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Is ham radio a sport ??

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w5tvw

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of
the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too
much??

73,
Sandy W5TVW

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Manthe
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:05 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??

Many contesters consider contesting "radiosport."

73,
Scott, N9AA

On 3/20/13 8:44 PM, Paul VanOveren wrote:
> The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a
> sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it
> interesting reading, maybe some others will also...
>
> <
> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

Isn't 17 meters left alone during contests? Also, if I remember, 30 meters is left out too. And, 30 meters is one of my favorite bands.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Mar 21, 2013, at 8:06 AM, Sandy Blaize <[hidden email]> wrote:

> TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too much??
>
> 73,
> Sandy W5TVW
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Scott Manthe
> Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:05 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??
>
> Many contesters consider contesting "radiosport."
>
> 73,
> Scott, N9AA
>
>
> On 3/20/13 8:44 PM, Paul VanOveren wrote:
>> The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a
>> sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it
>> interesting reading, maybe some others will also...
>>
>> <
>> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6193 - Release Date: 03/20/13
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ve3dvy

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

17m 12m and 30m are not used in contests

David Moes

[hidden email]
VE3DVY

On 3/21/2013 11:18 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Isn't 17 meters left alone during contests? Also, if I remember, 30 meters is left out too. And, 30 meters is one of my favorite bands.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
> On Mar 21, 2013, at 8:06 AM, Sandy Blaize <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too much??
>>
>> 73,
>> Sandy W5TVW
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Scott Manthe
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:05 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??
>>
>> Many contesters consider contesting "radiosport."
>>
>> 73,
>> Scott, N9AA
>>
>>
>> On 3/20/13 8:44 PM, Paul VanOveren wrote:
>>> The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a
>>> sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it
>>> interesting reading, maybe some others will also...
>>>
>>> <
>>> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6193 - Release Date: 03/20/13
>> ______________________________________________________________
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> ______________________________________________________________
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

Administrator

In the interest of keeping list volume under control and beter SNR, lets
end this thread at this time.

In the future, please resist the urge to reply if there have been more
than 10 postings on an off-topic like this in a short period. This one
way exceeded that limit.

73,

Eric
List Moderator
elecraft.com

On 3/21/2013 8:35 AM, david Moes wrote:
> 17m 12m and 30m are not used in contests
>
> David Moes
>
> [hidden email]
> VE3DVY

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VR2BrettGraham

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

In reply to this post by Paul VanOveren-2

W5TVW asked:

> TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of
> the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too
> much??

It takes the level of activity of a contest to keep amateur allocations
free of over-the-horizon radar.

On 2013-03-17 - during the Russian DX Contest, one of few phone/CW
events - I have only 65 entries in my OTHR SWL log.

Compare that to today - with about 6 hours left to go: 270 entries in
the log already. Sadly, that's typical for a weekday, based on about
two months of nearly daily observation.

Within minutes of contests ending, I've seen the VK OTHR return to 15m.
Contest activity can also push the OTHRs around the band - I've seen
this happen with both VK & what probably was ZC4, working their way up
the band over the course of a few hours, away from the contest activity
as it increased as the band opened to a populated part of the world -
and then back again as the band started to close down.

During the RDXC contest I also logged a LOT less of the Bravoland OTHRs,
so activity is GOOD. It keeps these nastiest of intruders - with ERPs
of ~60 dBW across 10,/20/50 kc or more of the band at one go - away.
These things are literally electromagnetic weapons of mass destruction &
they're used on amateurs daily.

Is very clear from here: use it or loose it. Amateur service activity -
even if it isn't particularly your cup of tea - is better than
radiolocation service activity in allocations where there should be no
radiolocation. At least IMHO. Nothing else keeps OTHR away - only
contests do.

I'll say this again - it would be really neat if the K3 had a predictive
blanker for OTHR.

73, ex-VR2BG/p.

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Terry Schieler-2

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

In reply to this post by Paul VanOveren-2

Regardless of your definition of "sport", this is one of the best articles I've seen (especially from 1958) that explains in layman's terms, the idiosyncrasies of our fine hobby and the hobby-within-a-hobby that is DX contesting. It was a very enjoyable read and I've shared it with others.

(Wayne's totally accurate "desoldering" article is a very close second!)

Thank you, Paul. (You too Wayne)

73,

Terry, W0FM

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul VanOveren [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 7:44 PM
To: elecraft reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??

