May 26, 2014 - Oh no, the 10M "lid" is back with a pre-recorded message! Moving onward.
July 1, 2013 - 28 MHz had limited active this afternoon, but there were a few "openings" on the band. It seemed like a good opportunity to operate QRP from my backyard.
There was a (former) Ten-Ten operator from Georgia who had been calling CQ for quite a while. (Note: an internet search gives reports that 10-10 International revoked the membership of this radio amateur just 22 days after my regretful encounter in 2013.)
I checked his call on QRZ.com and read the 10-10 International website. I've never applied for membership with this group, so curiosity was piqued.
As anticipated, the 10-10 mission is straight forward:
"Ten-Ten International Net, or 10-10 for short, is an organization of amateur radio operators dedicated to maintaining high levels of amateur radio communications on the 10-meter amateur band (28.0-29.7 MHz)."
Just as I figured! 10-10 is committed to expanding amateur use of the spectrum and fostering high levels of radio amateur operating practices on ten meters. I can get "on board" with this -- promote 10 Meter activity, make an intentional contact with a 10-10 member and test my QRP gear in the process -- so I responded to the operator calling CQ. This was going to be the first 10-10 number in my log. Ahhh, fate.
The operator in Georgia replied after two or three QRP calls. Now it takes a lot to "curl my hair," yet this contact was destined to become an "epic fail." This fellow stopped his pre-recorded "CQ" -- a seemingly endless loop -- and then started to mock the use of five watts. I thought it must be a joke, a little teasing. He stated there was "too much information that had to be exchanged ..." and that he couldn't be troubled (using a jeering tone) "...with a little, itty cue-are-pee" station. He implied it would be too bothersome to attempt the required exchange and then dismissed my call. For a brief moment, it left me feeling as though I'd been a nuisance.
Would it be better if I went inside can called with 100 watts? Maybe 1Kw? Was that needed to keep him interested. And then I "came to" and realized all I did was respond to his call for any radio amateur.
Strange: it seems our presupposition about enhancing spectrum use and fostering "best practices" were, in this instance, worlds apart. Without pause, this fellow resumed his pre-recorded CQ.
Am I too sensitive? No, I don't think so. This is bye-gones. The thrill of amateur radio for me abides in the means (the process of working to make a QSO with all the given variables) rather than solely focusing on the ends (completing the task of collecting reports for a certificate). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy earning awards, competition, etc. As an avid DXer, I actively seek DXCC entities (although at a more leisurely pace than most.) But really, this interaction didn't "score" in category of "fostering high levels of radio amateur operating practices on ten meters."
Looking up the mission of 10-10 was informative. And this was likely a "one off" encounter, not the typical behavior of 10-10 members. I'd like to think there were other more important issues that influenced his response -- maybe he had a bad day. I hope this doesn't reflect this guys overall operation practice, because he sure didn't exemplify my understanding of radio amateur fellowship.
Cue the pre-recorded "buh-bye" to the Georgian windbag. I'll consider 10-10 another day. In the meanwhile, I'll keep tuning the VFO to meet more like-minded hams. QRZ?
(Addendum: I met a delightful ham on six meters that same afternoon. We had a good conversation and -- rather than mocking my QRP status -- this op even adjusted his transmission output power so we both could log a successful 2-way QRP Phone contact. That's more like it!)
May 26, 2014 - Oh no, the 10M "lid" is back with a pre-recorded message! Moving onward.July 1, 2013 - 28 MHz had limited active this afternoon, but there were a few "openings" on the band. It seemed like a good opportunity to operate QRP from my backyard.
There was a (former) Ten-Ten operator from Georgia who had been calling CQ for quite a while. (Note: an internet search gives reports that 10-10 International revoked the membership of this radio amateur just 22 days after my regretful encounter in 2013.)
I checked his call on QRZ.com and read the 10-10 International website. I've never applied for membership with this group, so curiosity was piqued.
I checked his call on QRZ.com and read the 10-10 International website. I've never applied for membership with this group, so curiosity was piqued.
As anticipated, the 10-10 mission is straight forward:
"Ten-Ten International Net, or 10-10 for short, is an organization of amateur radio operators dedicated to maintaining high levels of amateur radio communications on the 10-meter amateur band (28.0-29.7 MHz)."
Just as I figured! 10-10 is committed to expanding amateur use of the spectrum and fostering high levels of radio amateur operating practices on ten meters. I can get "on board" with this -- promote 10 Meter activity, make an intentional contact with a 10-10 member and test my QRP gear in the process -- so I responded to the operator calling CQ. This was going to be the first 10-10 number in my log. Ahhh, fate.
The operator in Georgia replied after two or three QRP calls. Now it takes a lot to "curl my hair," yet this contact was destined to become an "epic fail." This fellow stopped his pre-recorded "CQ" -- a seemingly endless loop -- and then started to mock the use of five watts. I thought it must be a joke, a little teasing. He stated there was "too much information that had to be exchanged ..." and that he couldn't be troubled (using a jeering tone) "...with a little, itty cue-are-pee" station. He implied it would be too bothersome to attempt the required exchange and then dismissed my call. For a brief moment, it left me feeling as though I'd been a nuisance.
Would it be better if I went inside can called with 100 watts? Maybe 1Kw? Was that needed to keep him interested. And then I "came to" and realized all I did was respond to his call for any radio amateur.
Strange: it seems our presupposition about enhancing spectrum use and fostering "best practices" were, in this instance, worlds apart. Without pause, this fellow resumed his pre-recorded CQ.
Am I too sensitive? No, I don't think so. This is bye-gones. The thrill of amateur radio for me abides in the means (the process of working to make a QSO with all the given variables) rather than solely focusing on the ends (completing the task of collecting reports for a certificate). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy earning awards, competition, etc. As an avid DXer, I actively seek DXCC entities (although at a more leisurely pace than most.) But really, this interaction didn't "score" in category of "fostering high levels of radio amateur operating practices on ten meters."
Looking up the mission of 10-10 was informative. And this was likely a "one off" encounter, not the typical behavior of 10-10 members. I'd like to think there were other more important issues that influenced his response -- maybe he had a bad day. I hope this doesn't reflect this guys overall operation practice, because he sure didn't exemplify my understanding of radio amateur fellowship.
Cue the pre-recorded "buh-bye" to the Georgian windbag. I'll consider 10-10 another day. In the meanwhile, I'll keep tuning the VFO to meet more like-minded hams. QRZ?
(Addendum: I met a delightful ham on six meters that same afternoon. We had a good conversation and -- rather than mocking my QRP status -- this op even adjusted his transmission output power so we both could log a successful 2-way QRP Phone contact. That's more like it!)
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