[Fists] (no subject)

[Jack B.]

Hi all,

My first post to this group.

With all due respect to the memory of FISTS' founder, I believe the FISTS calling frequencies should have been meant to apply to all hams, not just FISTS members (perhaps he did mean it that way - I don't know).  As a result, everyone wants to have their own calling frequency for their respective club.

The list of 'avoidable' frequencies is mounting, and approaches the ridiculous situation known on 20 and 75 phone, except without the high level of activity.

Examples of new frequencies to tip-toe around if arranging a QSY:  The Straight Key Century Club has designated operating frequencies on each band, plus now they also have +2 KHz QRQ frequencies, and -2 KHz QRS frequencies.  Not to pick on SKCC exclusively (I'm a member), but you get the idea.  Nobody wants to be accused of bad etiquette if they can avoid it, but it's becoming harder to avoid.

I started CW before FISTS or any other similar organization formed.  The only 'clique' was Morse itself.  Period.  I called CQ.  I answered CQs.  No membership needed.  No schedule required.  There weren't any rifts among us other than code speed.  But I digress.

Suggested solution:  While I admit this is water over the dam, there could be one single CW calling frequency declared for each band -- something akin to 146.52 MHz on FM simplex -- to supersede the growing multitude of club calling/operating frequencies.  Just a suggestion, constructive comments welcome. 

Jack - N0NV
#10581