I am very sorry about the big blunder I made when I returned to the band at
about 0212 UTC this morning. When I started up on 1828.5, I thought I had set
the rig for split. (I am normally in the split mode even before I announce a
split so I can fine tune the receiver with the large knob instead of using the
small RIT knob.) Only many CQ's after I had announced a split did I discover
that I was in simplex. No doubt, a number of stations missed a contact because
of that stupid mistake. I am very embarrassed about it and regret the addition
of even more frustration for those trying to work me.
The TS-440SAT that I used until about a year ago only required hitting two
push buttons to get set up for split. The old TS-930 I use now has a push
button for A=B, but I have to turn a knob to activate the split. That has
tripped me up a few times previously since I started using the TS-930, but this
incident was by far the most embarrassing one.
I didn't notice the problem on the frequency display for a long time. I face
away from the rig most of the time while operating because my computer is to
one side.
My sincerest apologies to those whose moment in the spotlight passed while I
was operating in error.
I had stopped earlier at about 0030 UTC because I was not hearing any NA
stations. I think I probably missed a period of good signals from NA. When I
came back to the shack to check the band around 0205 UTC, I heard some good
signals from US stations that were calling a station above 1830 kHz. By the
time got tuned up at 1828.5, conditions had apparently declined.
I had constant QRN grind with heavy static crashes superimposed. Besides
those who lost out because of my operating error, several missed contacts
because I couldn't induce them to give me the many repeats I needed to assemble
their call sign through the static crashes. There were others again who wasted
their time in the spotlight sending many RST's every time I queried their
partial call instead of giving me the numerous call sign repeats I needed. They
faded away before we could complete the QSO. Please save the RST's until I
have your call sign. RST's are much easier to make out in the noise than
letters.
Partly my fault this time, it was not a very productive period of operation.
I logged only about 17 stations in the USA along with some SA and EU stations.
73,
Charles Lewis - S9SS
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