I took my Novice and General licenses in 1954-55 from a gentleman whose
call was W8DX. Just a lucky roll of the dice? I don't think so.
Clearly, the system was a lot less rigid and litigious in those days
73, Pete N4ZR
Download the new N1MM Logger+ at
<http://N1MM.hamdocs.com>. Check
out the Reverse Beacon Network at
<http://reversebeacon.net>, now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.
On 1/10/2017 11:37 AM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:
Well, $100 here, $100 there, pretty soon you're talking about real money...
There were always rumors at the time that if you wanted a particular call, and
you knew the right person to contact in Gettysburg, 'arrangements' could be
made. And to be very clear, the 'right' person should not imply that this was
someone soliciting for or taking a bribe... or if you prefer, an unearned
gratuity.
Allegedly, as memory serves, some of the FCC staff at the time were or could be
quite accommodating, if you asked nicely enough, and your informal request was
reasonable enough.
Others were very much 'by the book' and would firmly but politely decline the
request -- if they even responded at all.
And then there were those who, well, let's just say never turned down an
opportunity to take advantage of their position, even if it was for relative
pocket change. Fortunately those were very few, but there were a few. (And no,
I don't get it either... losing your career, your reputation, and possibly
serving jail time, for a mere pittance? Never did make sense, but still, it did
happen)
- - -
In addition, if memory serves, one of the issues at the time was also related
to an informal call request. If memory serves, someone requested a particular
call on behalf of a club station, didn't get it, and then asked his
congress-person's office to intervene. I think there was at least one such
situation, there may have been more.
All in all, in the context of the time, it's almost no wonder that the FCC went
to the current sequential call assignment system when they did, and were so
recalcitrant about opening up Vanity calls under almost any circumstances, for
so long.
73, ron w3wn
On 01/10/17, kr2q@optimum.net wrote:
Speaking as a private citizen....
RE: http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/cq-contest/2017-January/116177.html
I will never understand why folks risk their career for small dollar amounts.
While $100 was a
lot more in 1977 than now (maybe not?), still, it is a paltry sum compared to
one's career. WHY?
No doubt, there must have been a whistle-blower.
-------
RE: K1AR's post:
http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/cq-contest/2017-January/116140.html
Equally, why do guys cheat during a contest? For what? These are not a
life-altering events.
I just can't help but think back to the recent log-padding that caused a
multi-year, retro DQ and
a multi-year ban. WHY? Was it worth it?
de Doug KR2Q
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