[UK-CONTEST] CQWW & the Hurricane net!

[Phil Cooper]

Hi all,

I was slightly amused when I read the email from Stewart about the
interference to the hurricane net during CQWW SSB.
A similar thing happened during CQWW RTTY when several W's (working EU as
well as W/VE) were asked to QSY from 7036 as this frequency was being used
for a RTTY - yes! RTTY - net for the hurricane watch/disaster relief guys!
After the contest, there were some heated emails flying about from one
particular co-ordinator of the watch.
In one email they quoted frequencies to be used during a hurricane, or other
disaster, and apart from 7035, they did have access to a 30m frequency for
RTTY traffic! Did they use it? No!

Surely, oh surely they must have been able to work out that there was a
contest on, and thus made a reasoned decision to QSY to an alternative
frequency? But no, they stuck at it, complained, and actually caused QRM
themselves by asking folk to QSY away from "their" frequency.
On top of this, one organisation they quoted as belonging to has no real
standing, either by the US Government, or by the FCC.

Stewart hit the nail on the head when he suggested "................. that
in the 21st century we rely on amateurs to run our disaster relief, on
frequencies that are set aside for recreational hobbies."

I guess it will be up to the US amateurs to make such representations to the
FCC!

73 de Phil GU0SUP



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