Fw: Re: Topband: 160 meter DX window question

[Jon Zaimes AA1K]

The old DX Window started by W1BB (which was 1825-1830 kHz) made sense in a
time when receivers were much broader and when 160 meter frequency
allocations around the world were inconsistent -- different countries had
different parts of the band and transceive operation was legally impossible.

Times have changed, and equipment has improved. Now countries have more
frequencies in common. Even the JA's now have a part of the band that
overlaps with allocations in much of the rest of the world. And the band is
much more crowded, especially in contests. I don't think we can afford two
frequencies for a QSO -- with the exception of the truly rare expedition or
DX station that needs to work split frequency.

While the 160m contests have a "voluntary" DX Window of 1830-35 kHz,
there's no such animal in non-contest periods. The ARRL 160m band plan
calls for DX QSOs between 1830-1850 kHz (with SSB above 1840). Doesn't say
anything about not calling CQ there -- which is a valid way of getting DX
contacts (probably about a third to half of my 273 countries were in
response to CQs). CQs often wake up a "dead" band. Good listening, of
course, is a necessity. But if everyone just listened we wouldn't work anyone.

73/Jon AA1K
Felton, Delaware

At 07:17 PM 10/4/00 -0700, you wrote:
>
>Paul, N0AH, wrote:
>
>"1.830-1.835MHz is suppose to be a DX window, right?"
>==========
>That's right, but unfortunately the use of a DX window is subject to
>different interpretations by some.
>
>I think the problem stems from some 160-meter contest rules which state
>that "1.830 to 1.835 MHz is reserved for intercontinental QSOs only". 
>This is a bad way to phrase it because it gives some the impression that
>anyone (including a USA station) may call "CQ DX" in that segment to
>initiate an intercontinental QSO.
>
>Stew Perry, W1BB started the "DX window" idea many years ago.  He meant
>it to be a window that USA hams would keep clear for non-USA DX stations
>to call "CQ" in order to initiate a DX QSO with a USA station.  The DX
>window provided the USA station with a frequency segment in which to
>listen that would be free of "local" QRM.
>
>I abide by the "rule" as Stew intended it to be, and I wish everyone else
>would, too, especially with the present huge population of USA
>Topbanders.
>
>I feel (as I believe most others do) the "rule" means "DX QSOs" rather
>than "Intercontinental QSOs".  Certainly a KL7/W1 QSO is DX on Topband,
>and I'm sure that noone would object to the KL7 if he called "CQ DX" in
>that segment, even though he is a North American USA station.  I also
>wouldn't object if 4U1UN in New York City called CQ in the window.
>
>73, de Earl, K6SE
>
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