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Author Topic: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)  (Read 14039 times)

K8PRG

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"CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« on: February 28, 2015, 06:47:48 AM »

When you hear that, does that mean the op is only interested in hearing from other SKCC members, and no one else need apply?
Contest going on?

I answered one the other night...I'm not a member, in fact I was using a paddle....but the op was kind enough to exchange pleasantries then promptly started CQing again. (oops)
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K8AXW

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2015, 08:59:21 AM »

Whenever I hear something like this or see that there is a contest on, I Google it and find out what it means and or what information is necessary to participate....even for one or two contacts.

If it's obviously a contest it's easy to Google "February ham radio contests."

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A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!

M0LEP

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2015, 10:04:57 AM »

I just have http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/weeklycont.php bookmarked. It usually tells me what to avoid, as far as contests go. It isn't always contests, though. Then it's a question of knowing what the rules are. "CQ SKCC" callers might only want to talk to SKCC members. "CQ SOTA" callers might be on mountain tops wanting to talk to anybody at all...
« Last Edit: February 28, 2015, 10:09:34 AM by M0LEP »
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N0IU

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2015, 11:26:18 AM »

I just have http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/weeklycont.php bookmarked. It usually tells me what to avoid, as far as contests go.

One man's poison is another man's meat! It may tell you what to avoid, but it tells me what contest I might be missing!
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K5MF

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2015, 11:35:55 AM »

It could be a contest a sprint or just someone working on CW and knowing that SKCC members will be gentle on a newbie.  To me, CQ SKCC de K5MF means I am calling any and only SKCC member.  CQ W0 de K5MF means I am calling only operators in 0 land.  CQ SOTA de K5MF means I am calling anyone ON A SUMMIT.  CQ CQ CQ de K5MF/P0 or CQ CQ CQ de K5MF/SOTA, or CQ CQ CQ de K5MF/W0D BB064 means I am calling anyone and working outside of my area.  The last one would indicate I am about to get arrested because I am on top of Mount Rushmore - that's a no no.  My understanding, and I have always lived by this, is if it comes before the de that is who you are calling.  If it comes after the de, you are clarifying your location i.e. portable in call area 0, on an unspecified summit, or on top of Mount Rushmore as shown above.  Of course you are free to say /P0 and then clarify "activating W0D/BB-064, summits on the air."  If you are working CW you will want to keep it as short as possible and still give adequate information about your location - CQ CQ CQ de K5MF/W0D BB064 K" will do it and others will know what you are talking about and where you are located.  Maybe I am wrong but that is the format I have always used and it seems to work out OK.

Tom/K5MF

 
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M0LEP

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2015, 12:26:36 PM »

CQ SOTA de K5MF means I am calling anyone ON A SUMMIT.

That's a good example of a case where knowing the rules of the specific game makes a difference. If you called "CQ SOTA de K5MF" you'd get folk asking you which summit you were on, because in SOTA it's (only) the activators who'll be calling CQ. If you hear "CQ SOTA" then you can assume the caller is on a summit somewhere and wanting contacts.

73, Rick M0LEP
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K8PRG

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2015, 02:14:22 PM »

OK...so I'm not taking the time to Google...I'm not sitting on a mountain top, and I don't want to be another man's meat.....any SKCC member weighing in??
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N4OI

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2015, 02:28:50 PM »

I do not chase the SKCC paper, but joined and got a number anyway (it's free!).  Good to give a point or two to the SKCC folks out there and practice with my old Vibroplex or straight key in the process.

73  ;D
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K5MF

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2015, 02:42:16 PM »

CQ SOTA de K5MF means I am calling anyone ON A SUMMIT.

That's a good example of a case where knowing the rules of the specific game makes a difference. If you called "CQ SOTA de K5MF" you'd get folk asking you which summit you were on, because in SOTA it's (only) the activators who'll be calling CQ. If you hear "CQ SOTA" then you can assume the caller is on a summit somewhere and wanting contacts.

73, Rick M0LEP

I agree somewhat.  No doubt other stations will attempt to make a contact, but in my opinion that would be incorrect operating procedures.  There are times when a SOTA operator only wants to to talk with other SOTA activators, we do this on designated SOTA days or if we know there are other SOTA activators within shouting distance, in this case a CQ SOTA to me means that I am looking for a contact with another mountain topper and all others should stand by.  If I am not successful with a summit to summit contact, then I will put out a general CQ for any chasers listening.  

