[RTTY] NAQP RTTY Frequencies & the DX beacons

Thu Mar 5 16:33:33 PST 2009

While there may be "recommended" band plans from the ARRL and others concerning areas of operating for PSK, it is my understanding that the IARU/NCDXF International Beacon Project DX beacon system is a special case.

The US beacons have a specific waiver from the FCC rule banning automatically operating beacons below 10M and they have specifically assigned frequencies from the FCC. On 20M, 14100 is the only frequency they are allowed to operate on so in that sense it is "their" frequency (unlike the various nets (or W1AW for that matter) which are free to QSY if someone is on their preferred and customary frequency).

The FCC did that to implement the international agreement by which the 14100 frequency (and the ones on other bands) are sequentially and continually in use 24/7 by one or another of the automatically operated (unattended) beacons around the world.

Additionally the IARU band plan calls for a 1khz guard band on either side of the HF beacons.

It would make perfect sense (at least to me) for there to be a contest rule in every contest banning operation on the beacon frequencies (and the guard band to prevent accidents) as the FCC has assigned that specific frequency to the US beacons in California and Hawaii (and I believe other countries have matching provisions for the beacons in their countries).

And beyond that, that frequency is continually in use around the clock by the network of world-wide beacons on a sequential basis so any operation on the beacon frequencies would seem to be knowingly QRMing an authorized and non-movable transmission known to be in progress somewhere around the world at any given instant.

Whether or not there should be a rule banning contest operation on the customary PSK frequencies is more a matter for the contest sponsors/organizers to decide and involves other issues.

Jamie Punderson, W2QO

-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of W0MU Mike Fatchett
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:22 AM
To: 'Shelby Summerville'; 'RTTY Reflector'
Cc: 'K0AD'; 'WA7BNM'
Subject: Re: [RTTY] NAQP RTTY Frequencies

Sorry to disagree but we SHARE our frequencies.  None of our frequencies are
exclusive use and I hope we never get to the point that we have exclusive
frequencies as it will be the beginning of the end of our bands as the FCC
will sell off frequencies to the highest bidder.  Rich hams will be lining
up to buy 14.001 14.151 etc.

While the beacon network is a cool system it is not used by the entire
amateur community.  It is not a system for emergency communications etc.  It
is a simply a beacon network to give people an idea if a band is open.  Why
is their use any more or less important than anyone else using the
frequency?

At what point does this stop?  Do we then disallow any contest activity
between 14.250 and 14.350 because of long running nets?  CW frequencies used
by county hunters and FIST?  How about the SSTV frequencies?  We should
probably include all the ARRL bulletin and practice frequencies too.  People
will be lining up at our doors to have their precious net frequency and a
10kc buffers listed in the rules.  The DX window on 160 is pretty much
abandoned during contests now.

Just because a group has staked a claim to an area does not give them
exclusive right to the frequency. These instances of interference were not
intentional.  I agree that all amateurs need to be more prudent about not
interfering with ongoing communications regardless of mode.

The WARC bands have been contest free for just this reason.  The NAQP is
such a short contest the impact to 20m has to be quite low compared to any
of the major contests.

Rules are great for those that read them.  Many don't and just get on to
make contacts and give out points.  I really don't want to have to remember
which areas may or may not be off limits.

This sets a very dangerous precedent for all contests and contesters.  We
have as much right to use the frequencies in accordance with FCC rules (USA
operators) as the next guy.  We are not guaranteed clear channel operations.
Qrm is pat of what we signed up for.

Maybe it is time that many upgrade their stations with better filtering etc.
We don't use spark gap transmitters anymore for a reason.  If I can nestle
in to a small hole and work people and you can't who has the problem?

Mike W0MU

"A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may
never get over." Ben Franklin
-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Shelby Summerville
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:04 AM
To: RTTY Reflector
Cc: K0AD; WA7BNM
Subject: [RTTY] NAQP RTTY Frequencies

This has been posted, before, and after February NAQP RTTY, it needs posting
again. I'm a strong proponent of "not preaching to the choir", but, short of
a rules change, I feel this is the best way to "get the word out"! Before
y'all inundate me with "technical" examples: "I use a KAMPlus for my RTTY
operation, and if I can copy your signal, in any of the below mentioned
frequencies, you're too close"!

Although I have absolutely no control over unmanned Packet stations, that
cause interference, in the RTTY portion of the bands, I do have some over
the alleged interference caused by participants, in NAQP RTTY! Most, and all
should, know that 14.100 is the frequency of the NCDXF beacon. During NAQP
RTTY, transmitting between 14.099-14.101 is not allowed! Also, in the spirit
of cooperation, during NAQP RTTY, transmitting between 14.069-14.073, is
also not allowed! These "off limits" frequencies are not a part of the
rules, yet. I prefer to allow the participants in NAQP RTTY to "self police"
and follow these guidelines. Several stations were monitored, by me, calling
CQ, between 14.099-14.101, and I have a complaint of interference, with
ongoing PSK QSO's, between 14.069-14.073. Please don't force a change in the
rules, and refrain from transmitting in the aforementioned frequencies.

Shelby Summerville, K4WW
Contest Manager
NAQP RTTY

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