This weekend's HF contest

[KD4LEI]

Goodness gracious!

Operators telling other operators to QSY because a particular frequency is in use and they operate on it as their frequency. Acting like they own it although they don't.

Sad really...

[KM5FL]

Contest??

YAWN....................

[NF2C]

Stop on 10 cw now for the ten ten contest...Actually a few stations around and PLENTY of room!!!
73, Chris NF2C http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KD4LEI]

Quote[/b] (KM5FL @ Oct. 28 2005,13:01)]Contest??

YAWN....................
Other than Field Day when I get with a club, I tend to avoid some of the contesting and concentrate on some needed work I have to get done.

I just came down to check e-mail, do a little documentation work using MS Word and heard that senseless activity on 14.164 MHz.

Sounds like people are starting to settle down a little and just getting to work on piling up contacts.

[ve2nsm]

I think, but then again it's just me, that contests should be restricted to a certain part of the band in order not to ruin the weekend of other fellow hams who don't care about contesting.

It's really a pain in the posterior not to be able to use the radio for two days.

[w5alt]

There won't be much contest activity in the CW and digital portions of the band. Neither on the WARC bands.

[KC9ECI]

I enjoy contesting, but they really ought not be allowed to use the lower portion of 40 for it during phone contests. They've really ruined the CW portion of 40 this evening.

[N8CPA]

The lower end of 40 is all Euro-DX is permitted. So US stas operate split. Transmit on the phone bands, listen in the US CW bands. Some announce the QSX while calling CQ.

[KC9ECI]

I've operated phone on the lower end of 40...but I still think that contesting there shouldn't be allowed.

[KD4LEI]

I was hoping to get on some tonight and chat with some people I know on 40. That may not even happen and a small portion of my weekend has been shot by that happening.

I don't have a problem if people want to contest, but if other people want to get on and do other things vs contesting, they should respect that fact.

I somewhat agree with the poster who said that there should be a portions of the spectrum on each band reserved solely for when contesting happens. It should then return to normal use after it's completed. But that brings up other issues and concerns and thusly puts us back to square one.

[kc0vrs]

I am operating at W0ENO. I tried to get ahold of K0RF, but no luck.

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (KM5FL @ Oct. 28 2005,22:01)]Contest??

YAWN....................
Contest ??

GRRRRR ...................

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 28 2005,19:27)]There won't be much contest activity in the CW and digital portions of the band. Neither on the WARC bands.
You obviously have not been listening to 40 meters!

Quote[/b] (ve2nsm @ Oct. 28 2005,19:18)]I think, but then again it's just me, that contests should be restricted to a certain part of the band in order not to ruin the weekend of other fellow hams who don't care about contesting.

It's really a pain in the posterior not to be able to use the radio for two days.

That's why there are WARC bands! I have made contacts on 12, 17 and 30 meters in the last week, so don't give me the lame excuse that propagation is down. If this contest has ruined your entire weekend, then maybe you need to get another hobby for those times when ham radio does not satisfy all of your needs.

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Oct. 28 2005,23:56)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 28 2005,19:27)]There won't be much contest activity in the CW and digital portions of the band. Neither on the WARC bands.
You obviously have not been listening to 40 meters!
Actually, all of 40m is available for SSB here and requiring the rest of the world to abandon their allocated frequencies is a pretty ridiculous and overly pompous attitude, as I see it.

At any rate, there are some CW signals audible here. There's a rag chew been going on on 7.023, a couple of CW QSO's between 7.006 and 7.009, some sort of CW pileup on 7.003, etc. I'm hearing all this with an indoor antenna. What sort of filters are you using to listen with?

