[CQ-Contest] "?" not equal to "QRL?"

[Bill Coleman]

On Aug 9, 2006, at 7:35 PM, Mark Beckwith wrote:

>  "Di-di-dah-dah-di-dit" does not mean "is the frequency in use?"   
> Using it
> as such is bad form.  MHO.

While I agree with Mark, the crucial issue isn't what is sent to  
determine if a frequency is in use. The critical component is how  
much you LISTEN to determine if a frequency is in use.

Far too often, a contester in a big hurry will hear a half-way clear  
frequency and open up with a CQ, or perhaps is courteous enough to  
send a "QRL?" or maybe just "?". But then they don't listen to the  
response. More than once I've been driven off a frequency after  
sending QRL QSY over and over.

LISTEN. That's the best way to determine if the frequency is in use.


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901