The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it interesting reading, maybe some others will also...

<
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm
--
Paul VanOveren NF8J
5911 Snow Av
Alto, Mi 49302
(616) 868-7149

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Gary Smith-2

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

In reply to this post by VR2BrettGraham

From my perspective, ham radio certainly is a sport to some and it's
certainly going to have different impressions to different people.
With many hundreds of thousands of ham operators, there will be many
with the same opinions. Contesting certainly pushes the envelope for
better technology and if you have a pileup on a rare DX, many of the
same technological advances for contesting comes into play to wrangle
a Q from that difficult DX station with a huge pileup. I chose the K3
opposed to the Orion because of the attention Elecraft was giving at
that time to the software in the K3 and I wanted the ability to hear
a fly hiccup from 50 feet. Because of the attention to the Ham
requests, Elecraft responded rapidly and I chose the K3 with all the
whistles.

As to the OTHR, I can't say I have been aware of it at my QTH and
that may be a result on none locally or maybe a lack of adequate
antennae (all wire antennas hung in trees). But, my second radio was
a Drake TR7 and the Russian "Woodpecker" was horrible back then and
Drake had a modification to their noise blanker that was predictive
for that and it worked wonders!

It may be asking too much to think that Elecraft will improve their
noise blanking functions to meet this need. I'm not an engineer and
don't understand the limitations between difficult and impossible in
this regard. I do know power line noise from Amtrak's catenary
overhead power lines is killing my reception and there is nothing I
can do with NB & NR settings in the K3 to mitigate it. Something more
repetitive as OTHR might have better success at resolution. Still, if
there were a better way to reduce the effects of power line noise or
digital RF producing devices, that would certainly be of benefit to
almost all of us.

Gary
KA1J

> > TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small
> segment of
> > the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking
> too
> > much??
>
> It takes the level of activity of a contest to keep amateur
> allocations
> free of over-the-horizon radar.
>
> On 2013-03-17 - during the Russian DX Contest, one of few phone/CW
> events - I have only 65 entries in my OTHR SWL log.

<snip>

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w5tvw

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

In reply to this post by w5tvw

Bill,

AGREED! Also don’t forget about 60 meters! A lot of people miss a “good bet” to contact some of the people they usually work on 80 or 40 meters when those bands are jammed packed on weekends with contesting! Unfortunately, for the most part, you can’t work 60 with old boatanchor gear. It is even more useful now that they have allocated a “new channel 3” instead of the one that always seemed in government use.

Even though there is no contesting on WARC bands, there are times the propagation isn’t right for some areas you
normally work on 80/40/20 meters (especially 80/40 for short skip stuff). It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during the “tests”. I queried ARRL about it a couple of times. The ARRL Official Observers could be reporting those stations and times that the “violations” occurred. If you got more than say 5 contacts in the “off limits” segments, You could have you entire log disqualified. The “segments could be small, say 10-15 khz max.and leave a hole for those needing to work buddies across the continent. I didn’t even get an answer from them about this.

What operating courtesy existed 20+ years ago and the use of calling protocols during CW contacts has almost ceased to exist now. Some of the “no coders” ARE trying, so it’s up to us old timers to “educate” them about on the air politeness, even if ARRL doesn’t care anymore. (They no longer put the “Operating an Amateur Station” chapter in the “Handbook” anymore!)

Most of the “newbies” I have QSOed are willing to learn, but seem to be mimicking the techniques of the “hit and run” techniques used by the hard core contesters, most of which has no place in a casual polite QSO!

Just my 2 cents worth from someone that’s pounded a key since 1951. All my stern “Elmers” are “SK” now I’m afraid. Sometimes they had stern words for us beginners back then.

73,

Sandy W5TVW

From: Bill Gerth
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:27 AM
To: Sandy Blaize
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??

Sandy,

Actually, ALL WARC BANDS (30, 17, 12 meters) are already off limits to contest activity. This is strictly enforced by contest organizers by rejecting any QSOs submitted for those bands. Although I am a contester, I don't enter every contest. The WARC bands offer a wide variety of propagation characteristics and I really enjoy using them.

73,

BILL GERTH, W4RK
Jefferson City, MO
First Licensed 1954
CWOPS #459
4 States QRP Group
KX3 (S/N 112)

On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:06 AM, Sandy Blaize wrote:

TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too much??

73,
Sandy W5TVW

-----Original Message----- From: Scott Manthe
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:05 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??

