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Ham Radio – Dangerous Rules For The Wisconsin QSO Party?

March 15, 2009

Just about anyone in ham radio would probably believe that the people that rank the best in the Wisconsin QSO Party are probably pretty good ham radio operators. These are active, involved hams that probably have good equipment and good operating techniques and that helps them make the most contacts. Sure – spending the hours also helps. I argue that they, along with the administrators of the Wisconsin QSO Party may be dangerous operators. Here’s why…

I received an e-mail telling me good luck in the contest and advising the people the e-mail was sent to that we should stay off the national calling frequencies during the contest. At the same time, I listened to some chatter on two meters. “What are some good frequencies to get some contacts for the Wisconsin QSO Party?”. “Start with the national calling frequencies…” was the standard reply that I heard. The e-mail that I received stated that the General Rules for ARRL Contests on Bands Above 50 MHz actually prohibited operating contests on these frequencies. The e-mail said that this was out of concern for safety. The idea is that if these frequencies are jammed with contesters then someone with emergency traffic would not be able to get through. You can find the ARRL quote here: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-vhf.html

I went to the Wisconsin QSO Party rules website and checked to see what they actually had to say about the matter. Here’s the link: http://www.warac.org/wqp/2009/wiqp_rules.htm They were silent on the matter. Also, I could not find anything on the website that said that it was an ARRL sponsored event. So much for the letter of the law. To the spirit of the law, the West Allis Radio Amateur Club states on the Wisconsin QSO Party website that they are a non-profit EDUCATIONAL organization.

I suggest that the West Allis Radio Amateur Club do some valuable education. I think there should be specific wording in the rules advising people to stay off of the national calling frequencies. I also suggest that club leaders and good hams do the same.

As a side note, I was told on the local YoYo net (2 meters, Northeastern Wisconsin) that I was wrong when I said, “Good luck to everyone in the contest this weekend!”. The person explained that this was a “party” and NOT a contest. I checked back in and explained that I thought that the event awarded points for performance and that there was going to be a published list of the number of points scored and that was the reason I used the term “contest”. The net control operator asked for an official opinion and was told that it was actually both. Sigh…

Stay radio active!

Jon Kreski, AB9NN
http://www.HamRadioResources.com

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About the author

AB9NN (Jon Kreki) is an Extra Class ham radio operator and Auditor / Financial Analyst. Jon loves HF mobile as well as 2 meters. Jon is a trained severe storm spotter, active ARES / RACES and Skywarn member in Outagamie County (Appleton, Wisconsin) area. Jon's lovely wife is Jane, KD8KRS!
www.hamradioresources.com