[RTTY] NAQP RTTY Frequencies & the DX beacons

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

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

Sure, and the IARU bandplan has a lot of other stupid stuff 
that is only honored in its ignorance.   1KHz guard bands 
for a signal 50 Hz wide are absurd. 

As far as I'm concerned any contest manager that threatens to 
unilaterally disqualify stations who are operating in accordance 
with the terms of their license should be preemptively removed 
by the sponsoring organization. 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Punderson, IV, James
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 PM
> To: 'rtty at contesting.com'
> Subject: Re: [RTTY] NAQP RTTY Frequencies & the DX beacons
> 
> 
> 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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