Many contesters consider contesting "radiosport."

73,
Scott, N9AA

On 3/20/13 8:44 PM, Paul VanOveren wrote:

The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a

sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it

interesting reading, maybe some others will also...

<

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6193 - Release Date: 03/20/13
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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6194 - Release Date: 03/21/13
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: COntest free zones (was: Is ham radio a sport ??)

> It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off
> limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band
> in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during
> the “tests”.

You've got to be kidding - particularly on 80/40 meter CW and data.
With the most recent "land grab" by phone there is less than 50 KHz
for US data operations. On 40, the area between 7100 and 7150 is
almost completely void of CW/RTTY contest activity even in CQWW -
the most crowded of all contests.

> even if ARRL doesn’t care anymore. (They no longer put the “Operating
> an Amateur Station” chapter in the “Handbook” anymore!)

That's because it has been expanded to an entire book:
The ARRL Operating Manual (now in the 10th Edition)
http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Operating-Manual-10th-Edition/

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 3/21/2013 3:54 PM, Sandy Blaize wrote:

> Bill,
>
> AGREED! Also don’t forget about 60 meters! A lot of people miss a “good bet” to contact some of the people they usually work on 80 or 40 meters when those bands are jammed packed on weekends with contesting! Unfortunately, for the most part, you can’t work 60 with old boatanchor gear. It is even more useful now that they have allocated a “new channel 3” instead of the one that always seemed in government use.
>
> Even though there is no contesting on WARC bands, there are times the propagation isn’t right for some areas you
> normally work on 80/40/20 meters (especially 80/40 for short skip stuff). It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during the “tests”. I queried ARRL about it a couple of times. The ARRL Official Observers could be reporting those stations and times that the “violations” occurred. If you got more than say 5 contacts in the “off limits” segments, You could have you entire log disqualified. The “segments could be small, say 10-15 khz max.and leave a hole for those needing to work buddies across the continent. I didn’t even get an answer from them about this.
>
> What operating courtesy existed 20+ years ago and the use of calling protocols during CW contacts has almost ceased to exist now. Some of the “no coders” ARE trying, so it’s up to us old timers to “educate” them about on the air politeness, even if ARRL doesn’t care anymore. (They no longer put the “Operating an Amateur Station” chapter in the “Handbook” anymore!)
>
> Most of the “newbies” I have QSOed are willing to learn, but seem to be mimicking the techniques of the “hit and run” techniques used by the hard core contesters, most of which has no place in a casual polite QSO!
>
> Just my 2 cents worth from someone that’s pounded a key since 1951. All my stern “Elmers” are “SK” now I’m afraid. Sometimes they had stern words for us beginners back then.
>
> 73,
>
> Sandy W5TVW
>
> From: Bill Gerth
> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:27 AM
> To: Sandy Blaize
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??
>
> Sandy,
>
> Actually, ALL WARC BANDS (30, 17, 12 meters) are already off limits to contest activity. This is strictly enforced by contest organizers by rejecting any QSOs submitted for those bands. Although I am a contester, I don't enter every contest. The WARC bands offer a wide variety of propagation characteristics and I really enjoy using them.
>
> 73,
>
> BILL GERTH, W4RK
> Jefferson City, MO
> First Licensed 1954
> CWOPS #459
> 4 States QRP Group
> KX3 (S/N 112)
>
> On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:06 AM, Sandy Blaize wrote:
>
>
> TOO MUCH, especially on weekends! Shouldn't there be a small segment of the bands set aside for "non contest" use? Or would this be asking too much??
>
> 73,
> Sandy W5TVW
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Scott Manthe
> Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 8:05 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is ham radio a sport ??
>
> Many contesters consider contesting "radiosport."
>
> 73,
> Scott, N9AA
>
>
> On 3/20/13 8:44 PM, Paul VanOveren wrote:
>
> The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a
>
> sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it
>
> interesting reading, maybe some others will also...
>
>
>
> <
>
> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002473/index.htm
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 2641/6193 - Release Date: 03/20/13
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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>
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>

Gil G.

Re: COntest free zones (was: Is ham radio a sport ??)

On Thu, 2013-03-21 at 16:21 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> > It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off
> > limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band
> > in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during
> > the “tests”.
>
> You've got to be kidding - particularly on 80/40 meter CW and data.
> With the most recent "land grab" by phone there is less than 50 KHz
> for US data operations. On 40, the area between 7100 and 7150 is
> almost completely void of CW/RTTY contest activity even in CQWW -
> the most crowded of all contests.

