[VHFcontesting] Banning The Use Of 144.200 MHz During Contests

[Stephen Hicks, N5AC]

> 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?

I would say the most significant issue we have had on 144.200 is "big gun"
stations calling CQ on this channel with a beam pointed North running 1.5kW,
and wiping out the little guy they can't hear that is SE (for example).
This has frustrated many of the small fixed stations.  Rather than petition
a body to create a new rule, however, as communicators we felt it was best
to SIMPLY PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE FOLKS CREATING THE "PROBLEM."  We
did this and they were very sympathetic and now in the West Gulf, we have a
new procedure (unofficially) which is or these big guns to call on .200 if
they like, but to "listen up xxx kHz."  This worked very well in the June
contest and the few "big gun" stations were appreciative we contacted them
and they continue to be big contributors in time and energy to the contests.

I think one of the fundamental procedural issues here is that if we find
something we don't like, we have a tendency to demand a rule change to
"outlaw" the procedure.  If we do this, we are going to have a set of
contest rules that look like the code of federal regulations and we will
disqualify, ex post facto, a portion of the score submissions.  My
preference would be to not do this.  

Jim, since you mentioned "Best Practices," would the contest committee be
willing to propose that some of their work product be a list of these,
rather than new rules, that could be appended to the contest rules?  In
other words, with each "issue" you address could the result be 1) a rule
change, 2) an addition to the "Best Practices" list, or 3) a finding of "no
change required"?

73,
Steve, N5AC