Topband: My Apologies to All

[charles Lewis]

I am very sorry about the big blunder I made when I returned to the band at about 0212 UTC this morning.  When I started up on 1828.5, I thought I had set the rig for split.  (I am normally in the split mode even before I announce a split so I can fine tune the receiver with the large knob instead of using the small RIT knob.)  Only many CQ's after I had announced a split did I discover that I was in simplex.  No doubt, a number of stations missed a contact because of that stupid mistake.  I am very embarrassed about it and regret the addition of even more frustration for those trying to work me.
   
  The TS-440SAT that I used until about a year ago only required hitting two push buttons to get set up for split.  The old TS-930 I use now has a push button for A=B, but I have to turn a knob to activate the split.   That has tripped me up a few times previously since I started using the TS-930, but this incident was by far the most embarrassing one.
   
  I didn't notice the problem on the frequency display for a long time. I face away from the rig most of the time while operating because my computer is to one side.
   
  My sincerest apologies to those whose moment in the spotlight passed while I was operating in error.
   
  I had stopped earlier at about 0030 UTC because I was not hearing any NA stations.  I think I probably missed a period of good signals from NA.  When I came back to the shack to check the band around 0205 UTC, I heard some good signals from US stations that were calling a station above 1830 kHz. By the time got tuned up at 1828.5, conditions had apparently declined.
   
  I had constant QRN grind with heavy static crashes superimposed.  Besides those who lost out because of my operating error, several missed contacts because I couldn't induce them to give me the many repeats I needed to assemble their call sign through the static crashes.  There were others again who wasted their time in the spotlight sending many RST's every time I queried their partial call instead of giving me the numerous call sign repeats I needed. They faded away before we could complete the QSO.  Please save the RST's until I have your call sign.  RST's are much easier to make out in the noise than letters.
   
  Partly my fault this time, it was not a very productive period of operation.   I logged only about 17 stations in the USA along with some SA and EU stations.
   
   
  73,
  Charles Lewis - S9SS
   

		
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