[RANT]
If only the contesters would remain off QRP calling frequencies.. But
no, they park for hours on end there, calling non-stop with only two
seconds between calls.. All week-end! My hobby doesn't encroach on
theirs, why do they have to keep me off the bands? 7100-7150 free of
contests? That's news to me. I guess nobody has told these guys either..
I know, 30 and 17m... So I am pushed out of my favorite bands to others
for which I don't have an antenna set-up, and in most cases, my rigs
don't cover.. I'm not asking for much, just stay off a few frequencies..
Common decency.. [/RANT]

Can you tell I hate contests?

Gil.

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Gary Gregory-2

Re: COntest free zones (was: Is ham radio a sport ??)

Contests can often help you get that much sought after entity...:-)

73

Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3.
On 22/03/2013 6:33 AM, "Gil G." <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On Thu, 2013-03-21 at 16:21 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> > > It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off
> > > limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band
> > > in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during
> > > the “tests”.
> >
> > You've got to be kidding - particularly on 80/40 meter CW and data.
> > With the most recent "land grab" by phone there is less than 50 KHz
> > for US data operations. On 40, the area between 7100 and 7150 is
> > almost completely void of CW/RTTY contest activity even in CQWW -
> > the most crowded of all contests.
>
> [RANT]
> If only the contesters would remain off QRP calling frequencies.. But
> no, they park for hours on end there, calling non-stop with only two
> seconds between calls.. All week-end! My hobby doesn't encroach on
> theirs, why do they have to keep me off the bands? 7100-7150 free of
> contests? That's news to me. I guess nobody has told these guys either..
> I know, 30 and 17m... So I am pushed out of my favorite bands to others
> for which I don't have an antenna set-up, and in most cases, my rigs
> don't cover.. I'm not asking for much, just stay off a few frequencies..
> Common decency.. [/RANT]
>
> Can you tell I hate contests?
>
> Gil.
>
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k6dgw

Re: COntest free zones

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Actually, entire bands have been declared "contest-free" by general
agreement among hams, worldwide. 30, 17, and 12 meters have been
contest-free from their beginnings in 1979. 30 is a lot like 40, albeit
CW/RTTY/Digital-only for most of the world except Region 1 south of the
equator in places. 17 behaves a lot like 20, and 12 is a pleasant
mixture of 15 and 10, often open when 10 isn't these days. The Summits
On The Air crowd [QRP in the field] is slowly increasing usage on these
WARC bands. I'd venture a guess that if additional HF bands were ever
to be authorized, we make them contest-free too by agreement between all
of us.

When the 60 meter channels came along, they too are contest-free, and
there's no contesting in the allocations below 160, although ERP limits
at 137 KHz and likely around the Holy Frequency if that ever happens
puts a damper on contesting there anyway. :-)

All of our allocations are shared, both in the frequency domain and in
the time domain, no one has claim to any frequency. Admittedly, there
are those who don't believe that, but if you got there first and it was
empty, you have the right to use the frequency. Intentional
interference is prohibited although you'd never know that in the
14230-14236 range.

Even The Old Man was complaining about "Rotten QRM" well before anyone
at Elecraft was born. All in all, I think we share the bands pretty
well. Contests do have the distinct advantage of really populating
bands that otherwise would give regulators and those coveting yet more
spectrum the impression that our bands are unused. And yes, the ARRL
Operating Manual was separated from the Handbook when operating became
more complex and with more choices.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

On 3/21/2013 1:21 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
>> It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off
>> limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band
>> in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during
>> the “tests”.
>
> You've got to be kidding - particularly on 80/40 meter CW and data.
> With the most recent "land grab" by phone there is less than 50 KHz
> for US data operations. On 40, the area between 7100 and 7150 is
> almost completely void of CW/RTTY contest activity even in CQWW -
> the most crowded of all contests.
>
>> even if ARRL doesn’t care anymore. (They no longer put the “Operating
>> an Amateur Station” chapter in the “Handbook” anymore!)
>
> That's because it has been expanded to an entire book:
> The ARRL Operating Manual (now in the 10th Edition)
> http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Operating-Manual-10th-Edition/
>

Gary Gregory-2

Re: COntest free zones

Good analysis Fred.

