TopBand: Response to WV5S

[Garry Shapiro]

Garry Shapiro wrote:
> 
> wv5s@icon.net wrote:
> >
> > I find it difficult to believe that people continue to broadcast
> > these kind of statements on the reflectors for the world to see,
> > especially people who should know better.  I really wonder why.
> >
> > Anyone who has kept up with this operation knows that Coy, N5OK, is
> > the low band operator and had sent out several messages prior to this
> > operation.  The day before departure, he severely injured his back
> > lifting the gear for this trip.  He called to see if I could go in
> > his place, which I could not.  He chose to board the plane wearing a
> > large back brace and sit in airplane seats for over 20 hours plus
> > spending overnight in Guam.  After arriving in Belau (Palau), he had
> > to ride in an open boat to get to Koror since the suspension bridge
> > collapsed a few weeks ago.  His equipment did not arrive until the
> > next day.  This required another trip to the airport (two boat rides
> > with equipment on the return).  His TS-940 was almost destroyed when
> > he got it.  The operating room is on the third floor of a walk-up
> > hotel.  Antennas are on the roof and tied to nearby palm trees.
> >
> > Coy has been restricted to bed with severe back pain since getting
> >  the equipment to the hotel. He has a swollen disk. He has not been able
> >  to operate because he cannot sit in a chair more than 15 minutes due
> > to the pain. He is extremely disappointed and is wondering about the
> >  trip back home.
> >
> > Having been to Belau twice with Coy and Dave, N5CG, let me explain
> > the operation.  Dave is a world class contest operator.  His life is
> > "high QSO rate".  He is there to work everyone in the world at least
> > three times and does a great job of it.  He does not have the
> > patience for the low bands.  This would have made a good balance with
> > Coy.  Dave is working some 160/80m which is great.
> >
> > The only contact I want from them is on 160m myself but I have not
> > heard them.  I only know of one Oklahoma station that has worked
> > them.  I hear some zeros working them this morning.  So, I wonder
> > about the basis for your statement Garry.
> >
> > These fellows totally funded the thousands of dollars for this
> > operation without any contributions from anyone such as NCDXC and
> > provided all their own equipment.
> >
> > I have a couple of suggestions Garry.  Maybe NCDXC will fund a
> > DXpedition to Belau so you fellows can do it your way.  Secondly, if
> > you have comments about Coy's operation, perhaps you will want to
> > make them face to face when he returns.
> >
> > Jim Hood, WV5S (KC6SS)
> > President, Oklahoma DX Association
> >
> 
> Jim:
> 
> I think you read more into my response than there was.
> 
> I am fully aware of Coy' back problems, and I am truly concerned for his
> comfort and safety--although I have never met the man. There is nothing
> worse than to be incapacitated far from home and support. I was not
> aware that he was the lowband op, nor that his compatriot is the
> rate-fascist on the trip. I had to deal with those on my trip, and our
> loss of equipment threw our plans in the crapper, as well. Nonetheless,
> almost all constituencies were served.
> 
> Read my note again. The time spent on 160 has been, from the acounts I
> have read, well after east coast sunrise and well before west coast
> sunrise. I am aware that they may have been QRV at other times--Mine,
> JA2NQG reported them QRV with no prop stateside. I had irate buddies
> accuse me of not  being QRV for the West Coast from 3D2CU when in fact I
> was, and prop had died, and I read accusations from people like N4KG
> that I was never QRV for foahs, so I know that that possibility exists.
> Your rebuttal to me was that he worked on OK stn and some zeros--from
> here, there is no difference--a brief appearance for one part of the
> country will never draw applause.
> 
> So what? They can and will do what they want to do, and if there is one
> op and Dave is into working JA's and USA on 40m, so be it. It's his
> trip, although I personally fail to see the point of working everyone
> who does NOT need KC6/T8. But it would definitely simplify matters for
> -me- if I could ascertain whether it is worth my while to give up sleep
> for consecutive nights in hopes of one QSO. If he plans to throw some
> topband crumbs, fine--I'll be there looking for one, and I will stay up
> to do it. If not, life is short and there are other things to do. He did
> not -have- to respond to my 40m query, but it would have been nice if he
> said something like :"sri, no 160 tonite" or "160 at 11Z only" or "160
> next wk" or "160 never." If that is selfish, I apologize, but I assure
> you I will have no problem facing Coy. When I was on Conway, I answered
> all such requests if they were answerable and not sent at 3.5 wpm.
> 
> I did not attack your friends. I observed that the time spent on 160 was
> in a narrow frame, that I had asked three times for clarification or
> guidance without a response, and that I would not ask any more. That
> still holds, and Dave can work 40m until he turns blue, if that suits
> him.
> 
> Now, as for your other sarcasms:
> * NCDXC does not fund DXpeditions. NCDXF does.
> 
> * Each Conway operator brought personal equipment. One radio and one amp
> were loaners. All of the equipment that was lost or ruined was personal
> equipment. We purchased seven of the antennas and one of the generators.
> The funding from NCDXF, INDEXA, etc. did not even pay for the full cost
> of the boat from Suva to Conway. It certainly did not pay for our
> transportation to/from Fiji, our antennas or all our other costs.
> 
> * We did not fly to an international airport at the destination. We also
> know plenty about feeling miserable on the way to "glory." And about
> risk.
> 
> So, while I understand and appreciate your defense of your friends, it
> is misplaced and unnecessary: yes, I DO "know."
> 
> Thanks, at least, for keeping it private.
> 
> --
> Garry Shapiro, NI6T
> Editor, The DXer
> newsletter of the Northern California DX Club

Inasmuch as Jim did not keep it "private," I have CC'd the Reflector.

-- 
Garry Shapiro, NI6T

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/topband.html
Submissions:              topband@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  topband-REQUEST@contesting.com
Sponsored by Akorn Access, Inc & KM9P