I sent this to the QST editor, the original author of the piece, and to
Dan Henderson N1ND. I've already heard from Dan, he says it was
well-written and it was correct to send it to the QST editor.
On Feb 10, 2004, at 7:10 PM, Bill Coleman wrote:
> After reading the title on page 98 of QST this month, I eagerly
> anticipated reading the article. Here, I thought, is a collection of
> tips on how to find an operating frequency during a phone contest. I
> was thinking of operating, not avoiding, the contest.
>
> Mr. Webb starts off by saying that we contestors and non-contestors
> alike need to do more than point fingers. However, in the same
> sentence he talks of contestors usurping the bands. In my dictionary,
> to usurp is to take by force without authority. In other words, he's
> pointing a finger squarely at the contestors, claiming they don't
> belong on the bands.
>
> Indeed, his proposal indicates exactly that thought -- suggesting we
> ban contestors from a substantial portion of the HF bands. I fail to
> see the balance in his proposal. Where, I ask, is the 200 kHz of
> contest-only spectrum given in return?
>
> Before we can have a constructive dialog between contestors and
> non-contestors, each much acknowledge the legitimacy of the other's
> operations. Mr. Webb has already passed judgement, seeing little worth
> in contest operation.
>
> Mr. Webb twice dismisses the value of the 30m, 17m and 12m bands,
> which are contest free. Where, I ask, is the 200 kHz of bands which
> are contest-only? Moreover, he completely skips over the 60m band,
> whose channelized nature and propagation seem tailor-made for net
> operations.
>
> While the phone bands are certainly filled to capacity during a major
> contest, the solution isn't to ban contest activity. The solution is
> for everyone to recognize the validity of each type of operation, and
> to work with courtesy and cooperation to minimize QRM during this
> time.
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>
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>
>
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
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