencies on the same band (both on 20 and 15 meters) in the recent ARRL SSB DX Contest will inevitably be applied -- very soon -- by other multi-operator competitors in future ARRL contests. Unfortunately this will be to the very considerable detriment of other HF spectrum users
-- both contesters and non-contesters -- because of the very limited available spectrum on every HF band below 28 MHz. 

The obvious course of action is to simply apply existing IARU HF Championship rule 4.3.2.1 to all multi-operator categories in all ARRL HF contests. 

4.3.2.1. Alternating CQs on two or more frequencies on the same band is not permitted. 

http://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-championship 

A CAC sub-committee is currently engaged in a Rules Consolidation Project to consolidate “The General Rules of all ARRL Contests” 
“The General Rules for all ARRL contests Below 30 MHz” and individual contest rules into a single rule set for each of the ARRL HF Contests. 

In addition to the consolidation of the rules structure, the ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) asked the team to develop any accompanying commentary they choose as to areas where the perceive that the rules might benefit from revision and, where appropriate, to suggest revised language. 

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Committee%20Reports/2016/July/Doc_24_0716.pdf 

While the CAC's role is solely to respond to projects and issues assigned by the ARRL Programs and Services Committee; the CAC chairman can recommend future CAC projects and issues to the PSC. 

73
Frank
W3LPL