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[w8cbc]

Well, I didn't hear any contesting on 160 metres while I was busy screwing up my antenna tuning contraption. I guess I'll hang around there the next few nights. Say, I assume 60 metres aren't in the contest. Maybe we'll get a bit of "overflow" activity there...? (wanders off to investigate)

[w8amd]

Quote[/b] (kd8bsr @ Oct. 29 2005,02:26)]Well, I didn't hear any contesting on 160 metres while I was busy screwing up my antenna tuning contraption. I guess I'll hang around there the next few nights. Say, I assume 60 metres aren't in the contest. Maybe we'll get a bit of "overflow" activity there...? (wanders off to investigate)
The lower end of 160 had quite a few contesters when I was on. not many up the band. I don't contest but I did make a couple of contacts with them. 160 is generaly where I'm found at night currently.

What times are you generaly on? We should give it a whirl on 1.965 or there abouts one of these nights.

[n8yx]

I'll probably be WARCin' it this weekend...17M always seems to have a fair amount of activity present, and the level of such may increase as others look to get away from the phun on the other bands.

[KC9ECI]

I decided to try QRO this contest. I'm doing no better than had I gone QRP.

[K9STH]

ECI:

You don't understand about 40 meters. Region II (North and South America) have the entire 7000 KHz to 7300 KHz frequency range. Regions I and III (the rest of the world) have 7000 KHz to 7100 KHz. Effective 2009 the 7100 KHz to 7200 KHz range is being reallocated world wide as amateur radio as the primary user. This will give the 7000 KHz to 7200 KHz range world wide.

Now certain countries in Region I and III have allocated 7100 KHz to 7200 KHz to their amateur radio operators on a secondary basis. But, in general, those areas of the world EXCEPT for North and South America MUST confine their transmissions between 7000 KHz and 7100 KHz. Thus, they are in OUR CW band but NOT in the CW band of the rest of the world.

As such, most of the world CANNOT operate above 7100 KHz and since other countries in Region II (including those in the United States posessions below 20 degrees latitude) can operate using phone in the U.S. CW band they do so with full legal authority.

To gripe about people operating completely legally, and in many cases operating in the ONLY frequency range that they can legally do so, just shows a lack of understanding of the situation.

Glen, K9STH

[KC9ECI]

I understand that they are operating legally Glen, I just don't like phone below 7.060 or so.

[w8cbc]

AMD - I'm too random in my operating practises (as already demonstrated) to be relied upon to be any where-and-when.

One I try to catch on the weekends though is the 1895 net, 0000-0100 GMT. It's there every evening but I work later than that during the week. They're scattered around Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio for the most part and a pleasant, friendly crowd. I think you'll like 'em.

There's also the GCARA net on 1936 at 2100 ET Thursday nights - it shifts with the time change so it'll be 0200 GMT as of next week. That's generally Cincinnasti-area but there are a few who check in from elsewhere and all are welcomed. It always runs well over its hour, sometimes there are some still on 1936 up to midnight.

1965 just hasn't been working out for me. Oh well.

Nothing on 60 last night. But I was quite late when I got 'round to it. I guess it'll be 30 and 17 and 12 today and try to do something about all this RF hash around here. Maybe I'll pull the building's main breaker... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[w8znx]

hello
know its legal
but still don't like it
P40 something all the way down on 7010
calling cq contest

#come on!

today fone contesters below 7035
give it a few years
and they will be rag chewing below 7035

40 full of fone contesters

80 cw was empty of any signals
band not broke
there was plenty of action up on 75 fone

just nobody there
called cq on and off for over a hour no action

on 40 there were cw ops trying
to make contacts thrugh the fone qrm

hey fellows get on 80 cw

when band good
can almost get away with any antenna

wensday morn 0800 gmt
worked station in NJ
he was running standard rice box es 75 watts
hooked to a slinky style antenna, indoors

its a great cw band, lots of room
for TNT or Hartly, or fire up ur command set
realy crazy fire up a BC 375
or a Knight T-150, hooked to a NC -98
warm up the AN/GRC-109 set

late winters night 80 cw you can get away
with running junk you would not dare
try on 40 or 20
lots of room to drift,
receiver 3 db down at 12 kc
never fear lots of room for ur old Hallicrafters

yours truly Mac

[w8cbc]

See you in the 3700 area tonight then, Mac. If you don't mind my horrible 7-10 WPM that is.

