Topband: Conditions last night - operating manners

[Ivo Pezer]

I fully agree with Steve's comment - tail end, although I rarely use it, is
one of the most beautiful pile-up experience, if used (not abused) on both
ends, so it should be used only in such cases when both sides can read each
other's mind, and destinguish it from the bad operating practice. What I
often hear is that DX crowd (bad-mannered callers and policeman) usually
control DX pile up - it should the other way around: pile up can and should
be entirely controlled by the DX station who should use the best method that
prevails for the current situation.
My rule is: NEVER let QRM'er know that they annoy you - I just ignore them
and work stations at slower pace, and QRM eventually stops. On the other
hand, DX station has responsibilities too - I find it's unfair to hear DX
station coming back to you with "QSO B4" comment, whilst they do not send
their call-sign for minutes. Not everybody is using DX cluster and if not
always, at least once a minute DX stations should send complete call-sign
for those who don't rely on packet cluster.

If each of us would do some effort to improve our daily practices, I'm sure
we would all enjoy our beautiful hobby even more.

73 Ivo I7/9A3A

ex 5B4ADA/C4A/HH2AW/4V2A........

> On the contrary. Diagnosing how the DX is listening and utilizing that
> to pick your spot and timing is a tried and true method of experienced
> ops. On CW, tail ending a  few hundred cycles off the current Q can be
> very effective. For the proficient ops on the DX end, this increases
> the Q rate without causing QRM to the current Q.

> The "lids" that concern me are those who call non-stop over the current
> Q necessitating repeats and slowing the rate; the cops whose timing on
> the DX's frequency is impeccably bad - if you must send "Up," please do
> it on the DX's frequency when he's listening and not transmitting, and
> sending it once only; and those who failed their elementary school
> alphabet tests. These traits seem to be independent of how long the
> DXer has been licensed.
>
> We all have made mistakes in timing, thinking we hear our call or using
> the wrong VFO. And most of us shut up when we realize our mistake.
> There are unfortunately still a few who won't.
>
> I, for one, will continue to tail end as long as the DX takes 'em. It
> can be a thing of beauty.
>
> 73, Steve WB6RSE