[UK-CONTEST] RSGB 80M CC Data Contests

[Dave Sergeant]

On 28 Apr 2008 at 19:47, Ian G3WVG wrote:

> So, how about a change in the rules to allow operation below 3580?  It
> can't cause much of a problem. There may be a few whingers I suppose
> but the reality is that CW band is pretty sparsely populated during
> the week.

This issue really has far greater implications. I agree that the 
space allocated in the bandplans for RTTY is insufficient for 
contests and even normal day to day QSOs. But as Roger states as soon 
as people stray outside the 'allocated area' the complaints start 
coming through. The same sort of issues of SSB on 40m and 160m 
drifting right down the band during the CQ contests, or for that 
matter CW spreading up (admittedly still in bandplan) during CW 
events. So any changes need to take into account the needs and wishes 
of all users. It is no excuse saying it is only for 90 minutes in the 
club challenge events, this is during the evening when there are 
often many slow CW QSOs in progress above 3570.

What may be more meaningful is to look at those frequencies used for 
various specialist interests and I wonder whether they might be 
better lower down the band. For instance the QRP frequencies of 3560, 
7030, 14060. During RTTY contests 7030 in particular is pretty well 
clobbered, whereas below 7020 it is pretty deserted apart from when 
there are CW events as well. One of the biggest gripes of the 'anti-
contest' brigade is the clobbering of 7030, but assuming RTTY really 
does need more space might it not be more sensible if their meeting 
place was moved down to 7020 - and 3550 on 80m? 7032 is used as a 
SOTA calling frequency but there is little reason why this could not 
also move.

Hopefully a new bandplan for 40m will appear next year after the 
broadcasters move, so there really is a case of reshaping that to 
take into account more data space, while not reducing the CW 
exclusive part. But nothing similar will be expected on 80m, I would 
be happy to extend the RTTY allocation down to say 3575 but no lower, 
and maybe it should be pushed a bit higher above 3560. But it needs 
to be done officially, and that means via IARU.

I used to be fairly sympathetic to the opinions of non-contesters, 
and as a QRPer I have some sympathy for keeping their slots free (but 
rarely use them myself...). After the continuing vandalism of the 
Wikipedia contesting page by a couple of vociferous individuals 
however I have lost any sympathy in that direction. But that does not 
mean I approve of breaking bandplans, inevitable as it seems to be in 
this day and age.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com