[AG3Y]

I agree completely with Mac's appraisal of the situation. Right now, I am copying SSTV stations on the "normal" gathering frequency of 14.230 ( been that for YEARS ) and the contesters are jumping all over them !

Can't even 3 Khz of the band be respected for one group of hams ?

Just one more reason I am NOT a CONTESTER ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

73, Jim

[KC9ECI]

Nothing wrong with being a contester Jim, it's when you can't have a little respect for the others that want to play on the radio and leave them a little room to do so. 14.230 is a good example. The Hurricane watch net is active now as well and there are contesters calling over the top of them as well. I should think that a little common sense would prevail. I'm having a blast working the contest. I'm just plugging along here, makeing a contact, posting a spot, going out and tweaking the new antenna, having a diet Pepsi...you get the idea....very relaxed contesting....

[wg7x]

Jim, AG3Y asks:
Quote[/b] ]Can't even 3 Khz of the band be respected for one group of hams ?

Good question Jim, and I think that you already know the answer: Nope!

Let's see... What is it.. About 700,000 hams in the US? Someting like that. Should each of the 700k hams in the US have their "own" frequency?

Of course not? Well, OK how many nets on 20 meters alone? Maybe with the nets we can consolidate a few of those rascals.

Anyone care to guess? I honestly don't know,but it seems that there is some kind of net every 5 kHz on twenty at any given time of day/week/year; and every one of them wants a 5 kHz +/- swath of spectrum QRM-free.

Can't do it. Even with all those fellow mashed togther on the nets, it still represents a small fraction of the available HF operators.

So, what's a Net control to do? Well, I suspect that in times of QRM, such as that generated by contestors, it gives the net a great opportunity to learn how to do thier business under less than ideal conditions! This applies especially to the so-called emergency nets. After all, when the stuff REAAALY hits the fan, who's to say what the conditions would be like? Having a nice quiet requency would be nice, but it is just not a realistic expectation.

No, in a real emergency, I would want a contest operator on the other end of MY emergency, because he/she knows how to extract information under less than ideal conditions, and they probably have a fairly good station to do it with.

Now, back to those SSTV nets...

Jim, you know that it is not just 14.230 that is used by SSTV, don't you? On twenty alone the new "digital" SSTV is taking up 14.233 also. That's six (6) kHz on twenty meters alone?!?

Have you guys figured out how to QSY to 21.340 yet?

How about the SSTV frequencies on forty and eighty?

Personally, I think that SSTV should be moved down band to about 14.125 plus or minus and no phone coordinations allowed! Think about that... Nobody to bother you fellows, except an upset Canadian or two...

73 Gary WG7X

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Oct. 29 2005,14:31)]Can't even 3 Khz of the band be respected for one group of hams ? #
But a voluntary bandwidth based bandplan is the solution?

[K9STH]

ECI:

Realistically expecting foreign SSB operators to confine themselves to just 40 KHz of the band while allowing CW (which is not used anywhere near as much) 60 KHz of the band is unreasonable.

Now most of the contesters (not all, but most) do try to stay above 7025 KHz or 7030 KHz. Now that does put the Extra CW portion pretty much in the clear. However, it does put a damper on CW for the Advanced and General operators.

It is the same during non contest periods, most foreign SSB operators do try to stay above 7025 KHz. Unfortunately, that doesn't do the United States amateur radio operator much good. However, since they are restricted to that range it is understandable. As for those in Region II outside of the United States, the foreign shortwave AM broadcasts from Region I and III make use of that segment of the band almost useless after dark, I don't blame them for operating below 7100 KHz where they don't have to be bothered with the broadcasters.

40 meters has been my favorite band for over 46 years and I have come to "live with" the SSB interference. In fact, with a decent filter you can copy CW right through the SSB station without any problem. When the QRM was from AM the situation was a bit harder. Not impossible, but definitely harder to copy CW through an AM station unless you let the AM carrier provide the BFO. Then it is much easier.

