[NLRS] Calling frequencies

[Russell]

I also have one small point, if you are using 2 meters as a liason frequency for higher bands please higher or lower not 5 up or down from the calling frequency. The week signals stations calling cq get obliterated.
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-----Original Message-----
From: jcplatt1 at mmm.com

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:40:05 
To: <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [NLRS] Calling frequencies





Here is my 2 bits worth .... ok, maybe 1.2 bits worth with the stock market
crunch.

Its a contest.  The calling frequency is indeed a calling frequency, not a
listening frequency.  We should be delighted that we have this discussion
at all because large parts of the country don't have activity even on
50.125 nor 144.200 !   I think its fine to pound 50.125 and 144.200 with
activity.

But, while it is indeed a contest, that doesn't mean there is license to
set aside good operating practices.  When we do call CQ on 50.125 or
144.200, stop to think that there are probably a dozen other stations that
are listening to you right now - in other words the calling freq should not
be monopolized as it is truly a shared space.  Be aware that if you happen
to raise some fresh meat while CQing on 144.200 or 50.125 that other
stations will most likely want to work that fresh meat too and that you
should comply as it is the calling freq, not your run freq.

If you want to sit on a run freq and call CQ for a while (like I do from
time to time), move up or down 10 to 30 KHz and start CQing.  Sunday
afternoon when things are slow I will move to 144.180 or 144.190 and push
the auto-CQ button.  Its been my experience that most of my best DX comes
from listening and calling CQ OFF OF 144.200.  I call CQ for a while, then
tune up to the rover freq's to see whats happening tuning by 144.200 to
check it out, then back down the band to call CQ some more.

In summary, its a contest, .... go nuts, have fun, throw some RF out there,
just don't totally set aside good operating practices.  If 144.200 or
50.125 is open by all means call CQ for a while (but not all day !).  It
would be nice to see even more locals call CQ there .... too many guys are
just listening and not enough are calling CQ.  Drum up some activity if you
can by making some noise.   If you get a pile-up going because you are
fresh meat, it would be best to QSY up or down the band from the calling
freq 20 to 40 KHz (not 5) like W0IS suggested .... ya know, .... good
operating habits.

If 144.200 is a zoo, tune up or down 10 to 30 KHz and call CQ ... its a big
band and I know my rig has not one, but TWO vfos.  With SDRs becoming more
common, someone will see you, but only if a) we move off of 144.200 and b)
we call CQ.

My 1.2 bits worth ... and dropping ....

73, Jon
W0ZQ

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