[NLRS] Suggested FM Simplex Freqs For Radio Contesting

[Doug Reed]

I would make a few changes to the list and also mark some primary 
frequencies*:

w0zq at aol.com wrote:
> List of Suggested FM Simplex Frequencies For Contesting
 >
> 6M:  My concern is what happens in a big E opening as to where do
> people expand above or below 52.525 ?
 > How many more simplex channels are there above/below 52.525?
 > Is 15 KHz "hops" to the next open channel to call CQ right?
> 52.510 52.525 52.540

 From Jerry's list use 52.525* and 52.54. If they came out of the ARRL 
Repeater Directory, then it is the national bandplan. Still may not be 
valid in all locations, but it has a better chance. Unless there is a 
heck of an opening, the second frequency will not be needed.

> 2M:  Avoid 145.520 and stay with 30 KHz spacing.
146.460 146.490 146.550 146.580
>
> 223: 223.500 223.520 223.540

Specify 223.500* as primary and the others as secondary. There will be 
so little activity on 223.5 FM that secondary frequencies should not be 
needed in most areas. I wonder why they didn't designate 223.520 as 
National Simplex?

> 440:   Need to be careful due to usage for repeater links.
>445.975 446.000 446.025

I'd stay with just 446.000* or possibly add 446.025 but that is local 
option. On FM the UHF simplex range is seldom more than about 30 miles 
so more frequencies is counter-productive. And again, I don't believe 
the adjacent frequencies are part of the national bandplan which would 
also make them local option only.
--------------------

To me, there is a basic difference between SSB contesting and FM 
contesting. With SSB contesting, you really have to be playing with the 
radio all the time, tuning around and looking for stations spread over 
at least 100KHz of spectrum. You really need to be active and involved 
in the contest. It is difficult to be doing anything else.

But for FM contesting, I feel it is much more laid back, and very 
suitable for doing something else while monitoring one or more 
frequencies (put the radio on scan) while doing something else. As I 
recall, there were seldom so many stations calling that you couldn't all 
work the new guy and then move to the next band as a group, much the 
same way we work the 10GHz rover pack. It was a problem if you were 
trying to work a weak station outside your area, but most of the time 
the other ops would hear you calling someone they couldn't hear, and 
standby while you worked them.

I liked to tell people, get on FM simplex during the contest, throw out 
your call with CQ Contest, and feel like a DX station for a few minutes. 
There were usually plenty of people monitoring the simplex frequencies 
and when a new call appeared it was like feeding time in the shark tank.

But I know that what I liked best was just reading a book or working on 
a project while the radio was low in the background and I just listened 
for a call I hadn't heard yet..... I could be a bit insulting and say 
that the people who perch on the SSB calling frequency for the duration 
of the contest are the same people who would be happier on FM.

I expect the only way I'd be happier is if there were a lot of people 
using PSK31 or another digital mode during the contest..... That would 
make it worth while to setup a PropNET-PSK31 station on 6M with the 
robot mode active..... Let it make a few contacts if the band is open 
and active....

73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.