Glen, K9STH

[w4rot]

Let them have their fun.
Build an antenna.
Spend time with the wife.
Rap with a kid.
w4rot

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (w4rot @ Oct. 29 2005,19:50)]Let them have their fun.
Build an antenna.
Spend time with the wife.
Rap with a kid.
w4rot
I won't impede their ability.
I did...two in fact this week, a 3E 6M from Cushcraft and a 6-BTV from Hustler...ok, I didn't build them, but I did assemble them. It's all fun.

Did that today too. Went and bought a kayak and took her and the 3rd harmonic down to the lake and tried it out.

[KC9ECI]

BTW, I'm finding that I *REALLY* don't like working split on 40.

[AA0CX]

For a break from the madhouse, try trolling 30 meters. Generally a decent place, with everyone limited to 200 watts or less!

[VE7NOT]

I understand the problem. Last night I went to meet a fellow ham on 40m after the 'mornic 41m sw station' got off the frequenct 3kz away. 2 khz down was some yahoo in Idaho yelling his call letters out every 4 seconds on average. I waited for responses to his 'braadcast'. There were none. He just kept giving his call every several seconds for what seemed like 10 minutes straght. No CQ no contest... just his call.

The QRM from this ham was so bad i sent a QSY in code to the ham i was trying to meet to go to 60m. Unfourtunity it was so bad on his end that he couldn't even copy what was probably 3 wpm of code and two letters http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I think contesting should be litmited to a portian of the band to. I prefer ragchewing mostly and if i get a Dx I prefer to talk not just move on. That being said if i ever feel the urge to operate like this i'll see if the frequencies ajacent are clear before giving a go. And prehaps 1 minute of calling is enough http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[w4rot]

I hate the crappo voice keyers as well,
but hey if you didn't know it was coming...
Repaint the cave.
w4rot

[K2WH]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Oct. 28 2005,16:56)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 28 2005,19:27)]There won't be much contest activity in the CW and digital portions of the band. Neither on the WARC bands.
You obviously have not been listening to 40 meters!

Quote[/b] (ve2nsm @ Oct. 28 2005,19:18)]I think, but then again it's just me, that contests should be restricted to a certain part of the band in order not to ruin the weekend of other fellow hams who don't care about contesting.

It's really a pain in the posterior not to be able to use the radio for two days.

That's why there are WARC bands! I have made contacts on 12, 17 and 30 meters in the last week, so don't give me the lame excuse that propagation is down. If this contest has ruined your entire weekend, then maybe you need to get another hobby for those times when ham radio does not satisfy all of your needs.
Not everyone has WARC capable rigs, lamo! You ever think of that?

[K2WH]

Quote[/b] (kd8bsr @ Oct. 28 2005,19:26)]Well, I didn't hear any contesting on 160 metres while I was busy screwing up my antenna tuning contraption. #I guess I'll hang around there the next few nights. #Say, I assume 60 metres aren't in the contest. #Maybe we'll get a bit of "overflow" activity there...? (wanders off to investigate)
Nothing on 60. Just checked. They are all working the contest.

[AG3Y]

Sorry Gary, but I have to insist that it is you who doesn't understand the intent and purpose of SSTV. Many times, the pictures are sent to enhance the qso that is taking place on the frequency. "Hey, would you like to see a picture of my shack? Well, here it comes ! " sort of thing. It isn't a question of simply using the voice to "coordinate" the linkup at all !

Furthermore, there are many guys on the frequency at one time, a net if you will, and when a contester comes in and blasts away with his "CQ contest" over the top of a picture being sent, it isn't one person that is being affected by the Lid's poor operating practice, it is SEVERAL !

By advocating that SSTVers go to other frequencies, you are not doing anything that will reduce the problem, but only cause more difficulties. 20 meters has the best propagation and conditions for exchanging pictures most of the time, and insisting that SSTVers spread out to other bands just creates more frequencies to be QRMed !

