Recently, I often come across strange operators of two genres when I call CQ.
The first is those who send "?" as soon as I finish calling CQ. It might mean they could not get my call, so that they want me to repeat my call. Or do they want to know if I am calling CQ. Unfortunately, even if I call CQ again, they always won't give me a call. They should listen to me patiently until I repeat CQ. Their "?" could disturb me copying the others' weak signal on the background. I often ask those what "?" means etc. But I never get any replies from them. I am afraid they have too much "?" in their brain and may need consultation to a shrink head doctor.
The other genre is those who start a QSO before I reply to them. This kind of busters is not proliferating so much yet. However, I have never encountered those for my experience on the radio for over half a century. He/she always courteously begins a QSO in ordinary manner. When I am psychologically ready to do with such people, I am courteous enough to reply him/her as if there was nothing unusual going on. I am inclined, however, not to answer those operators. Because starting a QSO in this manner may convince them that this style is valid. It could disturb the CQ caller's activity.
I know those won't bear evil will toward me. They still commit mistakes and disturb the normal formality in CW operation. It won't be my intention to hurt them but I won't reply to them at all for now.
Strange operating seems to be more the norm. Tonight, I called CQ on 30 meters. I typically call three CQ's, followed by three call signs. I do that twice and listen. In the middle of that, my QSK delay drops out and I hear a call sign. A K7 call sign. On my frequency, not my call sign, just the K7 call sign. So, I pause, send the call sign and mine, ask him if he is calling me. Sure enough, he was calling me. He gives me his name, signal report and location. I respond. Then, he says good bye. I have never seen such a procedure. I made notes in my logbook accordingly. I do not understand people who will not talk to you.
ReplyDeleteIt is a new kind of busters, whom I have never met yet? Or do they recognize you are on QSK?
DeleteAs contesting becomes the preferred operating activity the art of a conversational CW QSO has diminished. I was thinking that perhaps we should pretend we are computers to get operator interest:
ReplyDelete"My name is Bill, my IP address is 255.22.33, I have 16GB RAM and a zillion TB of storage"
Enough ranting....73, Bill
Funny, Bill. Contest numbers or area codes for awards are almost identical to those computer/internet data. Totally meaningless to those who have the ordinary people.
DeleteStrange! I do get the occasional "?" But fortunately not the other sort. I do not think this problem is related to contests, however. Love 'em or hate 'em, the bands are very dead during non- contest weekends. Shin, I'm starting the station repairs. Hope to at least get on 40 (with the small Yagi) and 15. Will be looking for you. Jim.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder how contesting activity is related with this poor activity on the bands on plain non contesting days. Contests have positive or negative effect on the overall activities. Even though I am not hostile to contesters etc, this may deserve attention. I am keeping fingers crossed for the recovery of your set up soon. Looking forward to hearing your vivid fist again soon. Shin
DeleteShin San, I recently had this happen in about the same way to me. Also I am finding that many of the newer breed of hams do not want to bother with using their call sign and mine at the end and beginning of each transmission. I ask one about this, and he said they do not exchange call signs on voice every time they say something! Which is true but I seldom use voice on ham radio and when I do it is brief and I always use the call sign exchange! The "?" has been used on what appears to be a clear channel
ReplyDeleteprior to "QRL?" before calling CQ. But like you I do not think it is a good operating practice and I will not use that method for my QSO's.....
Bob Gates W7AYN
Bob,
DeleteWhenever I hear someone sending "?" for "QRL?", I am inclined to ask him to get things in order in his brain before transmitting anything? hi
BTW, for the antena candidate at your possible new QTH, a fishing rod
with random wire along it could work well. You may put it out when you operate radio. It might be better than an attic antenna. Anyway, there could be many ways you operate radio wherever you might be.
Shin