[RTTY] Band Plan and RTTY contesting

[Glenn VA3DX]

Yes , I had a station signing KT5X on cw and continuously
calling CQ , etc etc on 7040.0

I WAS there FIRST , however I got the impression he wanted
the frequency. I persevered and he evenrually left....

Glenn VA3DX

Subject: [RTTY] Band Plan and RTTY contesting


> On Saturday I had to deal with an interfering station on 14.090.7 telling 
> me
> over and over that I was using a frequency reserved for beacons. While he
> may be technically correct he was wrong in causing excessive interference
> and also in his interpretation of the band plan rules. When I finally 
> asked
> him to identify his station he refused and then left the frequency.
>
> Just to set things straight the ARRL band plan rules state:
>
> "Nothing in the rules recognizes a net's, group's or any individual's
> special privilege to any specific frequency. Section 97.101(b) of the 
> Rules
> states that "Each station licensee and each control operator must 
> cooperate
> in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most effective use of
> the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the
> exclusive use of any station." No one "owns" a frequency."
>
> And since I'm Canadian and operate under Canadian regulations here is what
> the RAC band plan states:
>
> "GENERAL NOTES:
> . Where Notes are shown, these activities have priority over other
> activities.
> . During major weekend Contest activities, activity in certain modes can
> spill over into other
> segments."
>
> There are some additional notes but they are not relevant to this 
> situation.
>
> So it appears that I was fully within my rights to be operating where I 
> was.
> You have to wonder why someone would need to find a beacon during a 
> contest
> anyway as there are more than enough signals on the bands to establish 
> where
> openings are. We all know that this person was just being a jerk but I 
> think
> it helps us all to know that there are exceptions to the rules.
>
> 73, Don VE3XD