We have a winner....
I have noticed this correlation with cluster spots and unsportsmanlike conduct as well: In the CQ160 contest last month, EA5RS was calling CQ. I found him on a routine sweep of the band. Perhaps 3 other stations and I were calling him; he wasn't hearing well. At some point a considerate op sent out a QRL? nearby, close enough to pass through my 200hz filter. I sent R DX and he ceased transmitting. On the next go-round with the EA, I sent his full call in case anyone else thought the frequency was clear. Within 30 seconds, an unruly pile-up commenced. After several minutes of nearly continuous calling by ops who clearly could not hear him, the EA went silent. About 5 minutes later I found him again, 5 KHz down the band. This time I refrained from sending his call. Never did work him, but at least some North American hams were able to. He was the same signal strength or better, yet no pile-up this time. On the other hand, there were many instances of great operating discipline heard last weekend. The Maritnique op (Forget the call, FM5-something) had a particularly well-behaved pile-up. If he sent a partial call, everyone else stayed silent until the QSO was finished or a QRZ? was issued. It was a thing of beauty. This was the norm, rather than the exception. Top Band may be getting worse, but it's still a rather nice neighborhood relative to many other bands. 73 Jeff, W0ODS >________________________________ > > >So, in these times of "I want it all at no effort", let's raise the bar. >Create new thresholds, filters etc. at which only serious new ops will get >through. > >Close all DX clusters for Topband; yeah hardly realstic, I know. >But.. >Do not spot on the cluster anymore. > >73 Mark, PA5MW > > > _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
