[FQP]FQP Mobile Frequency Dilemma

[ku8e at bellsouth.net]

Ron,

 I have always had pretty good luck hanging out about .050 above the bottom of each of the CW bands. It seems a fixed station always grabs the suggested frequencies any way...

                    Jeff

> 
> From: Ron Wetjen <wd4ahz at gte.net>
> Date: 2004/04/07 Wed AM 10:04:31 EDT
> To: FQP <fqp at kkn.net>
> Subject: [FQP]FQP Mobile Frequency Dilemma
> 
> Several folks have suggested, we set aside "mobile only" frequencies for 
> the FQP mobiles.  Obviously, the folks in Florida usually can't hear 
> each other, so there is always the possibility of folks ending up on top 
> of each other.
> 
> The log checking process, points out the "not in log" scenario of 
> exactly this happening.  Someone thinks they are working one station, 
> when in fact, that station is working someone else.
> 
> The "suggested" FQP frequencies are:
> 
> CW - plus or minus 35 khz up
> Phone - plus or minus 7.260, 14.260, 21.335, and 28.485 MHz.
> 
> (and these are not perfect ... 7.035 MHz is the middle of the digital 
> band in Europe, for example)
> 
> "Suggested" frequency means this is the "middle" frequency ... and one 
> should tune up and down from this point to find stations ... NOT have 
> everyone park on this frequency and call CQ!  (That's why we added "plus 
> and minus").  It also means, folks trying to work Florida don't have to 
> tune the entire band to find activity ... it will be concentrated around 
> the "suggested" frequencies.
> 
> I have NO idea how the band sounds from outside of Florida.  Are all the 
> Florida guys pretty much packed in together?  How "wide" is the 
> activity?  Do we need to specify a "range" of frequencies, instead of 
> just one "suggested" frequency?  Is there enough activity to get rid of 
> a frequency limit all together, and would that spread folks out more ... 
> but not enough to "tick off" the non-contesters or interfere with other 
> operating events - other contests, submarines, etc., etc.?
> 
> At one point, we stated in the rules to leave the "suggested frequency" 
> open for mobile stations.  This lead to three problems.  Some home 
> stations ignored this, many mobiles didn't stray far from the 
> "suggested" frequency, and the rule was pretty much unenforceable, so it 
> was removed.
> 
> With the popularity of the FQP, and at the suggestions of some folks, 
> maybe it's time to revisit the idea of setting aside a specific portion 
> for mobiles.
> 
> So, with about 2 1/2 weeks to go before the FQP, I propose the following 
> "experiment" for this years FQP, to try to help the mobiles and those 
> chasing them.  Using the "suggested" frequencies as a guide, I propose 
> that mobile stations work frequencies BELOW the "suggested" frequency, 
> and home stations work ABOVE the suggested frequency.  This will help 
> separate the mobile and home station activity, and for 40 CW, it may 
> help take the mobiles out of the European digital QRM, and not move them 
> up into the SSB portion ... figuring home stations have a better chance 
> of overcoming the QRM.
> 
> Does this sound like something that might be workable, at least as an 
> "experiment" for this year?  Does anyone else have another idea or 
> suggestion?  If it's successful and works, then we can add this to the 
> rules next year (too late for this year).
> 
> I realize it's going to be hard to get the word out to everyone in this 
> short amount of time, but quite a few, if not most, of the serious 
> competitors (mobile and home stations), are subscribed to either the FQP 
> or FCG reflector, so they'll get the word.  I'll also post the 
> "proposal" (or any suggested and agreed upon alternative) on the FQP Web 
> site, to help spread the word there.
> 
> Any thoughts or additional suggestions?
> 
> Thanks, Ron  WD4AHZ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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