[Fists] Need a pro-sign

[Fred Adsit]

Comments mixed into the text....

>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: Rich Fowler
>>To: Fists@mailman.qth.net
>>Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:45 AM
>>Subject: Re: [Fists] Need a pro-sign
>>
>>--- Ralph Sutton <zl2aoh@ihug.co.nz> wrote:
>> Stan
>>
>> Wot about ":A?" - eh?!!
>>
>> Vy 73 de Ralph ZL2AOH
>
>Ralph,
>
>I like this one!! After meeting someone in person and talking a while, I
>have to say "What was your name again?" A? ?

What does A? mean?

>Actually sometimes, I might need to say NAME? since I copy in my head and
>am suffering short term memory loss. If I really miss it, I might come
back
>with NAME? BK before going too far. Saying R R R might be like shaking
your
>head "yes" and still you're not taking everything in.  Probably no one
else
>can identify...oh well.

Why -couldn't- we identify with that, and who suggested R R R?

>The bottom line is I try to enjoy the QSO without getting too bothered by
>the operator not knowing the correct pro-signs. I use the correct
pro-signs
>as an example for him. If he is a cordial type, I might mention that his
>sending a KN is telling others to stay away, but I want others to join if
>they feel comfortable doing so

Seems to me it is a bit easier to set the example. Sow the seed. After a
while, it may take root and grow a better operator. Hard to be sure how
folks
will take advice, and deciding a stranger seems cordial may not wash once
you start giving uninvited lessons.

As I think about this, what about the op calling "CQ FISTS". I had not
thought
about this before, but would KN be a good way of saying that only FISTS
contacts are wanted. I guess there is room for a little rope there, not
sure.

>Speaking of that ... How many of us sit on a FISTS frequency waiting for
the
>QSO to get done so we can get a new FISTS number? Why don't we jump
>into the QSO and get two numbers?  Just a wild thought...

Well, I personally don't like people jumping into my QSOs. A lot of
operators
don't. Going back up there to short term memory loss, it breaks one's
train of
thought when somebody butts in. Why not just wait and make the next
contact
and get that FISTS number? If when you do that, the one you were talking
with
comes back in to say hello to the newcomer, fine with me since I finished
what
I had to say already, if you get my drift. As for the other party, that
depends....
I think what is going on here is chasing numbers. I usually don't, I just
ragchew.
If the op is a FISTS, I swap. If not, I don't push the issue. I always
ask, however.
And give my number if the other one IS one and gives me a number.

Incidentally, if you butt in, and get accepted, the ops have NO idea of
how
much you have overheard and noted down already. So, to be sure, you give
your name, QTH, etc. -- what a waste of time for at least one of the
operators.
I hope that thought is clear.

If things are quiet, it is best to get off the FISTS freq to QSO anyhow.
If others
are interested in what is going on, they will move onto that freq and wait
to talk,
which is good since it keeps the calling freq clear.

I mess up often and wind up in a QSO right on the calling freq, and I
admit it.
But I shouldn't do it. If I AM running numbers and the freq is full of
stations in
line, I take them as they call. If they persist in calling after I have to
leave and
end with "CL" which some don't understand, I do what I intended.. turn off
the rig. Someone will explain, I hope. Closing Station means what it says
or
it wouldn't be said. :-) There's always another day, or we hope there is.

One thing you should know about me. I am not really a QRP-er or a
contester.
That affects my thinking. After years of public service, and being busy
with the
regulatory issues of the day, I am finally sitting down and enjoying
ragchews,
and if no FISTS numbers are forthcoming, fine. I will get them eventually.

As for the QRP bit, my antenna now that the supporting trees have blown
down,
puts me almost in that category anyway. I like working anybody as long as
I
can copy them. If they run letters together, I ignore them. No sense
talking
with someone I can't understand. This right here is a good place to
discuss
these issues. Most of us have email and can come here and ask about these
things, and everyone gets to read and judge for themselves whether they
agree, disagree, or are learning something.

>73/72,
>
>Rich

73
ZUT - CW Forever
Fred Adsit, NY2V
AWA QRP-ARCI QRP-L ARRL A-1 OP FISTS#1293
ex-W2ZOJ - 1948