Mobile HF activity on 20m… QRL? QSY!
Yesterday I was driving to work and heard a Norwegian ham pop on to 14.178 and call CQ. It was just prior to the HiFi SSB network starting. Once the hifi guys got on, chaos ensued.
LA2: “You guys should have listened. I had the frequency first.”
HiFi Guys: “No we had the frequency first. Besides, we’ve been meeting here for years.”
LA2: “No one owns a frequency. You know that. I was here first and so I have the frequency. You can move your net.”
HiFi Guys: “You certainly know that we meet here every day. We are appealing to you as a fellow ham and a gentleman to QSY.”
LA2: “You are welcome to move…. CQ North America. CQ North America. CQ DX.”
This sort of thing went on for most of my ride to work. It was like passing a car wreck - you don’t want to look but feel compelled to do so.
Who was right? Who was wrong?
In my opinion, both the LA2 and the net were wrong.
The HiFi SSB audio net has met on 14.178 MHz for years, however…
- The LA2 ham was clearly there first and had a strong signal into the US.
- Adjacent frequencies were open. They should have a plan-B frequency and use it instead when their primary freq is in use.
- No one “owns” a frequency. Sure, there are considerate operators frequency guides and these are great. http://www.arrl.org/FandES
/field/regulations/conop.pdf However, neither freq guides nor governments permit an individual or group to have sole ownership of frequencies not in use.
Sure, the LA2 was there first. So, technically, the freq was his. However…
- I’m guessing that he probably did know that the HiFi SSB guys met regularly on 14.178. He didn’t deny that when the HiFi guys pointed that out.
- He wasn’t in QSO the whole time. He’d eventually work someone over the top of the net, then continue to call CQ on top of it. He could have given up and moved on rather than feel that he had to make a point.
- Worse, today he came onto the exact same frequency and did the same thing over again.
This sort of operation on 20 meters sure makes ham radio look bad. Escalating ridiculous on-air feuds is a sure fire way to steer newcomers away from the hobby.