[RTTY] 160 METER RTTY CONTESTING

[W1BYH at aol.com]

It has been interesting to read the postings re: 160 meter RTTY contesting. 
 Thought I would add my 2-cents worth of  observations:    
 
First, I would be entirely in favor of running a separate contest for 160M  
RTTY, and not adding it to any of the existing contests, as it would add a  
specific disadvantage to those contesters who are really 
antenna-challenged,  site wise.
 
Those of us who are able to have anything reasonable up for a 160 antenna  
would be on a somewhat level playing field if only on 160. I am fortunate to 
be  able to run a dipole (just barely) on my city lot, but have no 
possibility of a  beverage or two !  I have, however, been able to work the west 
coast and  Europe on RTTY with no problems from my small station.  Copying 
stations on  160 or 80 meters RTTY here have not been a problem.
 
For those that feel there is too much of an infringement by adding some  
RTTY operation on 160, I have not seen that to be any problem sharing with CW  
and SSB operations. Although I don't spend much time on 160, I have 
contested on  both modes with reasonable success.
 
Anyone who feels there are no bands that are contest-free need to look at  
12, 17, 30 and 60, where there are no contests !  I don't see anything  
sacred about preserving 160 for CW and SSB solely.All three modes are authorized 
 for the entire band in the U.S.
 
A short contest, i.e. 6-8 hours using a grid locator format, such as Stew  
Perry or Makrothen would provide a nice level playing field and prevent some 
of  us old-timers from falling asleep at the keys!
 
Maybe we can get a sample test going,  informally, sometime this  season.
 
See you on 160 RTTY !!
 
73 Norm  W1BYH