[Fists] QSY'ing away from a calling freq.

[Werner 'Joe' Jochem DK7VW]

kc9brz wrote:

> What's the protocol for QSY'ing away from a calling freq?
> 
> Say I'm calling CQ on 14.058, and I've already checked to
> see that 14.060 is quiet/free (at least as heard from my 
> location.)
> 
> Suppose someone answers my CQ on 14.058, and I suggest 
> "Can U QSY up 2KHZ?"

I don't know the level of activity on FISTS "calling" frequencies in the 
US. In this part of the world there is a great silence on 14,058 kHz for 
23,5 hours a day. Therefore I generally see no need to QSY when calling 
on this frequency which I would like better to call an "activity" (or 
inactivity?) frequency.

Anyway you aren't doing it the wrong way when proposing "PSE QSY UP 2".
(Remember 14,060 is the activity center of the QRP community!).

> 14.060 might not be free for the other guy.
> 
> Do I wait for him to check 14.060 and then come back
> down to 14.058 and tell me it's okay to QSY?

No. You can go to 14,060 kHz (after asking/checking if the frequency is 
free and call him there. "AB1DC DE KC9BRZ PSE K". If there's is any QRM 
for him, he will/should tell that: "HR QRM PSE UP1". Then he should call 
you on 14,061: "KC9BRZ DE AB1DC PSE K" etc. etc.

> What's the generally understood way of doing that, and
> the shorthand way of saying it?

See above. Another elegant way is - presumed your TRX is full bk - to 
QSY (turning the VFO knob) whilst sending a series of dits. Listen 
carefully and quickly move across a busy frequency to minimize the QRM 
caused by this action. The other station can follow your signal until 
you find a QRG suitable for both of you.

> How many alternate freqs should I check out to see if 
> they are free, before calling CQ on a calling freq?

None. A frequency you checked free before can be busy 30 seconds later. 
This makes no sense. You will have to make a new check every time you QSY.

> And is 500 Hz pretty much the standard for signal
> separation in CW ?

Since a 500 Hz filter is or should be standard in every decent CW RX a 
separation of 250-300 Hz should be okay (half of the filter bandwith). 
The more important point is to zero beat the other station's signal 
correctly.

> Thanks.

Have fun, 73
Joe

-- 
Werner 'Joe' Jochem - DK7VW [N7VW]
Wendelsborn 34
66606 St.Wendel - GERMANY
phone +49 6851 808121

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