GA DR PIERRE,
I think this is a very interesting idea. I'll share some thoughts on your proposal and hope it may gain some traction.
Have you had a look at this Clubs list which lists various Centre of Activity frequencies on 30m from various CW clubs? Of course, these are not calling frequencies as such, and QSOs take place there. But it serves as a useful purpose in trying to determine which frequency could be used as a general 30m Calling Frequency (standby frequency).
I like your idea very much because I think it would greatly help with activity because many of us indeed are building rigs and doing other things around the shack, and having a frequency to listen to that will have short calls from time to time, would be very useful.
I think the idea too of not actually using it to call CQ directly, is a good one, so that it's concept can be properly understood and embraced. QTT G4OJW QTX or DE G4OJW QTX could suffice, to indicate, from time to time, listening, or indeed making a direct call to someone.
For anyone who is old enough to remember, and used to listen on, 500 kc/s, this idea will be welcome. The way 500 kHz operated for ships and coastal stations was very similar. It was used for direct calling, and announcing QTC or WX reports, navigation warnings etc, always with a QSY to indicated frequency. NO QSO every took place.
At 15 minutes and 45 minutes past every hour, in addition, was "Silence Period" (SP) for 3 minutes, during which time only SOS could be sent (in case a ship far away was calling for help and drowned out by the very busy number of calls going on). At the end of each SP there was then a flurry of calls. It was a wonderful frequency to listen to. The AM/SSB equivalent was 2182 kHz which had a SP on the hour and half hour again for 3 minutes.
We could adopt a similar approach to any agreed "QTX" frequency, perhaps every quarter hour that during those 3 minutes 4 times per hour only QRP stations can announce themselves?
If this idea is agreed by enough of us and adopted then it can be publicised among various CW clubs and publications, with some simple guidelines as e.g. per above suggested.
So, if this idea is to be tried out, which is the frequency that should be proposed?
There are a few thoughts regarding this:
1. 30m is a secondary band and we're not to cause QRM to primary users. However, I note that there are not many active on 30m, and so most of the CW frequencies are free for us most of the time. However, there should be a "secondary" frequency for "QTX" for when the primary is occupied by e.g. a QSO from those who aren't aware of the guideline (and we could not force any to follow it, just as little as 10116 is exclusive to QRP).
2. The frequency should be one that is actually having more of a chance of being unused and from our existing monitoring of 30m, we could say that the bottom few kHz are very little used (with 10100.8 centre frequency of DDK9 being in use 24/7/365. E.g. 10102.5 could be one idea. However, this is to the bottom end of the band, and most non-5NN-TU activities, and also resonant magnetic loops, are likely tuned to the higher end above 10116.
3. In my view the area from 10116 to 10126 is prime area for non-5NN-TU type activities and many Clubs have their CoA around there. So which frequencies in that range are not used? 10121 isn't used by any CW clubs, the only one with a "round kHz" i.e. ending in .0.
4. In my view a primary and secondary frequency, one should end in .0 and one in .5, because then the "up 1" and "down 1" or "up 5" etc, are not likely to land on the other QTX frequency.
5. Because most activity takes place on frequencies ending with .0 due to the psychological factor of tuning to a round kHz, in my view the PRIMARY QTX frequency should end with the .5, and thus a secondary frequency with .0.
6. I'm leaning towards (1) 10122.5, 10123.0, 10123.5 or (2) 10120.5, 10121.0, 10121.5. My thinking on these two proposed options follows.
7. 10122.5 is in NYC claimed to be used as an Emergency frequency, but in actual fact is not likely active. But having lots of people QSX on such a frequency would be a bonus in the event of any emergency. When then in use from emergency, the secondary frequency should be used.
8. 10123.0 is the Primary MORSE (Marine Operators Radio SErvice) frequency! These former 500 kc/s Radio Officers would absolutely understand the use of such a frequency and assist in its establishment for QTX activity. Using this as primary could then be a good idea. But it is also actively used by BUG group.
9. 10123.5 is not claimed a CoA by any Clubs, nor are 10120.5 and 10121.0. 10121.5 is used by SideSwipers Club.
10. This leads me to the following conclusions between 2 proposed options:
(1) 10123 could be used as Primary QTX (however, given that this is also used by BUG Club when busy, 10122.5 be used, and if that too is busy, then 10123.5. This way all are within 1kHz and so easily tuned to in the event of QRM. The downside is that these are actively used, and expecting a new "use" may not be so readily accepted by the BUG Group, though perhaps by MORSE as former radio sparks.
(2) 10120.5 being a half kHz, and the first half kHz above 10120 (the default startup for ALL QCX rigs) is very unlikely to be in use, and "UP 1", "UP 5" etc easy to calculate. Secondary could be 10121.0.
(3) Or any other proposed combinations.
An advantage of having primary and secondary close to each other, is the easy to move the RX in the event of the frequency being in use. A disadvantage is that if there is wide-band QRM signal, it is likely to cover both adjacent frequencies.
(4) A fourth option is to adopt the "QTT" idea of activity frequencies, and actually change the QSX/QTX frequency based on the UTC date, perhaps adding 0.5 kHz to the date. And if QRM, moving just above the QRM. So e.g. today is the 23rd, the QSX/QTX frequency would be 10123.5kHz. Advantages of this is that any longer-term QRM would not be a problem, and the entire CW band between 10101.5 and 10131.5 get used throughout the month, and being on .500 Hz is a recognition of "500 kHz" memory, and also less likely to hit on being in use, and QTT already encourages this system for non-5NN-TU QSO and activities. Disadvantages is that one has to look at the date, and in UTC, and adjust the frequency to standby on, accordingly.
Edit: just now tuning across 30m, indeed the .0kHz are being used, not the .5: 10105.0, 106.0, 109.0, 110.0 115.0, 116.0, 119.0, 120.0, 121.0, 122.0, 123.0, 124.0!!! 12 frequencies being used, and all on .0kHz.
What do you and others think about the above responses to your idea?
Also note that in VK there was a very successful application of a similar idea, see here: www.vkcw.net/7050 — however, it was also used for CQ. I think your modified idea, and perhaps along with my above suggestions, could make this even more successful.
As far as I understand it, 7050 although it took off well and was used for many years (2016-2018?) its use may have fallen off. The factors, as I understand it for the fall-off in activity were the following:
1. VK is a large country. 40m only offers good propagation paths in the South Eastern states.
2. There was a division between hams in VK among those considering themselves professionals and "above others" ("FOC types") who wanted 7025 to be the calling frequency. However, they used 7025 for nets, and QSOs, so it would not have been appropriate to use that.
3. The others ("SOC types") gravitated to 7050.
4. 7050 was well out of the usual range of CW activity on 40m in VK: 7010-7030. Thus it was a bit far to tune up perhaps.
None of the above negative factors would impact our idea for 30m Pierre.
So I think you may be onto something here.
Also, what to call it? QSX/QTX frequency?