[Fists] QRS

[YoDoc at aol.com]

Having just read the message quoted below, I recall many encounters on-the-air with CW operators, all FISTS members, who failed to QRS or QRS to my speed -- usually slowing down to twice the speed at which I was sending.  Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable for members of an organization which has, as it's motto -- "Accuracy transcends speed."  I cannot copy accurately when half the characters received fly by me at a rate way beyond my comprehension.  

I've been an avid CW operator throughout my ham "career," but am now primarily a digital mode operator.  I still enjoy CW QSO's, but due to the "diversity" of my amateur radio pursuits, I have not developed copying speed beyond 25 WPM, max.  I have had a lot of QSO's with OM's who started out clicking away at 50 WPM, but very gladly slowed to my speed, whatever it was at the time.  Lately, nobody seems to want to do that anymore.  I've had one OM try to explain it away be saying he is "pushing me to try to copy faster."  Thanks, OM, but I'll push myself be SENDING faster so the other OM I'm working can match MY speed, as should be the case.  The priority should always be given to the slowest operator, at least within the FISTS organization.  

I like the idea of setting up a system for booting people out of FISTS upon receipt of "x" number of complaints.  Of course, this would require at least two or more complaints on the same operator.  I'd also like to sanction other FISTS transgressions like "hogging" the .058 frequencies (especially 14.058) and run-together sending at ANY speed.  

I also like the idea of requiring future FISTS members to be "nominated" for membership.  This would require working on-the-air and receiving nominations from at least 3 FISTS members.  Let's see some more discussion of this concept.

73 de Larry, K3LT
FISTS 2008




>A FISTS member ought to not only know better than for be an arrogant CW op,
>a FISTS member should strive to set an example of what a good op is like.
>Perhaps a change in bylaws is in order.  How about if a set number of bad
>reports come in, dropping a member from FISTS?
>
>Think about this:  IF A NOMINATION FOR FISTS WERE REQUIRED, WOULD ANYONE
>NOMINATE YOU?
>
>A person shouldn't even have to ask for someone to slow down!  A good
>operator should do that automatically.  Arrogance (by refusing to slow down)
>is not the sign of a good operator.