Contest rules changing to allow use of 146.52

This is a really bad idea.... 


From The ARRL Letter for October 22, 2015‏:

The EC took note of the Programs & Services Committee (PSC) endorsement of a VHF and Above Revitalization Committee recommendation to end the prohibition to contest use of 146.52 MHz, the traditional 2 meter FM simplex "calling channel." Advance notification of the rule change has been communicated to the full Board, and the change will take effect in 2016, starting with the January VHF Contest.

• The simplex channel, 146.52, has always been a quiet watering hole for conversations during active contests.  That will be less possible if there are contests using the channel.
• It's good for hams at home and mobile to monitor the radio, usually 146.52, all the time.  A weekend of contest chaos blasting from a normally quiet radio will result in those radios being turned off - and probably not turned back on.
• The idea of Priority Tone 123.0 Hz use on 146.52 won't necessarily be affected by this.  Or even worse totally cluttered if somebody makes contest contacts with tone enabled.
• Summits on the Air (SOTA) activity is picking up and they make good use of 146.52.
• Contest folks NEED a calling channel on VHF two meters.  Some don't operate because they don't know where they should go.  That's easy to fix without cluttering 146.52 - use 146.55 for the contest calls.
• Contests need more activity.  Ham Radio needs more activity.   A different tweak to the operations would, in my opinion, get more folks on the air.  To Be Posted Soon...