[Fists] USING THE Q-SIGNAL QRL? DUMMY LOADS ANYONE?]]

Sat Jan 13 17:28:22 EST 2007

Once again, with all due respect, I do not take "offense" for that would
indicate taking things personally.  I see the use of QRL? as being a
source of unnecessary QRM.  I have operated 20 meters CW, often
intensely, since 1963.  Not once have I found it necessary to use QRL? 
Simply listening for a while will tell me much about the frequency's
usage or lack thereof.  I suspect that in this age of constant instant
gratification, the quick fix, QRL?, fits right in.  If you check my
post  where I referenced N6CQ, I did not refer to or call him an
expert.  That is a conclusion drawn by others.  Regarding the use of
QRL? over time, I sense that it's use has devolved more than it has
"evolved".  It adds little to good operating practices, but does add to
a good amount of QRM.

Jozef WB2MIC

PS.  Speaking of devolution.  I suspect that with the elimination of CW
as a requirement for ham licenses, the ARRL will change its sad notice
column from "Silent Keys" to "Silent Microphones" or "Silent Keyboards"? 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: [Fists] USING THE Q-SIGNAL QRL? DUMMY LOADS ANYONE?]
Date: 	Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:32:20 -0500
From: 	W2AGN <w2agn at pobox.com>
To: 	FISTS USA <fists at mailman.qth.net>
References: 	<45A94D55.4070704 at metaphoria.org>

Sending CC's may delay your post. If you feel that your post needs to go to more than one destination please send them separately. 

Jozef Hand-Boniakowski, Ph.D. wrote:
>
> W8FAX presents evidence to support that QRL? fails in its intended
> purpose.  It is possible that the reason one does not get a response
> from a QRL? queerie is that the the statione being QRM'd the QRL? is
> mumbling expletives under their breath. On Sun, 23 Jul 1995 N6CQ
> bill.lumnitzer at paonline.com wrote:
>  
>  > QRL and all the other "Q" signals come from CW traffic handling, the
>  > precedent of contesting. "QRL?" means: "Are YOU busy?" (handling traffic)
>  > and was directed to a SPECIFIC station. Somehow, it has been transformed
>  > (incorrectly) over the last couple of decades to mean "Is this FREQUENCY
>  > busy?".  About half the time, if you send QRL? in a contest, a passerby
>  > will respond R and start CQing!
>
> See QRL from the 1936 handbook at http://www.cebik.com/tales/qsig.html 
> It's intent was to be used when a two way communications has already
> been established.  
>
> Jozef WB2MIC
The use of QRL? to ask if a frequency is in use has evolved, as have many things since 1936! The idea is, you may not, particularly on 20m, hear both sides of a QSO. A quick QRL? lets the other station respond "C" . It is a courtesy. You are the only one I have EVER heard of that finds offense at this usage. (And perhaps N6CQ, although I fail to see what makes him an "expert." He equates "incorrectly" with "evolved." )

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Jozef Hand-Boniakowski, Ph.D
Metaphoria
http://www.metaphoria.org