[NLRS] Suggested FM Simplex Freqs For Radio Contesting

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

446.025 is a coordinated 1200 baud packet frequency in Iowa. And the Des 
Moines bbs at least bleats beacons on that frequency. I haven't hooked 
up a TNC lately to see if hears. 446.125 is 9600 baud.

6M FM has so low a population that using convenient (to the dialed up 
radio) frequencies next to the calling frequency will probably work. 
Just few fit in the official band plan.

Now Doug is that sitting there with the squelch closed listening to one 
or a few frequencies for a new call really contesting?

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 12/14/2012 2:13 PM, Doug Reed wrote:
>
>
> 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.
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