Dxpeditions using 50.110MHZ as a working frequency

[VK4WDM]

Tonight I was told to stop calling CQ DX on 50.110MHZ by several JA stations (one very rudely) because the frequency was in use by XU7TZG.

This is not the first time this has happened, and there seems to be trend for DXpedition stations to use 50.110MHZ as working frequency and causing huge pileups.

The idea of a calling frequency, which .110 is by international agreement, is to make initial contact then move away to a nominated working frequency. Some dxpeditions do this, often nominating their working frequency in advance. Others don't and they are annoying, especially at this time of the year which is prime time for DX beyond Asia. Given the state of the sun spot cycle this is unlikely, but it is not zero, and the calling frequency needs to be kept as clear as possible, then everyone has a chance of snaring a new one!

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK5TM]

Interesting what the WIA thinks is the calling frequency on 6m (from tomorrows broadcast):

CALLING FREQUENCIES
Please QSY off the calling frequency after establishing communication.

Australian voice calling frequencies:
3.650, 7.090, 14.190, 21.190, 28.590, 52.160

World CW calling frequencies:
3.570, 7.030, 14.060, 18.080, 21.140, 24.910, 28.180, 50.160

World voice calling frequencies:
3.690 & 3.940 MHz, 7.090 & 7.190, 14.290, 18.140, 21.360,
24.960, 28.390, 50.160

[VK3YE]

Interesting what the WIA thinks is the calling frequency on 6m (from tomorrows broadcast):

Terry, while the text can be misconstrued (due to the headings) I suspect that these frequencies are purely recommendations for scout stations (JOTA being not far off). It's clearer on the scouts page at http://www.sresu.asn.au/jota/jota-calling-frequencies

[VK5TM]

Hi Peter.

This always confuses me, as the WIA put this list in just about every news broadcast and yet there are other discussions here about using .110 or .120 as the calling frequency on 6m.

[VK3MIX]

I cant even use 50MHz and I thought it has always been .110

The WIA Bandplan lists 50.110 as the International DX calling frequency

[VK4WDM]

The internationally-accepted calling frequency as listed in the WIA call book is 50.110MHZ (Americans also use 50.120MHZ). I believe that Peter VK3YE is correct when he suggested that the other list is only for JOTA.

PLEASE don't use this a spring-board for a discussion on the merits/de-merits of calling frequencies. This has been done to death in other threads and another argument will drive us

The problem addressed in this thread was a dxpedition creating pile up on and around 50.110MHZ that tied it up for hours on end making it impossible for any other DX to be heard. This was very unfortunate because band conditions, supported by reception of a possible middle east beacon (see my thread in propagation forum) and WSPR reports, suggested that DX paths outside the region were open.

Hopefully other dxpeditions will avoid using .110 as working frequency.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK3ZAZ]

Frequency was in use

They whinge if you go too far up cos everyone is rock bound on 110.
Where is your dial right now?




50.110

[VK4WDM]

Hi Steve

I agree, you have got to tune the band and I have worked some rare ones away from the calling frequency, BUT you will agree that for the last couple of cycles at least, MOST of the DX is first heard on 50.110 which is why we have it as a calling frequency.

I am fairly certain that the band was open to to the west and northwest the night in question, but the guys over there would not have known that there was a pileup on 50.110 and would have called there, and expected to hear calls there, so we all missed out.

73

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK4WDM]

I have just been corrected on the North American SSB Calling Frequency it is 50.125MHZ but they will often call on 50.110.

Wayne VK4WDM

[VK3ZAZ]

work dx where I find it
mainly below 110 on cw between 107 and 099

Nev VK2QF had brilliant strategy going to 107.1 in CY23
got him dxcc cos people pissed off with qrm on 110 would find him just down a tad


People this cycle seem more obsessed than ever before
seem to be logged on here 18 hours a day chasing the holy grail

[VK2JDH]

This is not the first time this has happened, and there seems to be trend for DXpedition stations to use 50.110MHZ as working frequency and causing huge pileups.

To me that seems bad operator practice by the DXpedition.

Sure announce every now and then on 110 the DXpedition is operating up 10 or something like that.

[VK4WDM]

People this cycle seem more obsessed than ever before
seem to be logged on here 18 hours a day chasing the holy grail

Steve, I have been on 6m almost as long as you have and I would gently suggest that we used to be just as obsessed at monitoring 28.885MHZ for 6m openings as ops are now about monitoring 50.110MHZ

73

Wayne VK4WDM