It's thinking like that, that causes me great concern when I start thinking about "frequency allocation by bandwidth". Contesters that start yelling "CQ" without checking to see if the frequency is occupied are every bit as bad as the infamous "Pactor Robots" ! Perhaps more so, because they have the ability to listen and determine if there is already activity on the band. They should know better !

Jim

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Oct. 29 2005,18:13)]Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Oct. 28 2005,16:56)]Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 28 2005,19:27)]There won't be much contest activity in the CW and digital portions of the band. Neither on the WARC bands.
You obviously have not been listening to 40 meters!

Quote[/b] (ve2nsm @ Oct. 28 2005,19:18)]I think, but then again it's just me, that contests should be restricted to a certain part of the band in order not to ruin the weekend of other fellow hams who don't care about contesting.

It's really a pain in the posterior not to be able to use the radio for two days.

That's why there are WARC bands! I have made contacts on 12, 17 and 30 meters in the last week, so don't give me the lame excuse that propagation is down. If this contest has ruined your entire weekend, then maybe you need to get another hobby for those times when ham radio does not satisfy all of your needs.
Not everyone has WARC capable rigs, lamo! #You ever think of that?
Lamo, moi??? Gee, I am sure glad that the level of comments here hasn't degraded to juvenile name calling! Thankfully William P. Gerhold, III K2WH has not stooped to that level. His comments are well reasoned, insightful and mature.

The WARC bands were allocated in 1979. Other than vintage boat anchor collectors such as yourself, having a 26 year old radio is more of an anomaly than the norm. I would hazard a guess and say that the number of hams using vintage gear exclusively is probably very low. Even you have "modern" rigs in your stable of gear.

Nanny nanny boo boo,
NØIU

[w4rot]

Quote[/b] ] Went and bought a kayak and took her and the 3rd harmonic down to the lake and tried it out.

Cool..
Major Daywasting here,
Me and the kid did cuss words in cw.
Wife played in the dirt.
The dogs slept on the couch.
Life goes on.
w4rot

[nz3m]

Quote[/b] (VE7NOT @ Oct. 28 2005,18:57)]2 khz down was some yahoo in Idaho yelling his call letters out every 4 seconds on average. I waited for responses to his 'braadcast'. There were none. He just kept giving his call every several seconds for what seemed like 10 minutes straght. No CQ no contest... just his call.

The QRM from this ham was so bad i sent a QSY in code to the ham i was trying to meet to go to 60m. Unfourtunity it was so bad on his end that he couldn't even copy what was probably 3 wpm of code and two letters http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
He wasn't hearing your code. He was listening to a DX station down the band who was listening up. For example, the DX may have been on 7.096 calling "CQ contest listening .225"

So, the guy was working split, he wasn't hearing you at all.

Dave

[w4hwd]

Yeah, contesting sucks. Ego maniacs trying to impress their ham buddies with big scores...YAWN.
Some of these guys stack thousands of pounds worth of aluminum hundreds of feet into the air over acres and acres of land just to operate about 6-8 weekends a year. That's stupid. But then again, it's their money...
If you got piles of money and land, you can buy yourself a good contest station...nothing to it. He who has the most aluminum wins. Wow! Yelling the same thing over and over into a microphone, out over all that aluminum is real impressive...takes talent, you know. If you think about, the contesters mentality parallels the CB Ch. 6 "super bowl"; the CBers use raw power, the contesters use raw aluminum...and they both have about the same operating abilities!
I use contest weekends to see if my puny little wire antennas work. Work a DX station, then I shut the rig off.
There was a time when contesters were courteous. No longer. These alligators nowadays don't even check if the frequency is in use before yelling "CQ"...again, they must massage their own egos. Oh well, there's many other things to do besides ham radio, which is quickly wearing out it's welcome at this QTH anyway....

