[Elecraft] ECN poll

[Kevin Rock]

Howdy Folks,
   I am getting more votes for changing the time of ECN's opening bell to 0000z.   The people in Eastern Canada and on the East Coast would like me to run a bit 
earlier in the evening for improved propagation on 20 meters.  My only problem with it is personal: that's my feeding time!   But I can adapt.   What I would like to 
know is how many of you are interested in my starting ECN at 0000z?  Right now I have ten votes in favor and none opposed.  More input would be nice.

   On another note: there was some confusion last weekend about my operating procedure.  I do start listening on 14050 kHz.  But if there is any activity at all I 
jump up by a kilohertz.  That means I do not listen to what is being sent on any frequency.  I just listen for dits or dahs.  If I hear any activity I move to the next 
frequency.  I don't send the preamble until I call QRL twice and receive no response.  I do give a wide berth to 14055 kHz if I need to move that high because the 
Canadians run a net there.  Since there was activity on 14050 kHz it was skipped as was 14051 kHz.  14052 kHz fit the criteria as a usable ECN frequency since I 
called QRL twice with no response.  Then I started CQ CQ CQ ...   Please don't try to "hold" a frequency.  If I hear anything on a frequency I do not wait the 5 to 
10 minutes it would take to get a call sign and then look it up to determine if it is an ECN regular.  If I am not going to be able to run the net I will use the Elecraft 
Reflector to announce this to you all.  

   On yet another note: 'hail signs' need to be used properly or else we could be in violation of the ten minute ID rule.  So I will offer a variation.  If you send a 'hail 
sign' which doesn't get my attention (or an alternate NCS) wait a bit and then try again with your entire call sign.  I might have missed you because two of you 
were transmitting simultaneously or else QSB just ate your signal.  Given last week's conditions this was the case more often than not :(  By covering your options 
(insert euphemism of choice here) we can all get along with Mr Hollingsworth and communicate at the same time.  So, to reiterate, send your 'hail sign', if it is not 
recognized send your entire call.  The use of 'hail signs' did help your novice Net Op incredibly so I don't want to see them eliminated.

   73,
        Kevin.   KD5ONS (Net Control Operator fifth class).