I have noticed some of these have begun appearing on the frequency that I used to use a lot along with a few others as our network channel and this is why not much has been heard of me on this frequency lately.
In fact I sometimes monitor during the day, but I will not come in generally until the night shift. I still use it occasionally during the day, but not so much now.
People who either do not give their call sign, or give it grudgingly and say something like my call for identification purposes is… irritate me. What is the problem with giving your call sign? We have to study to obtain our calls, surely we should be glad to give our call signs and remember while the people on frequency may know who you are, people sitting on the side waiting for a call sign often never hear a call.
I will not of course give any names here, or calls, but I was disappointed to find at least one of the folk I had a hand in training does not give his call sign, even when some fairly unsubtle hints were dropped,(but not by me.) In fact this chap came on some weeks ago while I was monitoring, while doing something else and he was there for 2.5 to 3 hours and not once did he give his call. The person who he was speaking to was not much better either ,as he only gave his call on entry and exit. As it happens both these people were m6’s, but I have heard or rather I haven’t heard the same from all licence classes.
Then there are the people who come on and start off fine, then as the audience increases they get more and more lackadaisical and in the end they degenerate to using ham radio effectively as CB, this is not what I took my licence for. So if I am on air and when called I don’t come back it might be that I am busy. or the person talking is breaking their licensing conditions. If I talk to such people particularly in the case of a lack of a call sign. I am breaking my licensing conditions by speaking to an unidentified station.
Everyone knows me, is not an acceptable response. The licensing conditions are quite clear and someone on the side may not know the unidentified station and should not talk to an unidentified station. No call no talk and the unidentified station should be ignored.
On the subject of call signs I err the other way. If anything I give my call to often. But I would rather be that way then not give it enough.
And then I have to mention the small minority of G stations who come on and ask totally ridiculous questions. We used to say to our foundation students there are no ridiculous questions and at foundation level this is true. But I don’t expect to hear G stations asking m6’s on air for an explanation of Ohms law and even SWR. In fairness to the M6’s they gave very concise and a accurate answers. In one case only to be told that the G station didn’t believe them. I personally would not embarrass myself by asking such nonsensical questions. If I had forgotten something I would have looked it up in my books. I have to doubt if this is actually a G station because he was asking such basic foundation questions on ohms law and SWR. Perhaps he is a pirate. Or perhaps someone else took his exam for him.
Now a few of us have had cause with this person I mention above to pull him up because he was just charging into peoples qso’s and putting a call out. All he had to do was ask if he could do this once brought in, but no he walked all over people on frequency. On these occasions he would not return when we had reminded him about his responsibilities under his licensing conditions and I had case to talk to him again recently Here is a transcript of what happened. I mention it only to head of the incorrect information that is bound to surface sooner or later I refer to him only as G0 and the other person as G4
Conversation took place between me and a g0 station at about 22:45 on 144.525 while I was static mobile.
I dare say different accounts will surface. And I am just setting the record straight while it is still fresh in my mind and before any possible conflicting reports begin to surface.
Me
G4 from 2e0svt
G0
Oh is this the calling channel then?
Me
G4 from 2e0svt
G0
Seems it must be
Me
G4 from 2e0svt. Having listened to the frequency before hand I know the frequency is clear.
G0
So do I, can’t we bury the hatchet Steve
Me
I suggest you read your licensing conditions. as to the other part. Well that depends on whether or not you are man enough to apologize. 2E0svt.
G0
I have nothing to apologise for.
me
Really, think back to when a friends wife died.
G0
I have spoken to him and he has no problem with me.
Me
It is not about him, it is between you and me.
GO
Can’t we just bury the hatchet and move on?
me
Apparently not. Look G0 I do not really like you and I do not want to talk to you. I suggest you and I just keep out of each others way.
GO well if that is what you want you have your wish
I think this bloke is a complete knowledge less idiot and this conversation did little to change my mind.
me
G4 from 2e0svt
Maybe if he had been man enough to apologise for the trouble he tried to cause on air, not to mention what he called me. Things just might have been a little different. but I doubt it. I will never like the bloke and will always do my best to avoid him, but it seems it upsets him that I will have sweet fa to do with him much than it does me
This transcript has been well publicised in case conflicting accounts appear as I have little doubt they will do.
