[SECC] Notes on 40 and SAC

[AE4Y]

I've been reading this discussion chain with every intention not to get 
pulled in, but ignoring my better judgment, I have to comment on two 
points made in the last two contributions.

First, it's a gross generalization to say that "new RTTY operators just 
don't give a rip about CW" and one which can not be supported with 
objective evidence.   I've been operating CW for 38 years and RTTY for 
about 5 years.  I still enjoy and respect CW as my preferred mode of 
operation.  Based on the growing number of familiar call signs that I 
routinely work during RTTY contests, it's apparent that large numbers of 
other old time CW contesters/operators are also enjoying the mode.

Secondly, are we to accept that once a gentleman's agreement is 
established, there will never come a time when it may need to be revised 
or at least revisited?  Gentleman's agreements are established to 
address issues related to a particular set of circumstances.  If those 
circumstances change, it serves no useful purpose to continue to require 
adherence to an otherwise obsolete agreement.

There was a time when I could tune from 7.000 to 7.150 on any evening 
and have a very difficult time finding a clear spot to initiate a QSO. 
Keeping operating modes separated with a gentleman's agreement when this 
level of activity was the norm, obviously makes a lot of sense.

Regrettably, it's not uncommon now to tune across that same segment in 
the evening and hear only one or two QSOs; sometimes none.  Given the 
current levels of activity on our bands, perhaps it's time to re-examine 
some of our long-held operating habits.

Kent, AE4Y



Dan/W4NTI wrote:
> Dead center hit.
> 
> The "new RTTY operators"  just don't give a rip about CW. 
> 
> Dan/W4NTI
> 
> 
> 
> ku8e at bellsouth.net wrote:
>> Bill...
>>
>> You don't get the point and are side stepping the issue. Sure, It is true that legally you can
>> operate RTTY where the FCC rules say you can , which includes the whole bottom
>> end of 40 meters.
>>
>>  The point is there have been bandplans, gentleman's agreements (both formal and informal)
>> or whatever you want to call them in place for longer than you and I have been hams. You know as well as I do that there is a DX window of 160 meters - 1825-1830.  These agreements are meant to
>> be a gentlemanly way to "keep the peace" and allow everyone to enjoy whatever activity they like to do
>> be it DXing , ragchewing, CW, RTTY or whatever...
>>
>>  Many of the new RTTY operators out there are just ignore these agreements and operate where they want and use the same arguments you do that it's their "right" because the FCC says they can operate on a certain frequency. I have had a RTTY operator start up on a frequency I have been
>> on many times. At least on CW you can do a QRL? to ask if the frequency is is use. I doubt that RTTY
>> operators do this... they just start up where they want too. I'm not saying there are not bad apples on CW.. there probably are and maybe they are handling things the wrong way by jamming a RTTY station who might of interupted their QSO.
>>
>> The bottom line is this RTTY/CW issue didn't exist before a few years ago until programs like MMTTY
>> became available to make it easy to get on this mode without much investment of $$$...
>>
>> Jeff KU8E