Re: Confessions of a rookie
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Mike,
Very thorough and accurate dissertation. I think you're experiencing what many of us have felt and practiced.
Operating, and the use of strange and different software as well as a new mode is always fun and a challenge.
Sift carefully the responses you receive to queries for information and operating tips.
I won't say that anyone would steer you wrong with phony info. on purpose. But I will say that some information is more accurate than others. There are many amongst the membership that post nonsense just to see their call in print.
Enjoy the mode!...Enjoy the hobby!...The 070 Club is still the best with the most complete data and info base in the world of digital communications!
73,
Milt. N6MG
070-650
LONP #76
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Behr <behrcave@...> To: 070Club <070Club@groups.io> Sent: Wed, Jan 9, 2019 9:38 am Subject: [070Club] Confessions of a rookie Starting a new thread, since the one on PSK fest is getting pretty long...
I concur with N4GBK that “Our contests are fun and laid
back. Enjoy.”
Will you entertain some comments from a “newbie” to
PSK-31? I have been active in Ham Radio
only since 2016, and found my way (with no help) to PSK-31 in 2017. Although I am now comfortable with PSK-31 and
have a PODXS membership, I still consider myself very much a rookie with lots
to learn in digital operation. Many of
my QSOs have been with hams interested in helping me out, with comments on
signal quality or operating technique or just a friendly “welcome”. A few, unfortunately, have been grumpy,
impatient, or downright rude – and it’s those folks who discourage newcomers to
the hobby when we really need to be encouraging new blood.
I think that in amateur radio, we are often guilty of
thinking that others have the same interests as we do -- and become impatient
or frustrated when our expectations don’t match up. Some operators like to collect DX contacts,
and want only to exchange call signs and log the contact. Their “wham, bam, thank you ham” QSOs seem
unfriendly or even impolite to the folks who are looking for a rag-chew. Hard-core competitors can be so intent on
running up a score that they discourage the new folks who, even if they realize
a contest is underway may be unsure on how to participate or hesitant to do so.
When I answered “CQ PSKfest” last Saturday, I assumed the ham
on the other end was involved in the contest and, after establishing initial
contact, gave the contest exchange. But
when I saw only “CQ” and then after the initial exchange started receiving the
usual macros (or even better, actual typing), I was willing to chew the rag for
as long as it was fun. We shouldn’t
assume that just because we have a contest on a weekend, the bands are reserved
for contest use only. Some folks still
like to communicate, and with PSK-31 we certainly are not so constrained in
bandwidth that we can’t satisfy all interests.
So I’d encourage all of us (especially you more experienced
hams) to be willing to take a breather during the PSK contests, provide some
encouragement and education for the folks who may be new to amateur radio or
PSK-31 or unfamiliar with PODXS 070, and help others to have as much fun as you
are having in the hobby.
Mike W4BZM PODXS 070 #2653
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