[Wswss] VHF contest operating etiquette

[Neil Jessen]

This 144.200 problem will exist forever, until there is no one left who 
will make a contest QSO on 144.200. The ARRL should make it a rule that no 
contest QSO's can be made on 144.200.  Until then, this problem will be 
fruitlessly bitched about every year at contest time.

I don't care if there is weak, long haul DX on the frequency, the weak DX 
is a ding-dong for trying to make the QSO on 144.200.  When he is heard on 
.200, he should have the station QSY to another frequency far away from 
144.200.  If the DX moves, then there will be no one who is using the 
"calling frequency" to make calls (go figure) to interrupt someone who is 
attempting to make a QSO where they shouldn't.  Yeah, I know that people 
who live in the boondocks are forced to use 144.200 because they are 
geographically handicapped, but that is no excuse to try to use the calling 
frequency to make the QSO.  If you heard the DX station long enough to hear 
his call and/or grid, then he is in there good enough to have the DX move 
up or down the band.  Every year that I operate the contest, there are 
LIDS, or dummies, or dorks, or whatever you want to call them, that never, 
ever get off the calling frequency.  There are many stations in every 
contest that I hear countless times on the calling frequency, whom never 
make it in my log because they will not QSY off the calling frequency to 
make a contact with me.  I know that they have heard me announce that I am 
listening up and when I get there I expect them to call and they never 
moved off the calling frequency.  Makes me think that some people are still 
using radios that are crystal controlled and they only have one channel.

I also agree with the problem of moving around to different bands.  Being a 
rover most of the contests, I have experienced this problem countless 
times.  I admit that when I first started with the multi-band rovering that 
I was guilty of switching bands before I worked everyone.  With experience, 
I now do my very best to work everyone on the frequency before I go to 
another band.  Of course there are exceptions to that as when another rover 
is going to move to a different grid or something, then I will have the 
people on the freq wait and then come right back.  But that is rare.  Even 
as a rover I am on the other end of this problem.  I will hear someone in a 
grid that I need and before I can get through, some dummy tells him to move 
to another band.  Doesn't this dummy who is asking him to move hear that 
there are still plenty of people on this frequency calling him?

If you are reading this message try to go the entire contest without making 
a QSO on the calling frequency.  If everyone does this, maybe it will work 
a little better.  I know it's a pipe dream, but it's worth a try.  Think 
about it... you will actually be able to hear those weak DX stations out in 
those grids you need and be able to get them to move up to a clear 
frequency to make the contact.  And remember, this is supposed to be 
fun.  If these contests are really driving your blood pressure up, then 
maybe you ought to shut off the radio and go watch the TV or something that 
is a little more fun.  Take a breather and then come back and take another 
run at it.

Well now you have my two cents worth.  I hope everyone has a good contest.

73,
Neil - N6VHF