[VHFcontesting] Banning The Use Of 144.200 MHz During Contests

[Ron Klimas WZ1V]

Jim and others, my thoughts about this:
I don't hear any widespread "abuse" of 144.200 per se during contests here 
in New England. A couple questions to ponder:

1. Who's complaining about this (what geographic area(s) and what's the 
population density of those area(s)?
note: I've heard contesters in low population areas say if you don't call 
CQ on 144.2 you don't work anyone!
I've also heard the other 3 hams living within 100 miles of that steadfast 
144.2 contester say they feel shut out.
When someone in the Northeast tries this, they have 100 other hams living 
within 100 miles applying peer-pressure to discourage it. Well sort of, 
which brings the next question to mind.

2. Define 144.200. We're using non-channelized modes here, SSB and CW. Does 
it matter if someone tries to monopolize 144.198? How about 142.202? I can 
tell you there are several high power stations near me doing this every 
contest! It makes 144.200 as unusable as if they were right on it.

3. Define abuse. Is it abuse if someone stays on 144.200 for more than 10 
minutes? How about for more than an hour? More than a day?  I find it 
productive to spend some time calling on 144.200, especially on Sunday 
night to grab the ones who never turn their dials! I find several others 
doing this. If everyone gets their 10 minutes to an hour to play, is it a 
problem or is it actually beneficial?

4. If the committee thinks it's a problem, what would you do about it? Is 
this something that's even enforceable?  Even if you decide to outlaw 
144.2, would it do any good? Would it do more harm than good? Would it stop 
the folks on 144.198 or .202? How about the people who are convinced rules 
are meant to broken? If you can't enforce it what's the point?

Personally, if I were tasked to do something about this:
I'd lean towards adding language like "the exclusive use of 144.200 and 
it's guard bands should be discouraged".
And what about 432.100? 222.100? 50.125?
-73, Ron WZ1V, FN31

At 01:07 AM 6/21/2006, Jim Worsham wrote:
>Hello everyone.  I am the Southeastern Division representative to the
>recently formed VHF UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC).  The VUAC was formed to
>provide a resource of experienced VHF/UHF/Microwave hams to advise on
>VHF/UHF/Microwave contesting and related matters.  The VUAC has received
>it's first assignment which I have copied below verbatim:
>
>Is there a rationale to change the VHF/UHF contest rules to not allow the
>use of 144.200 (the 2 meter SSB calling frequency) during ARRL contests?
>
>    A.  Is there sufficient reason for change?
>    B.  If not a rules change...is there adequate motivation to take other
>action?  Such as
>         a FAQ page on using calling frequencies during contests, or the
>creation of a page on
>         "Best Practices" for contest operation on the two meter calling
>frequency.
>
>What I am looking for are rational arguments for or against the question.  I
>am not looking for long diatribes about the evils of the ARRL or whatever
>your pet peeve is.  This is not really my preferred method for getting input
>on something like this but I couldn't think of any other way to get a quick
>snapshot of what my constituents think about this.  I am mostly interested
>in input from folks in the Southeastern Division (Florida, Georgia and
>Alabama).  I encourage everyone else to contact their representative on the
>VUAC and let them know what you think.  There is no need to tie up the
>reflector with this so please respond directly to me.  Thanks.
>
>73
>Jim, W4KXY
>
>
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