[NCC] My apologies

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

I believe the "window" existed long before the 160 meter contests. It also  
was invented at a time when there were much smaller allocations on 160. 
 
In ordinary non-contest times, it makes sense. No reason to be rag chewing  
with a guy 100 miles away in the window; save that for the DXers.
 
In a contest, it doesn't make sense. Imagine fifteen high power stations in 
 Europe CQing in the window, trying to work weak Americans. They're not 
going to  have an easy time hearing us.
 
Likewise, an American CQing in the window, working or trying to  work DX, 
is in compliance with the rules. The violator is the American guy  who 
answers him.
 
 
73  -  Jim   K8MR
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/9/2013 12:27:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
k8bl at ameritech.net writes:

Tom, et  al:

As an OOT'er, I remember when there was an actual DX Window  on 160 which 
was more like
a "Gentlemens Agreement" that only DX would call  CQ there and Stateside 
would only answer them
there. The "Window" generally  doesn't exist like that any more and the 
entire Band is open to  all.

Perhaps, that's what the folks at the ARRL had in mind when  crafting the 
160 Contest Rules since
the Band is generally wall-to-wall and  it would be a 5 KHz sanctuary to 
give everyone a chance
at DX, especially  the LP guys. They wrote it into their Rules, probably in 
the spirit of the way  things
used to be so that Big Guns wouldn't hog everything (i.e.  "fairness").

I mentioned the situation in my 3830 Score Submittal  because, as a LP guy, 
I was quite irritated that
the stations spent long  periods of time CQ'ing there in spite of the Rules 
and protests and they  cost
many stations some hard-to-come-by Mults. Also, those that know me are  
aware that I am quite
outspoken and often unable to avoid speaking my mind.  It comes from being 
Irish and German
which causes me to be opinionated,  stubborn and regimented.

Yes, the Rules say "should" so there  would be no actual violation for 
treating the "Window" no
differently than  the rest of the Band during the Contest. So be it. Life 
goes  on.

73 & Merry Christmas To All,     Bob  K8BL 

From: "n2cu at roadrunner.com"  <n2cu at roadrunner.com>
To: ncc at contesting.com; mrrc at contesting.com  
Sent: Monday, December 9, 2013 9:20 AM
Subject: [NCC] My  apologies


For being such an uber-lid and soliciting QSOs in the "DX  Window". I was 
trying to make intercontinental QSOs and was successful at it  except when I 
was called by stateside stations. Shame on them! :-)

In  any case, I interpreted the word "should" as meaning I could, but 
really  shouldn't (my bad). The ARRL should clarify the rule to say "must" or 
"shall"  if that's their intention. By the way, I heard and worked only 9 DX 
that were  calling CQ in the "window". On the flip side, my solicitations 
produced 23  QSOs with DX there. It seems most of the DX were not in the 
"window"  anyway.


73,
Tom N2CU <><
K3  #3582