I’ve been whining about the fact that for many years the 2m FM calling frequency, 146.52 MHz, was prohibited for use in VHF contests and Field Day. See The One Frequency You Should Never Use on Field Day. Well, the ARRL removed this restriction in 2015, so that issue has been resolved.
The CQ WW VHF contest also prohibited the use of 146.52 MHz, and up until now stuck with it. During the reconfiguration of this contest into two separate contests: analog contest (CW/SSB/FM) and digital contest (FT8, FT4, etc.), the 146.52 rule was dropped. The rules now say:
Use of commonly recognized repeater frequencies is prohibited. Recognized FM simplex frequencies such as 146.49, .52, .55, and .58, and local-option simplex channels may be used for contest purposes.
Of course, this change is only relevant to the analog contest, as FM is not allowed in the digital contest.
This is a relatively minor change, not earth-shattering at all, but it cleans up an outdated rule in the CW WW VHF contest. This eliminates the need for me to explain to new VHF contesters that you can’t use the calling frequency.
73 Bob K0NR