73

Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3.
On 22/03/2013 8:43 AM, "Fred Jensen" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Actually, entire bands have been declared "contest-free" by general
> agreement among hams, worldwide. 30, 17, and 12 meters have been
> contest-free from their beginnings in 1979. 30 is a lot like 40, albeit
> CW/RTTY/Digital-only for most of the world except Region 1 south of the
> equator in places. 17 behaves a lot like 20, and 12 is a pleasant mixture
> of 15 and 10, often open when 10 isn't these days. The Summits On The Air
> crowd [QRP in the field] is slowly increasing usage on these WARC bands.
> I'd venture a guess that if additional HF bands were ever to be
> authorized, we make them contest-free too by agreement between all of us.
>
> When the 60 meter channels came along, they too are contest-free, and
> there's no contesting in the allocations below 160, although ERP limits at
> 137 KHz and likely around the Holy Frequency if that ever happens puts a
> damper on contesting there anyway. :-)
>
> All of our allocations are shared, both in the frequency domain and in the
> time domain, no one has claim to any frequency. Admittedly, there are
> those who don't believe that, but if you got there first and it was empty,
> you have the right to use the frequency. Intentional interference is
> prohibited although you'd never know that in the 14230-14236 range.
>
> Even The Old Man was complaining about "Rotten QRM" well before anyone at
> Elecraft was born. All in all, I think we share the bands pretty well.
> Contests do have the distinct advantage of really populating bands that
> otherwise would give regulators and those coveting yet more spectrum the
> impression that our bands are unused. And yes, the ARRL Operating Manual
> was separated from the Handbook when operating became more complex and with
> more choices.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
> - www.cqp.org
>
> On 3/21/2013 1:21 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>>
>> It would be helpful to have a small section of the bands “off
>>> limits” for contesting on the CW-data and SSB segments of each band
>>> in areas that General/Tech class people or higher could use during
>>> the “tests”.
>>>
>>
>> You've got to be kidding - particularly on 80/40 meter CW and data.
>> With the most recent "land grab" by phone there is less than 50 KHz
>> for US data operations. On 40, the area between 7100 and 7150 is
>> almost completely void of CW/RTTY contest activity even in CQWW -
>> the most crowded of all contests.
>>
>> even if ARRL doesn’t care anymore. (They no longer put the “Operating
>>> an Amateur Station” chapter in the “Handbook” anymore!)
>>>
>>
>> That's because it has been expanded to an entire book:
>> The ARRL Operating Manual (now in the 10th Edition)
>> http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-**Operating-Manual-10th-Edition/<http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Operating-Manual-10th-Edition/>
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________**______________________________**__
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> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.**htm<http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:[hidden email].**net <[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

K2GN

Re: Contest free zones

In reply to this post by k6dgw

Won't you get better participation in one on e the "Contest" forums??
This is not an Elecraft related topic.
I'm sure the contest population would have a lot to say.
I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment.
I don't care to weed through all the none Elecraft related message.
Larry/K2GN

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Jim Dunstan

Re: Is ham radio a sport ??

In reply to this post by Paul VanOveren-2

At 08:44 PM 3/20/2013, you wrote:
>The link is to a 1958 Sports Illustrated article, about Ham Radio being a
>sport. If you have seen it before, sorry for the bandwidth, but I found it
>interesting reading, maybe some others will also...

Interesting. A "sportsman" in its most general sense is someone who
as an individual or member of a group participates in an activity for
pleasure. Often (but not necessarily) these activities are athletic
in nature. A very general term having different connotations in
different contexts and times. Amateur Radio could be considered a
Sport compared to commercial radio and a Ham a 'Sportsman' as
compared to a commercial radio operator. One of the connotations of
a sportsman is that he is an "Amateur". I think this usage in this
context would be more common in the 1930's (or the 50's) than today.

Jim, VE3CI

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tnnyswy

Re: Contest free zones

In reply to this post by K2GN

EASY, Larry! Elecraft Radios do participates in Contest as well.
A little bit of tolerance with a spoon full of Sugar makes the medicine go down.

>>> I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment. <<<

So does most of us just like you do own and use Elecraft equipment.
Some only use their K3 for Contesting because of the Quality that goes into
and along with the radio.

Let us all get along.

((((73)))) Milverton.

