[QCWA] 10m Intruders

[Walcott, Paul]

I was talking to a friend who's been active in the effort to protect the bottom end of 10 meters from renegade CB operation.   He's personally reported to the FCC with license plate numbers of the illegal truckers etc.  During our conversation he made two interesting observations, one of which I'm sure has at least casually run through the mind of all hams who've thought about the situation, but then another which was a new, but upon reflection, very well taken point.

First the one I'm sure we've all thought in the past:  There is no moral or FCC reason not to interfere with renegade CB operation in the 10m band.   Since they are there illegally, the renegade CB operator has NO protection under any FCC regulation or other law.  Even Riley H. from the FCC has expressed a very similar opinion.

But now, the one which I'd never thought of before:  CB operators (both the legal and the renegade variety) are used to having carriers frequently dumped on their signals.  That's just the nature of an undisciplined and overcrowded operation.  What I'd never realized was that to the untrained operator, a legal CW signal on top of the illegal CB signal is really just an interrupted carrier.  To them it's simply no big deal.   What's both legal and much more disturbing and disruptive to the illegal operation is a RTTY signal.  It's a wider signal, it has changing tones which are much more disruptive than carrier and it's still completely legal in the CW band.   

Only one word of warning:  While I'd be all in favor of RTTY operation on top of any illegal CB operations, don't, DON'T do so in a way that enables the renegade CB operator to know who you are (if the renegade is your neighbor for example).   These people have already shown severe disrespect for FCC rules and regulations.   What's to make us think that they would have any more respect for the laws regarding vandalism and or assault?

73's,
Paul
WD8H