2011 Field Day CW Protocol

[Mudfoot]

Hello,

A local club has asked me to operate CW for their event this year. I never contest and have rarely attended any field day events. All of my CW contacts are typical ragchew type QSO's so I am a little green on proper FD procedures.

I have asked several members on what bare bones traffic is passed and have gotten differing answers. I like to keep my transmissions short and to the point.

What calling "strings" do you guys use for field day?

I do not like to repeat callsigns back and forth (after the intitial ID) and pound out 30-50 CQ's before my callsign like some ops. I admit I have my own style, but I do keep it legal.

Mark~AC8EO

 

[N0NB]

Mark, I presume you figured it out.

The protocol is not much different than any contest and generally goes something like this:

W0GCJ: CQ FD W0GCJ

AC8EO: AC8EO

W0GCJ: AC8EO 1A KS

AC8EO: R 3A OH

W0GCJ: TU CQ FD W0GCJ

And on it goes. Some ops add more to their end of the exchange such as TU by the S&P station and BK at the end of each transmission, etc.

BTW, I see you're from Bremen, OH. I grew up and still farm just outside of Bremen, KS!

 

[Mudfoot]

Hello and Tnx fer reply.

I just listened for a few and got the jest of things.

I made 64 contacts...

I was surprised at the lack of local activity on 6 and 10. I think I only made four contacts on 10 and they were out of state. There were alot of obnoxious ops though. I think I'll pass next year.

I've never heard of Bremen, KS. Is it a small town?

73

 

[N0NB]

Yes, it's quite small, perhaps 45 residents or so but it boasts a bank branch, an insurance company, post office, part-time tavern, and part time (harvest only) grain elevator.

 

[Hutch]

Obnoxious cw ops? Didn't know they existed. If you want to do the hobby a favor you might like to change that idea, rather than surrender the bands to those the operate poorly, why don't you make it a point to go out and operate properly so that some my learn from your example.

What exactly did you find that was obnoxious?

 

[Mudfoot]

Obnoxious cw ops? Didn't know they existed.

They be out there...

Quite a few were acting as if FD was a contest. If your trying to work a busy station: can't you take a few seconds to zero beat that station?

I heard an OP in Michigan tell an Indiana station he didn't have time to slow down when he was requested to QRS. Of course, he replied at a speed the poor OP couldn't copy. I then worked the clown and asked him what his hurry was. I didn't get a reply and just assumed he spun the dial in shame and moved on since the freq. stayed quiet. What a turd!

As stated in my post, I do not contest and have never attended many field day events. The local club did not have anybody to work CW so I volunteered. I spend most evenings rag chewing with friends and family on CW. When mobile, I like to chew the fat while driving down the road.

I have operated CW since 1978 after being trained by Uncle Sam. It is my preferred method, but I also enjoy phone and local packet. I have elmered many HAM's, old and young alike in learning CW. I teach using the KOCH methed.

Even though I operate at high speed, I always slow down for others cause I ain't in no hurry.

Anyway, FD kinda turned me off this year...