>________________________________
> From: K2GN <[hidden email]>
>To: Elecraft <[hidden email]>
>Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 6:02 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest free zones
>
>Won't you get better participation in one on e the "Contest" forums??
>This is not an Elecraft related topic.
>I'm sure the contest population would have a lot to say.
>I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment.
>I don't care to weed through all the none Elecraft related message.
>Larry/K2GN
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: Contest free zones

I'm not a contester, but I want to know where they are, what they do,
and when I can steer clear of a contest and enjoy my KX3.

I've been licensed for a few decades, but QRP is new.

Digital modes aren't. I was on autostart in the '70's and early 80's.

-- Lynn

On 3/21/2013 5:58 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> EASY, Larry! Elecraft Radios do participates in Contest as well.
> A little bit of tolerance with a spoon full of Sugar makes the medicine go down.
>
>>>> I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment. <<<
>
> So does most of us just like you do own and use Elecraft equipment.
> Some only use their K3 for Contesting because of the Quality that goes into
> and along with the radio.
>
> Let us all get along.
>
> ((((73)))) Milverton.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> ________________________________
>> From: K2GN <[hidden email]>
>> To: Elecraft <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 6:02 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest free zones
>>
>> Won't you get better participation in one on e the "Contest" forums??
>> This is not an Elecraft related topic.
>> I'm sure the contest population would have a lot to say.
>> I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment.
>> I don't care to weed through all the none Elecraft related message.
>> Larry/K2GN
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

DBellW6AQ

Re: Contest free zones

In reply to this post by k6dgw

The contest free zones are called the WARC bands, and the KX3 operates well
on all of them.

73, Dave

In a message dated 3/21/2013 6:20:37 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:

I'm not a contester, but I want to know where they are, what they do,
and when I can steer clear of a contest and enjoy my KX3.

I've been licensed for a few decades, but QRP is new.

Digital modes aren't. I was on autostart in the '70's and early 80's.

-- Lynn

On 3/21/2013 5:58 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> EASY, Larry! Elecraft Radios do participates in Contest as well.
> A little bit of tolerance with a spoon full of Sugar makes the medicine
go down.
>
>>>> I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment. <<<
>
> So does most of us just like you do own and use Elecraft equipment.
> Some only use their K3 for Contesting because of the Quality that goes
into

> and along with the radio.
>
> Let us all get along.
>
> ((((73)))) Milverton.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> ________________________________
>> From: K2GN <[hidden email]>
>> To: Elecraft <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 6:02 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest free zones
>>
>> Won't you get better participation in one on e the "Contest" forums??
>> This is not an Elecraft related topic.
>> I'm sure the contest population would have a lot to say.
>> I joined this forum because I own and use Elecraft equipment.
>> I don't care to weed through all the none Elecraft related message.
>> Larry/K2GN
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Gary Smith-2

Re: Contest free zones

In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

For most of the contests out there I use this:

http://hornucopia.com/contestcal/weeklycont.php

Click on the contest on the left & it takes you to the info page of
the contest group.

Gary
KA1J

> I'm not a contester, but I want to know where they are, what they
> do,
> and when I can steer clear of a contest and enjoy my KX3.
>
> I've been licensed for a few decades, but QRP is new.
>
> Digital modes aren't. I was on autostart in the '70's and early
> 80's.

______________________________________________________________
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Jim Brown-10

Re: COntest free zones

In reply to this post by k6dgw

On 3/21/2013 3:42 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> Actually, entire bands have been declared "contest-free" by general
> agreement among hams, worldwide. 30, 17, and 12 meters have been
> contest-free from their beginnings in 1979.

Yes, and these bands are EXCELLENT for QRP, rag-chewing, digital modes,
and back-packing because the QRM level is usually much lower and a lot
can be done with simple antennas.

As to contesting -- the reason the bands are full during contests is
that a LOT of hams are using them, and are using them very actively. A
major contest will attract thousands of participants worldwide, and the
more serious operators will often make several thousand contacts in a
weekend with about half that many different stations.

By contrast, if you tune around the bands at times when a contest is NOT
going on and count the QSOs, you'll find a tiny fraction of that
number. I've got pretty good antennas and a fairly quiet location, and
I rarely hear more than a handful of signals at any given time on the
CW/digital portions of 160 or 80 at night or on 40 during the day, and
perhaps twice that number on 40 at night. Likewise, I often call CQ at
times when the bands are open and get no responses.

A major reason that the K3 and KX3 are so good is that the demands of
contesters drove much of the design!

73, Jim K9YC
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123