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To use it, or abuse it?
2011-11-22 17:02 |
Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 5 |
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CQ, CQ......
Ok, so we got that out of the way. I guess it's still safe to call for CQ? Afterall, we are partly using this system as a means of introducing the world of "Ham" to future amateur radio operators are we not? On Hamsphere, a newbie can get used to using a radio set (albeit a virtual one), and they can become familiar with the codes, the bands, the etiquette involved - hopefully establishing an interest large enough to want to take things further, and maybe apply for a working licence. Here, the new user (or the more experienced, licensed amateur operator) can chat and make friends from around the world, who all share the same interest: Amateur Radio. On Hamsphere, radio operators do not have to worry about planning permissions for masts, yagi beams and whether ot not they are interfering with next doors TV. -------------------------------------------------------------- Where is this going? Well, I'll tell you. I'm not happy. I don't like change. Especially when that change is, (and has been) a part of amateur radio etiquette for more years than I've been alive. And especially when that change cannot be given a justifiable reason. What's got me hot under the collar? It's the use of "QSK" - or rather the NON use of it! It's now written in red and we are now told NOT to use it. I personally was told off (politely) from an admin last night, that "it is no longer permitted to use QSK when "breaking into a QSO". Strange, as we are allowed to still use the term "QSO". (Why not just call it chat? - hi hi) We are asked instead to break in by stating our call sign. Now, as I have a long sign, it will take time to read out, and I guarantee that NO-ONE will catch it first time round - and that means, I (and many others) will have to repeat it. Not being "allowed" to use QSK has actually angered me to a certain degree. What is the reason for this change? Using QSK is professional, and IS part of the ham radio dialogue. --------------------------------------------------------------- SCENARIO: Saying QSK, is a damn sight quicker to say, and uses less band/interuption time as saying 108 Hotel Sierra 2107. Example: I'm on 10 mtrs and I request "QSK......" The reply would be: "QSK QRZ", THEN I can come back with my call sign. ---------------------------------------------------------- But no! The new "rule" is I have to burst in with my full call sign. "108 Hotel Sierra 2107" (pauses to be introduced) The reply would then be: "we have another member thats trying to come in...sorry, we didn't catch your call sign, so, could that caller come back with it please......?" "YES, this is 108 HS 2107....I knew you'd not catch it first time, and that is why I should have just said QSK." With so many users from other countries, who are not quick with the differing accents, they would struggle to catch a full sign. QSK is international, and every ham radio country either use it, or are familiar with the term. ------------------------------------------------------------ So, as said last night, I shall STILL use QSK, as it is THE proper recognised thing to do to break into a QSO. I dare-say that many other radio users, and hopefully some old timers, will agree with me. All those that DO agree, please voice your views below. All those who DON'T agree with the change can also leave an opinion, but you will have to justify your comment and reason for not wanting to use QSK on a Ham Radio software program. ------------------------------------------------------------ Hamsphere is keeping the spirit of ham radio alive via Voip, and also prides itself on teaching would be amatuers. It's header is "The Virtual Ham Radio Experience". And, with that quote in mind, as I have had many years of radio experience, I am going to stick to my guns, and carry on the tradition Ham Radio, and the use of "QSK". Feel free to tell me off, should I use QSK when requesting a part in your ongoing QSO. I know the "rule", and yes, I am prepared to break it. It would be a sad day indeed, if admin was to ban me from using hamsphere, for the sake of my using professional amateur radio etiquette. QSL? CQ Zone: 14 - Grid Square IO87 - Long: 57 40'.00"N - Latt: 02 31' 15"W |
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Re: To use it, or abuse it?
2011-12-02 04:50 |
Registered: 14 years ago Posts: 12 |
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Point 1: Q Signals are for use with CW (Morse code), not voice. This is a long documented and well-established operating practice. The earliest "operating practices" documents produced by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) clearly state this simple fact.
I won't dispute the fact that over the decades many operators have used Q signals while operating voice. However, plain speech should be used under all circumstances when using voice in "amateur" operations. There are accepted "prosigns" for voice operation but Q signals are not among them and never have been. [Prosigns are like code words or abbreviations that may be short to say but whose meaning is somewhat more lengthy.] There is an agreed international list of Q signals published but such codes are specifically meant to be used in CW (Morse code) operations only. Point 2: Using QSK instead of your callsign actually wastes time because your callsign is the ultimate data the receiving station needs. Having to ask you for your callsign when you use QSK takes as much time as simply speaking your callsign clearly to begin with. Saying "1 Zero 8" "HS" "2 1 0 7" doesn't take very long at all. If you speak slowly and clearly, there isn't any reason why someone can't copy that in one transmission. Some operators have begun using the numerical suffix of their callsign instead of QSK. This is a good start, I suppose, but the full callsign is a better practice. Point 3: The poor practice of "quick keying" or not leaving 3 to 5 seconds between transmissions contributes to the belief that one must quickly (and unintelligibly) blast out one's callsign. If more operators would simply count to 3 before keying their Hamsphere transceiver, plenty of time would be available for someone to drop their full callsign in at a comfortable and easy to copy speed. Point 4: What's the rush?? Engaging in a conversation on Hamsphere is not (normally) a contest. How much time must we save when casually operating voice on Hamsphere? I say, "None!" Anyone who has heard me on the system knows I speak slowly and clearly...perhaps to a fault. Yet with so many operators from around the world, for whom English (the only language I speak) is not their native tongue, my slow, clear and steady delivery has been consistently lauded. With so much appreciation for my plain speech, it's clearly evident that this is a good practice. By "clear speech" I mean "not using Q signals at all." Considering that the vast majority of Hamsphere users are not experienced radio or Amateur Radio operators, nothing is gained when using Q signals or any other codes, ciphers or shortcuts. Plain speech is always the best alternative especially if your mission is to communicate clearly. I believe that the whole QSK practice grew out of one operator using QSK to break into a conversation and many others, not knowing any better, simply emulated the practice thinking that it was correct. Interestingly, since the Hamsphere Code of Conduct was recently published, I've noticed that QSK is not used much anymore. Instead operators are doing the right thing by simply inserting their callsign between transmissions. This correct practice is now beginning to be copied by others. This is a very good thing, in my view. I've been a licensed Amateur Radio Operator for nearly 47 years. In all that time, the same rules have been in effect: 1. Q Signals are for Morse operation only. Plain speech always works best. 2. Pause a few seconds between each transmission to allow others to join the conversation (note I didn't say QSO!) 3. Speak slowly and clearly and fewer repeats will be necessary. 4. Adjust your transmit audio using the Hamsphere Echo Server to insure that your audio is clean and clear making it easy for others to understand you. Use the sound recording program built into your computer to record yourself and make sure your voice is loud and clear. Do everything you can to eliminate any background noises. Your voice should be the only thing heard when you transmit. Anything else in the background only makes it harder for the other party to understand you. Fan noise, echoes, others in the room speaking loudly, pet noises are all distracting and interfere with your ability to be understood. Make it easy for others to hear and understand what you say. The new Hamsphere "rule" against the use of QSK is completely in line with generally accepted and well documented proper operating practices for radio operators using voice mode. I applaud the effort to bring Hamsphere more in line with proper Amateur Radio operating practices. 73, Frank N. Haas KB4T in Florida USA |
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