[Wswss] Operating practices

[DBellW6AQ at aol.com]

Like Jack, who brought up VHF etiquette, I too am annoyed at the bizarre 
contest practices on VHF/UHF.  I operate a lot of low band contests and have a 
pretty good idea of how to do it.  The bees nest on 144.200 is the dumbest 
operating I have ever witnessed.  It's called the "calling frequency" for good 
reason.  That's where you announce where you're listening (hopefully at least 20+ 
KC away from there).  And you don't announce it every 10 seconds if you don't 
get somebody.  Maybe it's time for you to search and pounce.  Or, god forbid, 
if some lid is calling CQ on 144.200, you say, "K6LID, see you at 144,.245."  
Maybe you can get him to QSY, if he has a dial on his radio.  I, for one, 
refuse to talk to locals on 144.200.  I call there, but I listen elsewhere.  
(Unless it's DX, which as Jack says, is different.  But it'd be great to get the DX 
to listen on 144.245 too, and announce to the hoards on 144.240 that W7XYZ is 
on 144.245 for those of you who can hear him.)  73, Dave, W6AQ