[UK-CONTEST] 160m Contest Activity

[G3SJJ]

I would like to develop the discussion on 160m bandplans and activity. 
My good friend Ian G4IIY says he wouldn't want to see the sub-band for 
this contest changed. I would submit that it has changed and that our 
rules are out-dated.

Whilst operating out of the sub-band, I made 47 QSOs, 17 of which were 
with UK stations, nearly 40% of last years submitted entries and that 
was only in the first 50 minutes when many UK stations were CQing. Two 
were former members of the HF Contests Committee and long term entrants, 
several others were also long term entrants, and some were members of 
FOC. (First Class CW Operators Club.) I also made 11 QSOs with PA 
stations, who I am informed are not permited to use 1810 to 1815. The 
rest were UA, DL, HB9, OK, F, LA and YL all most definitely in contest 
mode. I therefore conclude that other than violating the RSGB 1.8MHz 
Contest rules, for which I have imposed my own penalty, I was not doing 
anything different to something which was already happening.

A big chunk of what used to be the CW portion of the band is now taken 
up with SSB QSOs, (some even inter-G which ought to be held elsewhere in 
the band!) Antenna-challenged entrants have enough difficulty finding a 
Run frequency so why impose even more barriers on them. I feel a 
sensible conclusion for the two events, ie 8 hours per year, would be to 
delete the lower sub-band edge in order to encourage more participation.

Chris G3SJJ