Fellow CTRI Contest Group members,
My next door neighbor, Tom KE1JF, has been running a special event for several years and asked if any of us would lke to participate in it this July. It starts the weekend after Field Day, and runs through the 5th of July.
The URL for all the details is www.13colonies.info
73 de KB1LN Bob
Bob – I was contacted by Tom KE1JF late last year re: this event. I’ll be doing the event, pretty much as a CW station, as time permits. Interesting that event activity is scheduled outside the WARC bands which I found a bit surprising. It’ll be my 2nd 1×1 c/s during 2012!
73 Bill W1WBB
I may also decide to participate. Generally, special event stations do not operate on 30M, 17M, and 12M. I think it’s because spectrum is so limited there that most hams want them to remain a haven from much of the pile-up activity that these events can generate. It’s a good example of the self-policing that we do.
For our own SE, I listed the suggested NEQP frequencies, figuring they’re a good place to start. But I also never even considered operating on the “WARC” bands outside of the contest. It just doesn’t seem right to me.
73,
Pat, NG1G
Pat – why NOT utilize the WARC bands for the CTRI S/E 1×1 calls outside of NEQP?? Our type of S/E operation is certainly consistent with the intended use of 10, 18 and 24 MHz I believe. Plenty of large DX-peditions (creating big pile-ups) and other S/E stations make full use of these bands too.
I DO understand the thinking if you want to minimize the number of pre-NEQP contacts (May 1 thru May 4) with your 1×1 call so as to not lose those stations from calling you during the QSO Party but some of us may like to activate the S/E call ASAP. It seems OK to do it on other (non-contesting) bands — where we WON’T work them during NEQP, and where there may be better propagation to certain areas — both before and after the NEQP activity periods. Just my 2 cents worth…other’s thoughts??
73, Bill W1WBB (admitted WARC-band afficianado)
Bill,
You’re absolutely right, using the “WARC” bands for SE operation is entirely consistent with their purpose. I was just saying that in practice, the majority of SE stations don’t use them (a look at the SE schedule demonstrates that) and giving my opinion as to why that is the case. There’s also no doubt that that many DXpeditions use them as well. I didn’t mean to give the impression that CTRI members shouldn’t use them for their own SE operations.
You brought up a great point about operating with our 1×1 call signs prior to the contest on 12M, 17M, and 30M. I don’t know that others gave that consideration – I didn’t – and wonder if my attitude toward those bands’ use is shared by others as well. It deserves some serious consideration.
I’ve spent a lot of time on 17M – it’s a great band for mobile DXing/rag chewing – and have within the last two years gotten into 30M CW and RTTY operation as well. My comment about not considering them for SE operation reflects my personal feelings and experiences rather than a rational basis for their use. The great thing about 17M was that I could, with my 100W mobile signal, make lots of contacts without having to bust through piles of signals. Maybe it’s just “wistful” thinking or maybe the character of those bands have changed over the years to reflect more use, which is always a good thing. Does this mean I’m becoming an “old timer”? I’m too young for that!!
Thanks for continuing the discussion!
73,
Pat, NG1G
Pat — All good points! I wonder if others are following this WARC-band discussion under the 13 Colonies topic?!? I may be tempted to just try out the new call there during the first few days…May 1 00Z starts as soon as Monday night! Regardless, have fun in the pileups and see you during NEQP, hopefully on a few bands.
73, Bill W1WBB (K1B)
I was wondering that myself – I always read all the posts because one never knows what topic is going to spring up, and I could miss something very important!
73,
Pat, NG1G