[UK-CONTEST] VHF FD (GM8OEG)

[gm4fam at tiscali.co.uk]

Andy's comments are an exact replica of my experiences on 4m !!

>>> Was it just me being a "grumpy old man" but was the standard of 
operating generally pretty appalling?   Things I heard:  Gxxxx/p in 
JO0xxx having a long natter to some local pal  when they surely must 
have realised there were other people calling them, I had to wait about 
5 minutes expecting them to drop from S7 into the noise at any moment.

Had the same experience here, but being an HF type I tried to break in 
(!) - was acknowledged with a "please standby" - of course (silly me) I 
did, but the condx weren't in similar mood so another QSO lost ! 
(I can recall being involved with a portable group where such non-
urgent actions would have had the operator ejected from the chair).

>>> G5xx/p on sunday:  "CQ  CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ contest CQ contest CQ CQ CQ 
CQ CQ CQ contest CQ contest golf five mumble mumble <and they fade into 
the noise> CQ contest CQ contest"    Now, let me think what's the bit 
of information that I actually want to hear?  that they're CQing or 
what their callsign is?  Think about it........    And they were'nt the 
only one, for pete's sake give the callsign umpteem times CLEARLY and 
ditch the CQs.

Heard many similar instances (but not G5xx/p !);  a simple 3 x 
callsign (phonetically) followed by "contest" or "field day" is 
sufficient - easy to record onto a DVK.
 
The S&P aspect for fixed stations is a pain the backside - really dont 
see the problem with them also being able to call CQ. The bands are 
fairly wide so there is plenty of space, and the well sited ones will 
do better anyway.  The contest needs activity, so why introduce ways of 
making it more difficult to achieve more QSOs?  

And I repeat my call for a specific segment for CW on 4m - heard the 
code being used on other bands in the expected places.

73 Cris
GM4FAM




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