DX R_X

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A how to of what for, by Mike(aka Billy)Graham, K7CTW

Passing of an Era

As I sit here this morning writing this column, Bob KD1AW is sitting at the operating position working the New Hampshire QSO Party on 20 SSB. I am struck by his very courteous manner with even some very difficult to copy stations. His patience strikes me as unusual - unusual in the sense that you seldom hear courteous and patient operators on the airwaves anymore. It seems as if “Road Rage” has also taken over the ham bands, what with the type of conversations and discourteous remarks you hear all the time.

Two other recent events also drive home my lack of enthusiasm for some of today’s operating practices. Last year, the Hon. Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, passed away. And His Majesty, King Hussein of Jordan, JY1, has lapsed into a coma and is not expected to live. From my own personal experiences with these two exceptional hams, I can testify to the fact that they were true gentlemen and excellent ham operators.

When I was stationed in the Middle East and operating as MP4BJR/A9XO during the early 70’s, I had the honor to be called in a massive pileup by Barry. The QRM was terrible and as soon as some others heard his call, there was sheer pandemonium on the frequency. Many others would have given up in frustration and left the frequency. Not Barry. Not only was he very polite to some serious QRM’ers, but he even gave a few of them a report and promised to QSL, while at the same time carrying on a QSO with me. At the time I thought that all heck would break out on the frequency, but Barry patiently asked folks to please stand by while we completed our conversation. Sure enough, they did. Surprise! Surprise! That taught me a very valuable lesson in hamband etiquette. Barry and I continued to have QSO’s over the 3-plus years I was on Bahrain, and after I returned to the States I had several other QSO’s with him, and, as always, he attracted QRM like bees to honey. As recently as ‘94 or ‘95 I had one last QSO under my NE1V call, and he recalled our Bahrain QSO’s fondly. And through all QRM he maintained his “cool”.

His Majesty, King Hussein, JY1, would oftentimes join in on Thursday mornings on the Arabian Knights Net that I was a member of while on Bahrain, and he too suffered unbelievable QRM every time he was on the air with us. He was so diplomatic that it was a bit disconcerting. He was always gracious in his contacts and I never once heard him say an unkind word about the QRM.

I may be a bit premature to judge the quality of some operators, because this morning there were some real great and courteous operators giving us some contacts. But I truly believe that all too often we forget that ham radio isn’t just about making rapid-fire contacts or working the real rare one, or ragchewing with one’s cronies for hours on end. It’s also about bringing youth into the program, teaching courtesy by our own example, helping the handicapped ham with his/her station and antennas, lending support during emergencies, or participating in Public Service events. Given that we can discipline ourselves to act generously and with courtesy, we can go a long way towards setting the proper example for the aspiring new ham.