As both a FISTS and SKCC member, I will tell you while I call CQ FISTS or CQ SKCC and am looking for other members with which to exchange info, I always welcome a non member QSO. To that point, I have paused during a sprint or contest to chat with a non member. It does several things, it portrays a good example for members of the club if we take the time to be courteous to non members and have a QSO, albeit short, but polite. It allows me to make a new friend and maybe bring a new member into our fold. In my book, it is just the right thing to do.
For me, sprints and contest are not about winning or placing, it is about having fun, making contacts, and meeting new friends. So if you ever hear me calling CQ FISTS or CQ SKCC or CQ SKS, do not hesitate to call me. Mark, KJ7BS Glendale, AZ Editor, The SKCC Centurion Elecraft K2 S/N 0539 Fists # 2972 CC 1806 SKCC # 2240 C56 T20 QRP-ARCI # 12647 AZ ScQRPions COGRC Emergency Communications -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Pepperdine Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 8:32 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] restrictive CQs? SKCC,Fists etc. - protocol on who we can play with Well, I just gotta ask. It really seems a lot of the CQs I hear are CQ FISTS and CQ SKCC. Are these persons bothered if I reply and just want a QSO/rag chew/contact and don't need their number and won't send one in return - or don't favour a hand key? I just don't see the sense in sending numbers - and I really don't need to collect them. That's OK for those that do... but to not 'accept' those who don't? And the straight key guys.... do they really only want to have contacts with someone enamoured of the straight key. I have a number of old hand keys... they look nice, but my keyer and paddle are easier on the arm that has had a lot of jolts from carpentry/bicycle riding/motorcycle throttling.... I know I can pass them by I guess - but gee, I want to have a contact, plain and simple and it seems so many possible operator calls are restricting themselves to someone with a number or old fashioned key. Can't we just agree to all talk and THEN say, oh by the way I have a nice old key here I am using, or I have a number. Or maybe it should be - CQ FISTS? or CQ SK? - which is to say... I have a number if you want one but otherwise call me anyhow... or I use an old key and won't send all that fast with it (nice if you are afraid to have to QRS the fellow). Anyhow, not much of a rant as a query on protocols of calling and answering, as well as just wanting to be able to work a lot of fellows on the radio. Otherwise, I guess I will just have to let them alone in their respective sandboxes and go play with those who feel more open (wherever and whenever). I do realize they DO have their calling frequencies... but I am hearing more broadly than that. Seems to me to be a weird imbalance. On the other hand.... my copying of numbers is getting good from 'reading the mail' on those QSOs for practice :) tnx Brian Toronto VE3VAW _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
