[Elecraft] restrictive CQs? SKCC, Fists etc. - protocol on who we can play with

[David Wilburn]

As a member of FISTS, I have never had a problem working folks without a 
number.  Understand that FISTS is an organization to promote CW.  I 
can't speak for others, but in my case, a rag chew is more difficult 
that a FISTS QSO.  FISTS QSOs, in my experience have been pretty 
straight forward; name, greetings, rst, qth, rig, power, ant, and maybe 
wx info.  Not exciting, on invigorating for most folks, but it is a lot 
for those of us struggling with the code.  If folks get a little fast on 
me, or I just start dropping letters or words, I at least have some 
ideas what is coming and can usually figure it out.  In the case of a 
rag chew, if I miss a couple of letters, I find myself behind, and 
completely missing the point.  Thus, I tend, for now, to keep QSO's 
short a sweet.

I look forward to getting good enough at CW that I can sit and ragchew. 
    I have been working on my CW, off and on for a few years, and it is 
still has a ways to go.

To alleviate the concern you have, what I have done in the past, was to 
CQ FISTS a few times, then if nothing is heard, I just threw out CQ.  On 
several occasions I had folks that came right back to me, that were 
obviously listening, but didn't answer when I did CQ FISTS.  I enjoyed 
the QSOs, but I still did not get too fancy.

My main problem, is that I can copy faster than I have figured out a way 
to record the information.  At 15 wpm I cannot write fast enough.  I can 
copy what is being said, but have not been able to remember it well 
enough to keep track of what is going on.  I touch type, and that works 
pretty well, till we get into call signs or such, as I was never good at 
typing numbers.

I hope the explanation helped some.

David Wilburn
dave.wilburn at verizon.net
K4DGW
K2 #5982



Brian Pepperdine wrote:
> Well, I just gotta ask.
> It really seems a lot of the CQs I hear are CQ FISTS and CQ SKCC.
> Are these persons bothered if I reply and just want a QSO/rag 
> chew/contact and don't need their number and won't send one in return - 
> or don't favour a hand key?
> 
> I just don't see the sense in sending numbers - and I really don't need 
> to collect them. That's OK for those that do... but to not 'accept' 
> those who don't?
> And the straight key guys.... do they really only want to have contacts 
> with someone enamoured of the straight key. I have a number of old hand 
> keys... they look nice, but my keyer and paddle are easier on the arm 
> that has had  a lot of jolts from carpentry/bicycle riding/motorcycle 
> throttling....
> 
> I know I can pass them by I guess - but gee, I want to have a contact, 
> plain and simple and it seems so many possible operator calls are 
> restricting themselves to someone with a number or old fashioned key. 
> Can't we just agree to all talk and THEN say, oh by the way I have a 
> nice old key here I am using, or I have a number.
> 
> Or maybe it should be - CQ FISTS? or CQ SK? - which is to say... I have 
> a number if you want one but otherwise call me anyhow... or I use an old 
> key and won't send all that fast with it (nice if you are afraid to have 
> to QRS the fellow).
> 
> Anyhow, not much of a rant as a query on protocols of calling and 
> answering, as well as just wanting to be able to work a lot of fellows 
> on the radio.
> Otherwise, I guess I will just have to let them alone in their 
> respective sandboxes and go play with those who feel more open (wherever 
> and whenever).
> I do realize they DO have their calling frequencies... but I am hearing 
> more broadly than that. Seems to me to be a weird imbalance.
> 
> On the other hand.... my copying of numbers is getting good from 
> 'reading the mail' on those QSOs for practice :)
> 
> tnx
> 
> Brian
> Toronto
> VE3VAW
> 
> 
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