[RTTY] RTTY Interference to Hurricane Rita Ops

[David O Hachadorian]

On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 20:54:18 -0500 "Don Hill AA5AU" <aa5au at bellsouth.net>
writes:
> Yes, I run RTTY and I am in the contest on 40 meters.
>  
> Jim, what the heck mode are you trying to run a net on between 7047 
> and 7053 Khz
> during the largest RTTY contest of the year?  I might suggest that 
> you run the
> net on phone. 



>From the NREN Web Site:
------------------------------------

NREN Watch Frequencies:
The primary NREN Watch Frequencies are:

20 Meters:       14050 kHz
40 Meters:       7050 kHz
If propagation conditions warrant, a 30 Meter frequency may also be
utilized:
30 Meters:       10120 kHz

In the event that a QSO is active on frequency, stations holding traffic
should minimize interference to existing communications by quickly
establishing contact and moving off frequency.  In order to facilitate
interoperability between multiple stations, adjacent channels should be
selected based on the “rule of 3.”  That is, move up or down 3, 6, 9, or
12 kHz from the primary channel.  This same rule applies to traffic
exchange off frequency.

As NREN (and all nets) does not “own” a particular frequency, it may be
necessary to shift your watch frequency somewhat should the primary
frequency be occupied for an extended period.  If this is the case,
select the nearest suitable frequency above or below the primary watch
frequency and transmit your QSX broadcast.  Attempt to return to the
primary frequency at the next half-hour interval.

NREN members are reminded to avoid utilizing extremely narrow CW filters.
 These filters may result in missed calls from stations that are slightly
off frequency.
------------------------------------

NREN might do a little better on 7062, or much better on 10120 or the 5
MHz band, where no contesting is allowed. 

RTTY people all across the world are using extremely narrow filters, high
power, and big antennas on the low end of 40 this weekend. The RTTY
people have been preparing for this contest for months, and are not aware
of NREN operations, since they can't hear them with the typical RTTY
narrow mark/space filtering. They are also not listening to the internet
this weekend.

I think the best hope at this time is for NREN to demonstrate their
flexibility and QSY, preferably to 10120 or the 5 Mhz band. At daylight,
most of the RTTY ops will qsy to 20 meters. NREN may find 17M ideal at
that time.

I can't think of any other solutions that would work right now.


David Hachadorian, K6LL
Big Bear Lake, CA


> 
> From: James Wades [mailto:wb8siw at charter.net] 
> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 8:21 PM
> To: aa5au at bellsouth.net
> Cc: k9sz at wittmer.us; rtty at cqww.com; Riley.Hollingsworth at fcc.gov; 
> w1aw at arrl.org
> Subject: RTTY Interference to Hurricane Rita Ops

> Hi Don:
>  
> I am writing this letter to you because I understand your are active 
> in the RTTY
> community.  If I am mistaken, please disregard.  Otherwise, I 
> earnestly solicit
> your help with the following problem:
>  
> It is 900 PM EDT on the evening of Friday, September 24.  The 
> National Radio
> Emergency Network, in cooperation with the Salvation Army Team 
> Emergency Radio
> Network is in the process of gearing up our response to Hurricane 
> Rita.  Our net
> on 7050 khz was operating normally until the start of the CQ WW RTTY 
> contest.
> This contest has now "consumed" and disrupted our primary nighttime 
> frequency
> th high power RTTY signals.  These stations fail to recognize the 
> standard
> "QRL" signal or other requests to move.  They have interfered with 
> official
> communications related to the Hurricane Rita response.  
>  
> It is furthermore important that our operations were in progress 
> before the
> start of the RTTY contest.  We had control of the frequency and it 
> was taken
> away from us improperly.  The General class portion of this sub-band 
> is now
> packed with RTTY signals leaving no room for our operations.
>  
> Could you please, please, please get the word out on the RTTY 
> reflectors and
> similar lists respectfully requesting that they avoid the segment 
> between 7047
> and 7053 KHz due to interference with SATERN and NREN operations in 
> response to
> Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  PLEASE.
>  
> Unfortunately, I am also forwarding a copy of this message to Riley
> Hollingsworth asking for official FCC protection on the above 
> stated
> frequencies.
>  
> Thank you!
>  
> James Wades, PEM
> General Manager, Michigan Net, QMN
> National Radio Emergency Net
> P.O. Box 457
> Allegan,  MI.  49010
>  
> Office Numbers:
>      Kalamazoo, MI:  269-978-2787  (FAX: 269-978-1906)
>      Franklin, TN:  615-261-8242
>  
>  
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>