I'm pretty new to HF work, here's what I mean. I think that we use USB on one set of bands we use USB and on another set we use LSB. I don't think it's a law, just kind of a generally accepted agreement, right?
Are there other soft rules for HF bands? For example, is 40m used more for DX while 17m is more used for regional work? I completely made up that example. ;-)
Anyway, are the HF bands broken up in any ways like this?
One other thing is that when on 20 and needing to tune either the tuner of the amp it shal be done on 14.313.
This is especially necessary when tuning a PVC antenna (no metal.) Keep the key down for as long as it takes to tune, making certain you're tuned to 14.313.
You will rapidly find that 80M Sideband is divided up into channels that are owned by "nets' and groups of people that " Are always here at this time ". Same with some parts of 40M like 7.195. These people will even go 3 or 4 Khz to break into your conversation to let you know that you are 'interfering with their net' because their 40 year old gear is so broad that they cant hear the other guy running a KW on their net bcause of your 100W and a dipole 3Khz lower. You can call cq on a dead frequency on 80 ( after inquiring if the frequency is in use 3 times ) and get a break in within 5 minutes or less letting you know who really owns the frequency.
Also dont make the mistake of having a QSO on a frequency W1AW of the ARRL will be sending bulletins on - they dont listen before transmitting and will come up right on top of you regardless - same as some of the robot digital stations that mess up the CW spectrum.
Please also use the correct mode - this week a 'gentleman' on 20M PSK advised me to " Eat S*** and DIE BANDWIDTH HOG " because I chose to use PSK63 to call CQ for foreigh stations that like the mode and he felt that everyone needed to be using PSK31. Funny it must have frustrated the heck out of him when I kept making PSK63 contacts through his attempts to jam me.
You will find that if you do not obey the commands of the operator whose rules you are breaking you will 90% of the time get jammed. That is called ' normal practice ' these days it appears. You will find that on 60 Meters if you use channel 5 for a US contact when someone is wanting to use it for the " DX Window" even if no DX is present !
This even goes for established Digital frequencies like 7035 where you will hear a CW op sending in CW that " this is a CW band you $*&*%&* need to QSY " and trying to jam PSK signals if he could figure out where to tune his rig.
Yep , plenty of helpful people out there will assist you in understanding the rules.
Keyboard warriors mate. I'd try never to be rude in face to face, or online. If someone has siad something that indicates they may not know something, I'll try and put them right.
"The world is my country and to do good is my religion" - Thomas Paine, pamphleteer, radical, intellectual and author - 1737-1809.
Scott Carpenter - motorcyclist, banjo picker, piper, surfer and Skeptic.
SKCC 9008
Originally Posted by K9ROC
- VWOA.org - Fists #15529 - SKCC #7327 - NAQCC #6496... ex CW operator WLO / KLB - retired Fed. Gov't.
