Topband: Am I the only one in step?

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi Roger,

I don't post here very much. I'm a casual op on 160 (no antenna at 
present). The problem I experience isn't a lack of "band plans" - aka 
gentlemen's agreements. The problem for me is there are too many of 
them. I can find several and they are in conflict each with every other. 
Since I do not care a whit about wallpaper or DXCC (sacrilege, I know) 
and only have a casual interest in *some* contests. My solution is to 
QSY when I encounter pileups on the band. That may mean QSY with the 
bandswitch. If the gentlemen can actually reach a uniform agreement I 
will be happy enough to observe it. Meanwhile I just stay out of the 
way. Whenever I have an antenna I do enjoy some casual operating and 
even some events like Stew Perry. Most of the time when I want to 
operate I can find a place to do so and still avoid frequencies in use. 
For me it's a hobby and I can use some other band or walk the dog or 
play my musical instruments or even visit with the XYL when there are 
rabid contests going on.

I may have a patch job on my 'big' antenna by this evening. Waiting for 
the frost to leave for new antenna work.

73,

Bill  KU8H



On 02/28/2016 10:22 AM, Roger Parsons via Topband wrote:
> I enjoy contests but...
>
>
> This weekend has seen the CQ 160m SSB Contest. It has also seen CW activity or attempted activity from a number of extremely rare DX entities.
>
> Why is it reasonable or even acceptable for the band to be full of SSB contesters from 1800kHz to about 1960kHz? The vast majority of contacts made in the contest are same continent, and in the case of NA could and should all comply with the band plan. Why is the CW part of the band full of SSB whereas the top (phone) end of the band is almost empty?
>
>
> I have previously suggested to the contest administrators at both CQ and ARRL that they set in the contest rules a lower operational limit of 1820kHz dial frequency. That would give contesters 23kHz of the 'prime' international frequencies between 1810kHz and 1840kHz, and a total 183kHz for many countries. The CW DX operators would have 7kHz internationally. Neither CQ nor ARRL have treated this suggestion seriously, nor come up with any alternative.
>
> Why not?
>
> 73 Roger
> VE3ZI
> _________________
>