[RTTY] 160

[David Levine]

I'm neither a CW op (yet) nor do I have 160 capabilities at my station. So
I'm replying just as a licensed operator following the discussion without
any direct impact on what happens. I'm emotionally removed from being
impacted in this situation.

I'm going to relate how this conversation sounds to what happened to me over
this past weekend. There was a DX station calling in the middle of the 20m
phone band. He was coming in loud and clear and had a nice pileup going. I
was just listening and not even throwing out my call sign. Things were going
well for the DX op and those making a contact with him. In comes a bunch of
other ops that just start talking over the local and DX station. They were
there for a net that has been operating since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
When they came on, they weren't polite by even asking if the frequency was
in use (obviously it was) or even contacting the DX op to explain what was
going on. They just started talking and ripping into all the local ops for
being on "their frequency". A few operators responded back to them that the
station was in use and it wasn't "their frequency" quoting the relevant Part
97 section. Here is the relevant portion:

Parts 97.101(b) and (d) specifically say:

    (b) 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.

    (d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or
cause interference to any radio communication or signal.

The DX op was much more professional and when the discussion escalated, he
said he will move. From his interaction with the net ops, if they just asked
in the first place I'm sure he would have QSYed without question. I stayed
around to listen to what was so important about this net. I guess discussing
your own ailments, those ailments of your spouse, and the weather was worth
breaking the Part 97 rules by knowingly interfering another operator and the
pileup he was working through. 

Now separate yourself from the emotions of your particular case. The above
Part 97 rules still apply. First one in wins. No operator or contest owns a
specific frequency. It's as clear as that to me.

Now that I just passed my Extra exam, it's time to start learning CW so I
can participate in those contests as well!

David - K2DSL

-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:43 AM
To: rtty at contesting.com
Cc: 'Top Band List List'
Subject: Re: [RTTY] 160


NP3D writes: 

> There is plenty of space, we (RTTYers) just need 20 KHz or so
> around 1808. I am sure that here is a high time to include 
> 160 meters RTTY into NAQP RTTY, to start with and see how it 
> goes... I do not think that organizers of NAQP are willing to 
> add 160 meters though.

This is exactly the problem ... ARRL 160 has been there for 30+ 
years and generally fills the band from 1800 to 1875 +/- from 
before sunset on the US east coast until nearly sunrise on the 
west coast.  Now RTTY wants the bottom 20 KHz of the band from 
0000Z for some "new" contest that expands t0 160 meters. 

This is complete nonsense ... if RTTY wants to expand to 160, 
expand the existing RTTY contests that don't conflict with one 
of only two major 160 meter CW only events.  Don't get on 160 
with RTTY in the middle of a major CW contest - that is the very 
essence of intentional interference.  

Of course this just shows how badly the FCC screwed up when they 
opened 160 to RTTY. 

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