[UK-CONTEST] 5NN

[Ken]

Bob,

As a G3... (& not one whose found the need to assume a 'vanity' 
callsign) I don't need a tin hat!

I agree that there's plenty of space on the VHF bands & there's no need 
for everyone to sit on the same frequency.
This is a problem particularly on 4m during E openings when almost all 
of the DX stations sit on
70.2  QRM'ing each other not realizing how difficult it is at this end 
to sort them out.
Whilst there are problems with the differing & in some cases limited 
allocations there's no need for everyone to sit exactly on the
CALLING frequency! Hopefully if there are any openings during VHF NFD 
this w/end common sense will prevail.

Whilst I won't be taking part in VHF NFD (fixed stations entering a 
portable contest?) as there's no local interest  (we only just managed 
to find enough people to enter HF NFD) and looking at the number of 
major events taking place this weekend the WX is shaping up to do its worst.
I will however be giving a few points away and submitting a check log so 
woe betide anyone who gives me a fictional 5N (N) report, I hope that 
everyone knows what QSA? means!

73...

Ken

G3LVP



Hi Ken, Hope you've got a tin hat handy. 59 or 599 is the accepted norm 
on HF certainly in contests.

I wouldn't presume to try and change it. However VHF including 6M is a 
different area. Where we've always given a report dependent on what we 
see on the meter or hear.

I think the erosion of that on 6M at least is due to the many HF rigs 
that now have 6M as standard and HF op's are trying out 6M for the 1st 
time, and bring the practices to the band, as they know no different. 
It's a half way house between HF & VHF and has characteristics of both. 
So I suppose both practices will be apparent.

What wouldn't like is that to continue upward through the bands, 
although in major pan-European contests it's starting to get more 
prevalent. As an aside, if op's new to 6M are considering coming on the 
band, please have a look at the band plan before operating. Especially 
the bit between 50.100 and 50.130, there's plenty of space on the band, 
thanks, 73 Bob G8HGN