well i for one am glad someone brought this up, but i think the problem isn't as easy to solve as suggesting other freqs to use.
the real problem lies with the operators themselves.
People don't QSY pretty much ever anymore, and the extent of the conversation exists in the call and the response.
It seems as though everyone has caught a case of mic fright, and as soon as someone says "i copy you ####" it is followed by, "you're soundin' real choice up here in the buckeye! Have a fine one!"
and that is the end of the conversation!!!
It's as if there are a bunch of people in this hobby who like to use their equipment, but don't have anything to say!
I find this very frustrating as is probably evident in my use of exclamation marks LOL.
When i make a skip contact, i like to treat it just like i do talking to locals, and will try to start a conversation about something. usually that something is radio related.
many times the person on the other end is audibly nervous and is acting like they just want to back out of the conversation (no, i am not boring LOL) and get back to just calling out peoples' numbers all day long.
well if that's all you do on the radio when skip is in is call out numbers, get a response, and then move on, then what is the point?
there are no CB log books that will get you a certificate on the wall.
no one sends QSL cards anymore on CB.
no one cares how many peoples' numbers you contacted in one day.
but still, 95% of the conversations on 38LSB go something like this:
"how bout it skipland, you got 666 here in hades town and we're tryin!"
"hey 666, you're coming in loud with good audio here in space town. triple 7 said that"
"thanks for the flowers triple 7, you're sounding choice down here. Well mother nature is puttin' a hurt on us and we're startin' to lose ya. we're gonna back it down now and say good numbers to you"
and that's it! then about 2 minutes later, 666 will be back on the channel saying the same thing again, and triple 7 can still hear him just fine. triple 7 starts wondering wny 666 backed off the conversation so quickly seeing as how conditions are holding up just fine for an actual conversation.
this past weekend we had skip from the southwest to the northwest pretty much all day and night, and i was able to have some great conversations with some local groups even though i was in the DX.
I think the answer is to start making fun of people who 'quick key' and run away.
why in the heck did you get into the radio hobby if you don't like to talk to people?
ok im just kidding there. kind of...
i understand how it is when it's your first year and you get nervous when someone actually answers you, but most of us have been out here for 20+ years.
WTF!
thanks for giving me a platform to rant on this subject.
In all reality, those of us who are on internet forums need to get to those that don't use them, and try to get these points across to those people.
oh and just forget about the facebook crowd. they are better left just on facebook.
LC
