I have to concur with Mike here, 7.118 seems to be a defacto centre of SOTA SSB activity. 14.285/18.145 sound a good starting point. 15/12/10 are activated so infrequently it’s hard to recommend anything other than in the vicinity of QRP SSB frequencies. Self spotting, if you can, will make it all moot!
In reply to M0KCB:
In the case of 40 metres, 7.118 is widely used - in Europe. This, however, is a poor choice if you aspire to work into the States since their bandplan is written into the licence and they can’t use phone on that frequency. The lower limit is 7.125 for Extra class and 7.175 for General class licences.
On 20 metres US hams tend to activate at the top of the band, above 14.325, they will call activations on 14.285 but I think the chasers probably spend more time tuning the top end!
In reply to G8ADD:
14.285 is not a good frequency stateside - there are often US nets on that frequency. I often hear European activators on that freq but don’t call out of courtesy to the nets.
On a similar note, activators using 28MHz SSB & wishing to work worldwide may wish to work above 28.500 as certain regions / countries restrict stations with lower (by licencing structure)classes of licence from working in certain sections of the various amateur bands.
Also, bear in mind that in certain areas, the relevant band plan is mandatory, & not just a “gentleman’s agreement” as it seems to be treated in EU.
In short, do your homework before expecting calls from chasers on frequencies they cannot use.
On a similar note, activators using 28MHz SSB & wishing to work
worldwide may wish to work above 28.500 as certain regions / countries
restrict stations with lower (by licencing structure)classes of
licence from working in certain sections of the various amateur bands.
The Technician licence in the USA only permits phone operation between 28.300 and 28.500, AFAIK that is the only phone allocation they have on the HF bands. I found this by accident, I didn’t use to tune down that far!
This weekend the Worked All Europe DX Contest (SSB) is buzzing on the air.
According to the rules (and IARU 1 bandplan):
According to IARU recommendations operation should be avoided outside contest-"preferred segments. No operation to take place on:
I know most actications stateside are on 14300-14350 kHz, But few (to none?) european activations.
Is there a license-restricion on these frequenzies in many (european)countries?
Planning a little SOTA tomorrow, and dont want to be squeezed between QRO stations. I have been listening to the 300-350 segment, and there is little acticity there.
In reply to N1EU:
Hello Barry, I look always for you, but no good cdx. You reached me when I was on a OZ Summit. 14285 is normally qrp frequency I also work Sota on these fr, because many stations listening here. W stations make sometimes a sotaspot on frequencys higher then 7200, in Europe its not ham band between 7200 and 7300.
In reply to N1EU:
Hello Barry, I look always for you, but no good cdx.
Thanks for trying Holger. It seems that the time of day that I usually activate (~1400Z) often doesn’t have good propagation to Europe because I work VERY few Europeans. I always thought I would be working more European callers but no luck.
To repeat what I said on nasota, the remedy is to either flip to LSB, or to go down three, or to bake cookies for the nice man from telephone and telegraph who is knocking on your door.
.
Elliott, K6ILM
Chaser Clown