[VE7NOT]

Quote[/b] (w4hwd @ Oct. 29 2005,21:14)]Yeah, contesting sucks. Ego maniacs trying to impress their ham buddies with big scores...YAWN.
Some of these guys stack thousands of pounds worth of aluminum hundreds of feet into the air over acres and acres of land just to operate about 6-8 weekends a year. That's stupid. But then again, it's their money...
If you got piles of money and land, you can buy yourself a good contest station...nothing to it. He who has the most aluminum wins. Wow! Yelling the same thing over and over into a microphone, out over all that aluminum is real impressive...takes talent, you know.
I use contest weekends to see if my puny little wire antennas work. Work a DX station, then I shut the rig off.
There was a time when contesters were courteous. No longer. These alligators nowadays don't even check if the frequency is in use before yelling "CQ"...again, they must massage their own egos. Oh well, there's many other things to do besides ham radio...
sounds like 27.025 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif i was told hams were different and didn;t do 'keydowns'

[w4hwd]

Quote[/b] (VE7NOT @ Oct. 29 2005,23:18)]Quote[/b] (w4hwd @ Oct. 29 2005,21:14)]Yeah, contesting sucks. Ego maniacs trying to impress their ham buddies with big scores...YAWN.
Some of these guys stack thousands of pounds worth of aluminum hundreds of feet into the air over acres and acres of land just to operate about 6-8 weekends a year. That's stupid. But then again, it's their money...
If you got piles of money and land, you can buy yourself a good contest station...nothing to it. He who has the most aluminum wins. Wow! Yelling the same thing over and over into a microphone, out over all that aluminum is real impressive...takes talent, you know.
I use contest weekends to see if my puny little wire antennas work. Work a DX station, then I shut the rig off.
There was a time when contesters were courteous. No longer. These alligators nowadays don't even check if the frequency is in use before yelling "CQ"...again, they must massage their own egos. Oh well, there's many other things to do besides ham radio...
sounds like 27.025 #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif # #i was told hams were different and didn;t do 'keydowns'
It is obvious you didn't thorougly read my post before commenting. And 27.025 MHz, for all those of you who don't know *IS* CB Ch. 6.

But now that you mention it, I guess contesting could be considered amateur radio's version of a "keydown" http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[w8cbc]

I tried to get into tonight's 1895 net. Nobody could hear my notsogreat signal for all the QRM (normally they can). The thing is, it wasn't contesting - I think it was mostly ops who fled from 80.

[K9STH]

IU:

Not all "boat anchor" equipment doesn't have the WARC bands. I use Collins S-Lines and not only have 30, 17, and 12 meters but also have 60 meters as well.

My Hallicrafters HT-20 transmitter covers the entire spectrum from 1.5 MHz to 30 MHz. Although I don't own either, the Johnson Viking I and Viking II cover the WARC bands. Also, a number of the old Novice Class transmitters will work fine on 17 and 12 meters although 30 meters is generally outside of what they do cover.

Of course the general coverage receivers work fine on the WARC bands. Now as for the "amateur band only" receivers, it depends on the receiver as to whether or not they cover any WARC bands. My Heath Mohawk actually covers the 12 meter band. This is due to the fact that the converter band is 22 MHz to 26 MHz. My RME 6900 covers the 30 meter band. The WWV band on this receiver is 10 MHz to 11 MHz and thus covers the 30 meter band. Other receivers have WWV at 10 MHz and thus can cover the 30 meter band.

The Drake 4-Line can cover the WARC bands but not the 60 meter band. No 60 meter is due to the frequency of the VFO.

Anyway, with the exception of 40 meters (due to the fact that only 7000 KHz to 7100 KHz is available on a world wide basis) during an SSB contest you can always work CW and during a CW contest you can always work SSB. Then there are the WARC bands and 60 meters that all of the major contests do not allow operation for points.