But you are correct, anytime a CQ includes the SOTA designation, it usually results in a mini-pile up.  In that case I will just inform the group that I am looking for other SOTA activators and all others should stand by.  Or I will just say, "Listening for SOTA activators only at this time" or something like that.  If chasers persist and refuse to stop calling, I will just ignore them for the remainder of the activation and they won't get a contact. Sometimes I will just flat out tell them to go away because I am not giving them a contact due to their bullying behavior.  I think if more DX and special event operators adopted this policy and just say, "I am looking for X only and if anyone else calls me you will never get in the log," then maybe some of this QRM nonsense will die down.  Anyway, that's my opinion.  Thanks for the input.  It's all good!

So back to the original question, I am confident in saying that if someone is calling "CQ CQ CQ SKCC..."  They are looking for only SKCC contacts either for the paper or for the comfort of knowing they will be treated gently.  I would respond to that CQ because I am an SKCC member.  If I were not an SKCC member I would not respond.

73,

Tom/K5MF
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M0LEP

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2015, 02:10:28 AM »

There are times when a SOTA operator only wants to to talk with other SOTA activators, we do this on designated SOTA days or if we know there are other SOTA activators within shouting distance, in this case a CQ SOTA to me means that I am looking for a contact with another mountain topper and all others should stand by.  If I am not successful with a summit to summit contact, then I will put out a general CQ for any chasers listening.

Trying to use one style of call to mean two different things is a recipe for confusion, so, again, knowing the way the game is played makes a difference. A good SOTA activator wanting to call another SOTA activator will add "Summit to summit" (on phone) or "S2S" (in Morse) to indicate this. Good SOTA chasers will also recognise this and stand by while the two activators make contact.

73, Rick M0LEP
« Last Edit: March 01, 2015, 02:30:10 AM by M0LEP »
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KB2HSH

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2015, 01:53:20 PM »

I am a Straight Key Century Club member (#13171)...the club is all about manually sent CW...be it from a straight key...a bug...you get the idea.  When we call "CQ SKCC", we are looking to exchange SKCC numbers with other members.  You don't need to be a member to respond...we are ALL enthusiastic CW ops.  It's not even like 10-10...membership is FREE FOREVER.

There are many times that I call CQ SKCC and am answered by a non-member.  You know what?  It's all good.  I am having the best time of my life building my speed back up (CP-20...but can copy at 25-30 in my head).

www.skccgroup.com for more info.

73 de John KB2HSH
Springbrook, NY
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WI4P

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2015, 02:34:10 PM »

The first night of every month is straight key night for skcc members.  The idea is to encourage more cw activity and especially cw with a straight key, sideswiper or bug.  Anyone calling cw skcc will likely be a member and will be using one of the above keys and will be happy to talk to anyone, member or not.  This is not a contest.

The first full weekend after the 6th of the month is the skcc weekend sprintathon and is a very informal contest.  Listen for CQ WES de----.
The exchange is signal report, qth (state, province, dx entity), first name and skcc number or the word none if you are not a member.  There are no logs to submit, just an online report accessed from the skcc website.  They send a very nice certificate to first time participants.  I got mine last month.

Lifetime membership is free ( another nice piece of wallpaper ), there are cw mentors and many other benefits and activities.

73, de John, WI4P, skcc # 7796
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AA4Q

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2015, 10:58:48 AM »

I called CQ SKCC on 40 last night ended up with 3 QSOs (I used 4 different straight keys in those 3 QSOs, one was its first QSO, I do this for my own amusement, I collect the things) I set up Logger32 with a column for the other guy's SKCC # and a column for which key I am using in that QSO, again for my own amusement.

When I call CQ SKCC I mean "I'm playing with my straight keys, anyone can answer me! and by the way, I have an SKCC number to give out if you keep track of such things".

Later I plan to start a thread for discussion on the positives SKCC and SOTA have brought to Ham Radio.

AA4Q
#4061



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KF7ATL

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RE: "CQ SKCC...CQ SKCC" (??)
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2015, 07:25:07 PM »

I am an SKCC member. Someone calling CQ SKCC is looking for another SKCC member to exchange numbers with. That does not mean, however, that they won't QSO with someone who is not a member. In my case, I am happy to QSO with anyone who answers me, provided they are sending at a speed that I can copy.


Garth, KF7ATL
SKCC #5914T
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