[VHFcontesting] [VHF] Use of 146.52 Simplex allowed in ARRL Contests

[Mark Spencer]

I agree with those who have expressed concerns about calling "CQ contest" continually on 146.52

Driving through remote areas in BC and Alberta I've had occasional pleasant and interesting QSO's on 146.52 over the years in very out of the way places.  It's rare but it does happen.  My sense is that many of the operators who monitor 146.52 have little or no interest in contesting and a high power station on a hill top continuously calling CQ contest would be un welcome.   Occasional CQ's should be ok in my view.

I am hoping to make a few additional contest QSO's on 146.52 and will be interested to see how things work out.   This slightly raises my interest level in visiting remote grids as even if I can't work dx on  ssb or CW  I might conceivably be able to work some of the locals on 146.52 but in reality it's probably unlikely to happen very often.

Best regards
Mark S
VE7AFZ

Sent from my iPad

On 2015-10-30, at 9:08 AM, Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:

> Dale,
> 
> That's a valid concern. In Alabama, we have a group of FM DX'ers who enjoy communicating over long distances on simplex. They use high power, large antenna arrays, etc. Here they use frequencies other than 146.520 to conduct statewide nets, ragchew, and DX.
> 
> Occasionally, you'll find these operators monitoring 146.520, as their nets are confined to Sunday nights. But I've never heard them be anything other than kind, courteous, and professional.
> 
> During past contests, I've often checked into the simplex net, and asked net control to allow me to make contest contacts immediately after the net. These exchanges have always put a few new contacts, and sometimes a new grid into the log.
> 
> In metro areas like Chicago, it may be a bigger issue, but 146.520 is a ghost town compared to years gone by. I travel around the US extensively, and operate simplex often. Even with a 60 watt mobile rig, it can be difficult to raise anyone, especially outside "drive times".
> 
> I think the main responsibility lies with operators trying to initiate contest contacts, as Dale suggested. Be brief, and don't monopolize the frequency with endless CQ's. Fingers crossed that we don't hear of any problems come the January event.
> 
> Or as Steely Dan put it  best, "FM-No static at all...."
> 
> 
> --
> 73,
> 
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
> 
> 6M VUCC #1712
> AMSAT #38965
> Grid Bandits #222
> Southeastern VHF Society
> Central States VHF Society Life Member
> Six Club #2484
> 
> Active on 6 Meters thru 1296
> 
> 
> On 10/30/2015 9:46 AM, Dale wrote:
>> 
>> Les,
>> 
>> 
>> To be honest, I cringed when I saw that announcement.  Yeah, I know that .52 goes unused during contests, and I have been glad for that.  A major reason for my saying this is that back in pre-historic times (1970s and '80s), I lived and operated in the Chicago suburban area.  I really did not do contests then, except for Field Day with the local club.
>> 
>> 
>> Contesting on '52 is OK as long as everyone keeps a level head, keeps the contacts short, and goes to other simplex freqs to find more contacts.  The problem around the Chicago area was that there were a few, very few (but that's all it takes) lids who would get on '52 and fire up their high power amps, calling CQ to rag chew and not contest, thus blocking the frequency for a 50 mile radius (or more) and killing contest contacts.  That went away as soon as the "no contesting" rule went into effect.
>> 
>> 
>> So, maybe the lids have moved on or become SKs by now, but let us hope that such antics do not return.
>> 
>> 
>> 73, Dale
>> 
>> WA9ENA
>> 
>> EN-42
>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> --
> 73,
> 
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
> 
> 6M VUCC #1712
> AMSAT #38965
> Grid Bandits #222
> Southeastern VHF Society
> Central States VHF Society Life Member
> Six Club #2484
> 
> Active on 6 Meters thru 1296
> 
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