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Chuck,
While
I agree with you that blacklisting is a little extreme (whether or not extreme
measures are warranted being another issue), I disagre with you that it's pure
competition.
When
the DX calls "CQ" or "QRZ," that's one thing. Free for all, may the best
signal win. Fair enough.
But
when the DX calls "Ones only" or "The station ending Papa Tango only," that's
different. If you're not in the subset being called, you shouldn't be
transmitting. Period. That's simply good operating practice.
And we're required to use good operating
practices. (And if it's not required, it should be done
anyway).
DX'ing
is competition, but there is or was also a level of sportsmanship
involved. Simple courtesy. Gentlemanly behavior. If you're not
called or asked to stand by, don't call and stand by.
Sadly,
we have a few too many DX'ers with the "anything goes" and "all out war" and
related attitudes. Now think for a moment about what this means.
What good does it be to be the biggest and baddest DX'er on the block, who can
wipe out a pileup at will, if it gets you the reputation of a rude, obnoxious
jerk (and stronger words that can not be used on this reflector). What
good is it to be "the best" if you're also despised in the process?
Just
look at professional sports... Barry Bonds and Terrel Owens are two good
examples of what I'm talking about. They are or were amongst the best of
the best of the best in their sports. and they are close to universally despised
as jerks, low-lifes, and generally poor people. If they play for the team
you root for, you might cheer them on the field, but would really want one of
these egomaniacs in your home visiting with your family? And when
they leave their sports for good, how will they be remembered? For their
accomplishments? Sure, but with an asterix because of HOW they played the
game.
Or
think of our own hobby. To all but the newest DX'ers, there are certain
names that immediately bring up an infamous rememberence. For example,
"Romeo." Or "Dr. Don Miller." Arguably one of the best
operators of their days, but what they did will forever tarnish their
reputations.
I
remember a few years ago when there was a particular African station who was on
80 CW for a few weeks, trying to work US and VE stations. The window of 80
for him (for a variety of reasons) was under a half hour every night. Yet
every night, there was always one station who just HAD to work him, and work him
first, every night. Ignoring him just meant the pileup got
frustrated. Why did he do it? As I remember, the word back from
someone who asked him boiled down to "because I can!" How sad that he was
so out of self-control that he had to prove his self-worth every night,
regardless of the cost.
Poor
operating practices should neither be recognized nor rewarded.
And
personally, I wouldn't blacklist someone per se. But I'd make a note of
the call, as mistakes and accidents and propagation shifts and misunderstandings
happen. Persistant offenders, thnough, might just have to wait awhile
for their ultimate reward (ie a QSL card).
73,
ron w3wn
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- [DX-CHAT] Out of turn callers Chuck Degard
- Re: [DX-CHAT] Out of turn callers Norm Gertz
- RE: [DX-CHAT] Out of turn callers Ron Notarius W3WN
- Re: [DX-CHAT] Out of turn callers Zack Widup
