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

[David Ring]

Even if 14,058.0 isn't active where you are, having a QSO there will
annoy those who are monitoring 14,058.0 kHz and cause them to turn off
their radios.

I guess Joe monitors 24 hours a day as he knows the frequency is
inactive 23.5 hours a day.  That's actually a good thing.

On 20 meters the FISTS frequency is now rather high on the band, if
you QSY upwards, you run into the QRP frequency of 14,060 which is
generally used as a QSO frequency.  Then you run into digital signals.

IF you go downwards, you run into 14,055.0 kHz which IS used as a
calling frequency - except when a USA County is being "run".  it is in
constant use during propagation hours - and a CQ there will result in
your being informed so.  A good bunch of guys, so leave their
frequency quiet.

So it is clearer to shift downward.  I check out clear frequencies
before I call CQ on 14,058.0.  Say 14,053.0 is clear.

CQ CQ CQ FISTS FISTS DE N1EA N1EA N1EA K - then I make QSO and I tell
the fellow.
QSY TO 14053 ? 14053 OK? K

When people are monitoring, I can make short calls - like above.  I
wait about five minutes before putting out any more noise.  Except if
I hear someone tuning then, I send a QRZ? and then shift them off.

I frequently monitor a FISTS frequency (some have scanners and monitor
them all) - and if I hear a station that gets no answer, I'll go back
to him - but if he is expecting an immediate call, he isn't going to
get one from me, because I am generally busy, but I will get there in
a few minutes and then give him a short call.

Sometimes the station is still there, and we QSY.  Sometimes he has
just left thinking that no one has heard him.

When stations have a QSO on 14,058.0, after about 15 minutes of noise,
I just go and shut the radio off so I can concentrate on my work.  A
brief call doesn't cause problems but a half hour of squalking gets
the OFF control button.

When people occupy 14,058.0 - no one else can use it to call another station.

I've also been called directly (and answered) on this frequency.

14,050 kHz is monitored USA wide for traffic.  After nightfall, I
often call AL7N in Fairbanks Alaska.  He monitors three frequencies
with three receivers:  14,050, 7,050 and another 3.5 MHz frequency
when he is home and not sleeping.

Without a schedule with him, he responds to about 3/4 of my calls -
but it is a difficult path between Boston and Fairbanks (very far
north) in Alaska.  I give him just a short 3 by 3 call - and he
answers within a minute.

73

David N1EA

=30=




> 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?"
>

Joe writes:
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.