I go in "spurts" as to whether or not I really participate in contests. If I am not in the "mood" then I may operate a couple of hours just to make sure my antennas are working up to "snuff". If I am in the "mood" then I go "whole hog" and generally place fairly high. Depending on the actual contest I have won anywhere from the 5th call area to the entire of North America (in DX contests). In the ARRL contests I have taken the West Gulf Division a few times including VHF contests. Then at other times I don't even bother to send in a log!

Glen, K9STH

[ab8ma]

My ears are starting to hurt. Not to mention that I had to leave the radio a few times due to my building frustration. Almost got an EW (there were 2 EW's at one time or another on 20) but the crowd and non-rotatable windom (and low skill level?) prevented that.

I did get an EK yesterday, and I am happy.

Wall to wall. Guess today I'll watch the Lions beat the Bears hi hi.

[KC9ECI]

I've found myself getting frustrated at times too. When it stops being fun, it's time to go do something else for a while.

[ky5u]

I have a recipe for fixing this. Lets throw 100k NCGs on the voice bands and then adopt a dumb a$$ed bandwidth based bandplan that turns loose digital stations to QRM in the voice bands. Yep. That will fix it all! Lets have a "gentleman's agreement"!

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Oct. 30 2005,13:21)]I have a recipe for fixing this. #Lets throw 100k NCGs on the voice bands and then adopt a dumb a$$ed bandwidth based bandplan that turns loose digital stations to QRM in the voice bands. #Yep. #That will fix it all! # Lets have a "gentleman's agreement"!
Have you considered a decaffinated coffee OM? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[WA5VQM]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ Oct. 30 2005,09:28)]The Drake 4-Line can cover the WARC bands but not the 60 meter band. No 60 meter is due to the frequency of the VFO.
I'm having fun on 17M with my Drake twins....

I'm casually participating in this contest. Mainly just to prove these old rigs and a wet noodle antenna can still cut it. I just worked RU1A on 20M with my barefoot Drake and a ground mounted vertical so I guess they still do. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Mark - WA5VQM

[KC9GUZ]

Quote[/b] (KD4LEI @ Oct. 28 2005,18:57)]Goodness gracious!

Operators telling other operators to QSY because a particular frequency is in use and they operate on it as their frequency. #Acting like they own it although they don't.

Sad really...
Remember. its just a hobby. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (K9STH @ Oct. 29 2005,13:59)]40 meters has been my favorite band for over 46 years and I have come to "live with" the SSB interference. #In fact, with a decent filter you can copy CW right through the SSB station without any problem. #When the QRM was from AM the situation was a bit harder. #Not impossible, but definitely harder to copy CW through an AM station unless you let the AM carrier provide the BFO. #Then it is much easier.
Glen has it right. During the contest Friday evening I was working a DX station near 7.046 split and I was also copying a CW net using 7.046. Neither seemed to be bothered much by the other. The stateside CW ops were certainly not causing me any problem hearing the DX on SSB and when I went to CW mode and cut in the narrow filters, I hardly knew the SSB op was there. Proper use if the tools in your radio makes coexistance much easier.

[VE1IDX]

I really don't understand what all the fuss is about a bandwidth based bandplan.I like the way it is up here.We do not have subbands here.Industry Canada has set a maximum bandwidth allowed for the entire band.It has been that way for years and so far there has not been a problem.This weekend I was trying to hold a sched with a friend on 80m but the QRM was unreal due to the contest.A quick email to him and a bit later we were on 3600 LSB with a quiet frequency.I had one USA station on CW inform me I was out of band but when I reminded him I was in Canada and subject to differant rules he went away.I figure on contest weekends all other gentlemans agreements go out the window so why not forgo the 3700 barrier?

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ Oct. 30 2005,11:30)]Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Oct. 30 2005,13:21)]I have a recipe for fixing this. Lets throw 100k NCGs on the voice bands and then adopt a dumb a$$ed bandwidth based bandplan that turns loose digital stations to QRM in the voice bands. Yep. That will fix it all! Lets have a "gentleman's agreement"!
Have you considered a decaffinated coffee OM? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
LOL!! This issue reminds me of a game I played with my kids when they were little. They would cover their eyes and I would say, "Where's (name)? I can't see him/her!" When they would peek through their fingers, I would say, "There you are!".

