Disgusting manners / radio procedures

I fully aware that the title of this rant is strongly worded, but I believe it is high time that we question our operating procedures especially when it comes to chasing DX.

In just about each and every pile-up lately I saw the following behaviour:

The DX station hears a partial call and then responds along the line of “W1A?”, that seemingly is the green light for each and every station from the North pole to the South pole to send their call, over and over ad nauseam. 

Even worse than the previous example. The DX station replies to a station “W1AW 599" and  the callers continue calling. Are they: deaf, stupid, both deaf and stupid or just simply rude?

 

Do we now have we so little regard for others? What has happened to good manners and ham spirit? Have we degenerated into a bunch of unruly mongrels?

 

IMHO the DX stations should work these out of turn callers (get them of their backs), but they must not enter them into the log. Eventually the message will get through. 

Play by the rules or suffer the consequences

 

Pileup behaviour

This last week has been interesting. Working FT5ZM for an all-time new one was great. Amsterdam Island is well situated and one F2 hop away from South Africa.

As predicted by VOACAP it is/was very easy for me to work them. The predictions showed that we should have had no problem to work them 160m through 15m, but as it turns out we have had many openings on 12m and 10m as well.

The most memorable QSO was the single CW QRP QSO I made with them on 15m using my ZS2AA call.

I worked them with 5 watts and a wet noodle. Dropped my call only once, without resorting to using the /QRP suffix. Only after they replied did I add the /QRP suffix. This was while the pileup from EU and NA was still going strong.

This clearly shows how important it is to call at the right time and to know where the DX is listening.

What is it with the unruly/bad behaviour with the stations calling?

I cannot understand why anyone would continue calling, knowing full well that the DX station is trying to work someone else. The frightening thing is that it is not the “odd” station; it seems that there are many doing the same.

I honestly think it is time that the DX expedition operators teach transgressors a lesson. I.e. work them, but do not enter them in the log. Just maybe the idiots will eventually learn to behave in an appropriate manner.

We really don’t need these LID’s spoiling our fun. I am all for a bit of competitive spirit, but blatant disregard to the instructions given is simply unacceptable.

Working the DX pileup: Operating guide

 

I found the following video clip to be most informative:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=svLlfrFA-1E

It might seem like a bit of a joke, but it is not. The advice given IMHO is on the money.

I was very surprised to see that some of the poor behaviour being placed with the expedition operators, but the author makes 100% sense.

There is very good advice given for both the DX expedition operators as well as the DX chasers.