Wow - lots of thoughts about this - thanks.
One thing - I am not so much concerned about USA QRM and my ability to hear
the Europeans coming back to me. The bigger issue I believe is that there
are a number of wide signals in eastern Europe that fill up the 1810-1850
frequency range - and this makes it very difficult to hear my signal anywhere
in this band segment in Europe.
In general - the signals in the USA are cleaner and it is more possible to
hear a weak European signal coming in between USA signals.
Yes - this would even be better if certain geogrpahic areas could only
CQ on certain parts of the band - but I don't believe anything like
that would ever be possible.
Working simplex above 1870 is a problem because many of the European
countries do not have those frequencies available to them.
Obviosuly - this strategy only works if there is some propagation - so we
will see. But - I will consider trying it if it seems like it might be
productive. Hopefully - as a result of this discussion - there might be
a few more Europeans that work Oregon as a result.
With respect to antenna tuning - that is solely my issue. The people
calling me can continue to use their normal antenna. I would also listen
to both my CQ frequency and QSX frequency. I can do this using diversity
reception and listen with my European beverage on the QSX frequency.
Oh - and as far as causing some QRM to a European calling CQ - my response
is that "it's a contest - QRM happens" and secondly - if I can't hear that
European, then he isn't causing me any QRM. True - the station I am working
might cause QRM - but it would only be for a short period of time. This sort
of thing happens all of the time on 40 meter SSB where I "lose" my CQ
frequency because some juicy DX who can't hear me started using it for his
QSX frequency. There simply aren't any clear channels in these DX contests
- unless your call has an "8" in it and are in Africa (CN8, EA8, ZD8).
If I somehow managed to get a pileup of stations calling, then perhaps the
CQing station will have to QSY a little. However, I doubt this would ever
really happen.
One final note - if I am working someone split - it is almost required that
they send my callsign at least once - so I have some confidence that they
are really calling me. Without some kind of verification - it would be
really risky for me to put the QSO in my log.
73 Tree N6TR
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