Note: I have redacted names, callsigns and dates in the narrative
I was surprised to see an email titled "Interference with XXXX" in my inbox from a fellow operator. Here it is in its entirety. Note this was the second email (with a previous one nearly identical to this one. I am omitting that one for brevity)
Dear Ram,
I have to admit, I am a bit disappointed you started operating on the frequency I was using this evening. Especially with another SKCC member. I am operating a Special event Station (XXX) on x.044 @XX:XX this evening. Worst of all, you never first check to see if the frequency was clear (QRL?). If you had I would have zero beat to your freq to let you know I was there operating. Back in the day we all listened first, then put out a QRL. I realize with more crowded bands and younger hams getting their ticket in a weekend, and lack of ELMERS, it becomes paramount to be more courteous than ever. Since you took over the frequency I was operating, I will bow to you and stop operating the Special event station so you can operate your more important POTA. In the future, I kindly ask that you listen first, then send out a QRL to double check the frequency is in use before you just take it.
I was a little shaken. I was saying to myself what did you do? Questions started racing in my mind. Did I stomp on someone else? I always put out QRLs. Did I forget it that day? So hurriedly I look up the log and found that I was operating 500Hz above the frequency mentioned. Even though the tone of the email irritated me and made some unreasonable assumptions about my operations (such as not putting out QRLs) , I sent the following replies. Originally I had checked the wrong date and responded with the following. Subsequently after realizing that error, verified the date and time in question and sent the second email below.
I looked up RBN Again and only see me on 14044.5. I'm wondering if your filters were wider...
73
XXX,
Rechecked XXX XX. I see no spots for me on x44 for me around the time frame. All spots for me are on x44.5. Please see attached image. I usually shy away from round number frequencies especially when on the field. I typically operate 5w QRP or at most 10W on bad days. I was 10W that day with a simple wire antenna on the tree. As a QRP operator I have been run out of the frequency many a time by inconsiderate operators and contesters some of whom are old timers from the halcyon age you allude to. So let's not tar and feather the whole crop of newer operators as there are examples of bad operators of varying tenure and skills. I've learnt to grow a thicker skin than having to dwell on that too much.
Wishing you the best in the future.
Ram
KE8UEX
73
Note: Not posting the RBN image was attached to the email that indicated the frequency and dates I was operating on.
I was hoping this clarification should be sufficient. However, I get a response indicating that operating 500Hz above on CW is considered stomping on the frequency 500Hz below. The request now seems to be that I should stay 1KHz from his station. He also acknowledged he heard my QRL and walks back his early accusation of me not doing so. Instead of saying sorry he goes on to patronize me for putting out the QRL
Hello Ram,
I can understand your response, however, the confusion lies in that I was the one on xx.044 holding QSO's for the special event, not you, In looking at my notes I did hear you start out with QRL, which I replied to let you know I was operating 500Hz below you then you started calling CQ pushing me off a frequency because of other stations not zero beat, which got to the point I had to QSY off. I think the issue may lay in if you were using a CW filter? If you were and most CW filters are usually set around 2-300Hz, which means your filters tight response you would not have heard me because I was out of your window. All I am suggesting, in the future maybe open up your filter a bit when putting out a QRL. I commend you for doing that. As crowded as the bands are today because we now have to share our coveted bands with Chicken banders (CB'ers). I guess, really no harm done since I did a lot of QSO's volunteering for the week long special event station and was only kicked off the frequency once. Hahaha! I appreciate your reply.
Hmm... the bands must have been especially favorable for me as a 10W station to push out a QRO special event station 500Hz away! Needless to say, this reply irked me further as the as he still insists I was in the wrong. Other than the suggestion about widening the filter the patronizing/dismissive attitude added to the irritation. I sent the following reply. Note it is split into two emails because the send button was hit accidentally during composition
xxx,
You said: the confusion lies in that I was the one on x.044...
There is no confusion here. I clearly understood your original missive. I am responding to your unjust accusations you raised in your original email.
You said: I am a bit disappointed you started operating on the frequency I was using this evening.
This is clearly not borne out by the evidence I have presented. Operating 500Hz above you on CW is in no way operating on your frequency. This is at the highest end of ARRL recommendations for separation of 150-500Hz separation between stations. This should accommodate even the most egregious non zero-beaters.
You said: Worst of all, you never first check to see if the frequency was clear (QRL?).
I see that you recanted this in the subsequent email. I understand apologizing is hard, but I appreciate you conceding that this was also an unfounded accusation not based on facts.
You said: ... it becomes paramount to be more courteous than ever... I will bow to you and stop operating the Special event station so you can operate your more important POTA
Courtesy should extend beyond the air. While I understand the irritation of operating in crowded bands, I respectfully push back on the tone in your original email. I'm sure if you were sitting across from me you would not have used that tone. I'm not sure where the condescension for POTA operations come from given that you're an active POTA hunter as well. I also believe operating special event station does not confer any special privileges on the amateur bands.
You said in the later email: All I am suggesting, in the future maybe open up your filter a bit when putting out a QRL
A good suggestion that I may consider especially when expecting a lot of vintage gears on the air. I still do believe expecting a 1MHz separation for CW operations seems a little bit excessive.
You said: we now have to share our coveted bands with Chicken banders (CB'ers)
You said: really no harm done since I did a lot of QSO's volunteering for the week long special event
I am glad that you had a successful event. I did have a great outing at the park that day as well. I still wonder if QSYing was such a non event, what prompted the vitriolic email in the first place.
===== THE SECOND EMAIL TO COMPLETE THE ONE ABOVE
xxx,
Sorry the previous reply was unfinished. Few corrections and the completion of the email follows:
I said: . I still do believe expecting a 1MHz separation for CW operations seems a little bit excessive
It should read 1KHz
You said: we now have to share our coveted bands with Chicken banders (CB'ers)
I try to stay away from in-group and out-group thinking. We amateur radio operators work with what we have been granted
Hope you have fun on the air
73
Ram
KE8UEX
To which I got the classiest of replies from a courteous old-timer.
It's clear we think differently, and no sense wasting anymore of my time with you.
This goes on to prove age and wisdom does not equate to class. If this operator believes he is trying to educate other hams, taking a softer tone initially would probably fall on more receptive ears. For whatever it is worth, this operator has impressive credentials in the QRZ page which I respect. His sense of entitlement... I do not.
I responded with the following. What would you have done?
XXX.
Sorry you feel that way. Wish you the very best
Ram
73
KE8UEX
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