Topband: Proper Decorum On The "Gentleman's Band"...

[Jeff Woods]

We have a winner....


I have noticed this correlation with cluster spots and unsportsmanlike conduct as well: 

In the CQ160 contest last month, EA5RS was calling CQ.  I found him on a routine sweep of the band.  Perhaps 3 other stations and I were calling him; he wasn't hearing well.  At some point a considerate op sent out a QRL? nearby, close enough to pass through my 200hz filter.  I sent R DX and he ceased transmitting.  On the next go-round with the EA, I sent his full call in case anyone else thought the frequency was clear.  Within 30 seconds, an unruly pile-up commenced.  After several minutes of nearly continuous calling by ops who clearly could not hear him, the EA went silent.  

About 5 minutes later I found him again, 5 KHz down the band.  This time I refrained from sending his call.  Never did work him, but at least some North American hams were able to.  He was the same signal strength or better, yet no pile-up this time. 

On the other hand, there were many instances of great operating discipline heard last weekend.  The Maritnique op (Forget the call, FM5-something) had a particularly well-behaved pile-up.  If he sent a partial call, everyone else stayed silent until the QSO was finished or a QRZ? was issued.  It was a thing of beauty.  This was the norm, rather than the exception.

Top Band may be getting worse, but it's still a rather nice neighborhood relative to many other bands.

73
Jeff, W0ODS
 



  





>________________________________
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> 
>So, in these times of "I want it all at no effort", let's raise the bar.
>Create new thresholds, filters etc. at which only serious new ops will get through.
>
>Close all DX clusters for Topband; yeah hardly realstic, I know.
>But..
>Do not spot on the cluster anymore.
>
>73 Mark, PA5MW
>
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