[FRC] 160 bandplan

[Robert Shohet]

Hi Guys,

I am forwarding this to the FRC reflector from W8JI.  I am not familiar with
the details of the "bandplan" but I thought that the discussion and concern
is a topic of interest for the club.

73

Bob KQ2M

> Hi,
>
> I'm sending you this about the 160m bandplan. Please pass this
> along. I think the committee is making a serious mistake. We need
> to write them now before they ruin things.
>
> Hi Rick,
>
> I was speaking to K1ZM, and he said the bandplan committee was
> going to suggest "suspending" the bandplan so contest rules
> "allow" SSB operation down to 1810. Sorta like raising the
> suggested speed limit when the bars let out, isn't it?
>
> I hope Jeff misunderstood this. This would be a slap in the face for
> anyone who follows the bandplan throughout the year. It makes the
> ARRL committee look biased towards contests, and one of the
> major gripes among people about the bandplan is it is shows
> favoritism for special interests.
>
> There are dozens of contests a year that affect the "CW" area,
> ruining the band for anyone who wants to have a normal CW
> contact. State QSO parties (dozens of them), special events for
> clubs or groups, DX or Zone SSB contests, field day, as well as
> the specific 160 SSB contests.
>
> All in all, there are over a dozen contests a year. In those contests,
> contest operators feel the bandplan just doesn't apply to them.
>
> We work hard all year to get people to follow the "suggestion" of a
> CW area that really should have been a rule....and then the most
> reluctant to follow the plan get to see the same people claim the
> bandplan THEY are expected to follow doesn't apply to contestors.
>
> I hope you and the committee really look hard at this issue again.
> While we all know contestors are a poorly behaved lot when good
> manners crosses paths with an extra point, the message that
> "suspending" the plan for the people who operate SSB contests
> sends a message that will make compliance more difficult
> throughout the other 40 weekends a year when there are no
> contests.
>
> We both know there will be people who simply won't follow the
> bandplan, but the message suspending the bandplan during
> contests sends is clearly the wrong message.
>
>
>
> 73, Tom W8JI
> W8JI@contesting.com
>
>


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