I figured that QRM was a HUGE problem on the east side of the country, Paul,
and the major reason why they couldn't hear my peanut whistle signal!!
I agree that the Top Band contests during December are a bit much BUT I'm in
them 'cuz I need about 10 states for QRP WAS on 160 - mostly east coast states
- so thought I'd participate this year (haven't been in the ARRL event for a
year and glad to get on Top Band more) but...not successful this year.
Wouldn't you know it - one of the states needed is ME! Hah
Thanks for taking the time to "clarify" things, a little, for us peanut whistle
generators out here in s/w Utah
> Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 08:40:47 -0500
> From: paul@n1bug.com
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: My take on ARRL 160
>
> I've decided to put my oar in the water regarding the comments on
> ARRL 160. I didn't operate this year but it is my favorite 160
> contest and the only one I would seriously enter.
>
> Why? Because mostly it does end up being a domestic contest and I
> have some chance of being competitive with my modest station and
> limited real estate. There is no way on Earth I could ever be
> competitive in the DX contests but I can in ARRL 160. I do
> understand about it being unfair to the rest of the world and
> especially U.S. territories. In addition I am increasingly of the
> opinion having so many contests is unfair to a great many people. I
> love a good contest, but I don't think we need one nearly every
> weekend during the topband "season" in the northern hemisphere.
>
> As for not being heard... here in the northeast, QRM is INCREDIBLE
> in ARRL 160. It is a very popular contest and let's face it, there
> just isn't enough useful spectrum. Even people who normally hear
> very well may be challenged in this one.
>
> We cannot pause for more than a couple seconds between CQs or some
> big gun will try to take over our run frequency and refuse to move.
> Callers need to be quick.
>
> I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting on frequency.
> Make sure you can zero beat and get EXACTLY on frequency of the
> station you are calling. It is amazing to me how many people cannot
> seem to do that. I always have callers 200 and even 300 Hz high and
> low, and then they wonder why I don't hear them. I don't hear them
> because 200 to 300 Hz away is someone else's run frequency and I am
> forced to use a 200 Hz filter with very steep skirts. That is how
> crowded the band is during this contest. It does no good for me to
> tune for off frequency callers. A distant caller who is S5 but
> insists on calling under another running station who is S9+20 or
> more is not likely to be heard. At least not by me!
>
> Those are my comments. I'll go back to being silent now.
>
> 73,
> Paul N1BUG
>
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
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