[SixClub] band is open

Sun Nov 15 03:16:43 EST 2009

Richard J. Fiero II W5TFW wrote:
> this is true,.........
>
>  BUt I was going to let him KNOW the band was open and hope he 
> moved,........ but he never stopped transmitting he had a LONG
> logbook.....
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "KB0NLY" <kb0nly at mchsi.com>
> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:21 AM
> Subject: Re: [SixClub] band is open
>
>
>   
>> An OO wouldn't do much good, I got one right here and they don't care if
>> someone is chatting on the calling frequency as long as they aren't doing
>> anything illegal.
>>
>>     
Which is the approach he/she is supposed to take. After all the calling 
frequencies (which are a good idea) are only a "gentleman's agreement".

Activity on the calling frequency is a good thing. So are local rag 
chews or we'd never know the band was open if we're all listening and no 
one is transmitting.  True I have a spectrum scope that is very 
sensitive and a great instrument on virtually all openings except aurora 
that is just at the noise level, that is when I'm sitting right there 
watching.  Now that's difficult to do at the peak of the sunspot cycle, 
let alone when openings may be months apart.  I used to say there was 
nothing more boring and brainless than cultivating beans the first time 
through, but I think watching a spectrum scope on 6-meters, waiting for 
a band opening has it beat.

Now I often have the rig listening on six while working in the shop, but 
the spectrum scope does nothing for me there except tell me I missed 
something unless I happen to walk up at the moment some one transmits. 
OTOH if they transmit on 50.125 I'll hear them. As the band gets busy 
the contacts start spreading out from the calling frequency which is a 
natural progression.  Still there are those who just park on 50.125 and 
call and no few times have I found moving up 10 will result in a quiet 
spot and no answers.  It appears that every one at that particular 
moment is only listening (with many transmitting) on dot 125.  Of course 
there is always some one who says up 50 or 100. You move, answer them, 
they get a couple more calls and then nada. They are back to the fishing 
hole.  This is an improvement, but it still uses the calling frequency, 
just less often.

>> Locally we always chat on .125 unless the band is open, then we move up.
>> And when it comes to six I can understand why it happens, everyone hangs
>> around the calling frequency, move off and sometimes you can call cq until
>> your voice goes but all the activity is still on the calling frequency. 
>> Not
>> saying its right, but that's what happens.
>>     
It's pretty much true on virtually all VHF and UHF calling frequencies, 
but I think at least part of the problem is we has far too many 
frequencies that are designated as being specific to some kind of 
activity.  When you look at it most of the bands are broken into many 
small pieces that are far too small to coexist peacefully during band 
openings and particularly for DX or contests.  Add to that split 
frequency operation, or even cross band and many of those "gentleman's 
agreements" may sound good and logical, but fail in the real world. Once 
any of us start ignoring one or two of them it just follows all but a 
few will be ignored in general and all will be ignored by a few.  How 
many of us know all of the recommended frequencies and modes of 
operation for each of the bands we operate.  I keep a chart to keep me 
legal, but in general I know only the most used portions of the band 
plans and I have to review them often just to remember the calling 
frequencies for CW, SSB, and DX on each band.  If you do a lot of band 
hoping there are just too many to remember or keep track of even with 
charts.

73

Roger (K8RI)
>> It happens on 2m SSB as well all the time.  The guys up around Minneapolis
>> hang on .200 to ragchew when the band is open.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Scott
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Bill Bailey, KG4NZR" <kg4nzr at cfl.rr.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:00 AM
>> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [SixClub] band is open
>>
>>     
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Richard J. Fiero II W5TFW" <joeyw5tfw at gmail.com>
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:51 AM
>>> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [SixClub] band is open
>>>
>>>       
>>>> LMAO !
>>>>
>>>> I just hope it wasnt a member of ths club !    :-)
>>>>
>>>> I would have sent him a pink slip !   ha ha ha !
>>>>         
>>> Nothing in EL98.  Regardless of his membership, or lack thereof, he needs
>>> a
>>> pink slip.  Where's the OO when you really want one?
>>>
>>> 73 Bill KG4NZR
>>>
>>>
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>>     
>
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>   