Much like the child's game, if the license requirement reformers and bandwidth bandplanners hide their eyes from what is happening today on the bands, it makes the issue invisible.

[AG3Y]

Please help this "not a contester" OF out ! I thought that when the WARC bands were established there was to be NO CONTESTING on them. And yet, i have been reading of contest activity taking place on those bands.

I realize that the League and other similar world world-wide organizations set up these contests. Don't they prohibit the submission of test scores that utilize these bands to gain extra points? Or has that all changed in the years since the WARC bands were adopted ?

Sign me "confused" ! 73, Jim

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Oct. 31 2005,07:58)]Please help this "not a contester" OF out ! #I thought that when the WARC bands were established there was to be NO CONTESTING on them. #And yet, i have been reading of contest activity taking place on those bands.

I realize that the League and other similar world world-wide organizations set up these contests. #Don't they prohibit the submission of test scores that utilize these bands to gain extra points? #Or has that all changed in the years since the WARC bands were adopted ?

Sign me "confused" ! # 73, Jim
No you are not confused Jim. The WARC bands are still off limits to contests and the rules clearly spell it out. Anyone who submits a log with WARC band QSOs in it will be disqualified.

From the rules for this past weekends contest:

"II. Bands: All bands, 1.8-28 Mhz, except for the WARC bands."

Right there as the second rule on the list. The rule on disqualifications specifically mentions violation of any contest rules as cause for a DQ.

Unless you heard it yourself, I would not assume contesting was taking place on the WARC bands. I've never heard it myself and if I'm not in the contest I am active on the WARC bands.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[N4QX]

I fail to understand why wall-to-wall use of any amateur band or bad segment, whether for contesting or for another activity, is a bad thing.

[w8cbc]

I heard "CQ contest" with contest-type replies in 17. Didn't log it. But I'm sure somebody did.

[ab8ma]

Well, I enjoyed it. Wasn't competing, just have a low wire. But I did get two "New Ones". For me, that constituted a successful DX weekend, and I have the contest to thank.

I spent 2 hours trying to get 5Z4DZ.

Then I did the dishes and carried the cat litter downstairs for the xyl.

Then I got 5Z4DZ.

[kf6rdn]

Quote[/b] (kd8bsr @ Oct. 31 2005,09:41)]I heard "CQ contest" with contest-type replies in 17. #Didn't log it. #But I'm sure somebody did.
I heard calling on 17, but I didn't hear replies. Didn't log it.

Quote[/b] ]I fail to understand why wall-to-wall use of any amateur band or bad segment, whether for contesting or for another activity, is a bad thing.

Not everyone wants to contest. The WARC bands are sort of a haven from that.

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (ab8ma @ Oct. 31 2005,12:52)]I spent 2 hours trying to get 5Z4DZ.

Then I did the dishes and carried the cat litter downstairs for the xyl.

Then I got 5Z4DZ.


See, Your good deed got rewarded #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

73, Jim # (and thanks for the clarification, guys !)

[ab8ma]

Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Oct. 31 2005,17:03)]Quote[/b] (ab8ma @ Oct. 31 2005,12:52)]I spent 2 hours trying to get 5Z4DZ.

Then I did the dishes and carried the cat litter downstairs for the xyl.

Then I got 5Z4DZ.


See, Your good deed got rewarded #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

73, Jim # (and thanks for the clarification, guys !)
That's what AB8PH said. My wife.

No good deed goes unpublished, or something like that.

Sometimes it works that way. I was in the loudest pileup. Then, a bit later, all I heard was the calling station. He was answering calls as quickly as ever, but I was not hearing the pileup anymore. It seemed as quiet as a split operation, but it was on 14.237.

TA8FC ssb Gabon now on 14.130. Darn.