[50mhz] Cleaning up the "Airing the Laundry"

[Fisher, Mike]

While I agree and disagree with the many points voiced here, please let
me throw in my 2 cents worth.

First my name is Mike Fisher - N3VOP - from Mt. Airy, Maryland in the
middle of FM19. I have been active on 6 meters for 6 1/2 years and
worked 245 grids (30 countries - 1 being Pitcairn Island 5600 miles) ALL
with a vertical and 1 FT-847 (100w). I run a weekly net on my club's 6
meter repeater for the past 4+ years. My club also does a PSK net each
week. 

Let us all remember that due to the sun spots we need to jump for joy
when we do hear a signal. Because of TVI issues I don't call CQ. I tune
up & down looking for a grid I need to confirm and try to work him. Ever
since I got my VUCC I have wanted to do 100 on FM, AM, and now PSK so
when the band is open I go to those modes and look for Q's. I am a small
fish in a big pond so anything I get is a treat.

Also remember and some of the new ops are no-codes (I was also for a few
years) and a band opening my very well be their ONLY opportunity to talk
with someone outside of their ground wave area. While I'm a General now
and enjoy HF, I still have not lost my ham radio roots and forgot about
VHF like others have. 

As far as the question about where on the band does someone sit and call
CQ if they are in a rare grid (FM13 hi) maybe the best way to not step
on anyone's toes would be to list it here and have someone SPOT them on
packet/DX spots on the net and setup on 130, 135, or maybe 190, 195
would work best. Trust me, once word gets out they will have all the
contact they can handle

Lastly, selling 6 meters is like selling a house. You talk about all the
excitement of the band and not blasting away just because a newbie turns
the dial below 125 because no-one has taken the time to Elmer them. Back
in 1999 and 2000 I bet I missed working tons of DX because I did not
understand what the DX WINDOW was. 

Thanks for your time and see ya down the log.

Mike  N3VOP