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Break? QSK? or What?
Topic Started: Wednesday, 13. July 2011, 11:54 (1,319 Views)
VoG
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In another Thread, a member mentioned an experience he once had on the 40m band when attempting to join a Net/Conversation ... I won't name the author as the last time I did that someone got annoyed that I'd quoted them off Thread, but in the original thread, the author said they were "told 'Break' was not the way to call in and therefore my call of Break would not be acknowledged"

. . . I am curious about this statement and wonder what the concensus of opinion is as to how one should attempt to join an ongoing Conversation or Net?

Surely, "QSK" is a CW/Morse term and if someone wanted to be a real anal-retentive Stickler for the Right-Way-to-Do-Things, then maybe it could be argued that such 'CW Codes' are not really appropriate for use in a Voice Contact?

So if one avoided technical mis-use of the CW Codes, what should one do? If I remember my Training properly, then I believe the answer is that you should simply announce your call-sign. But, as was mentioned in the earlier Thread, it is a heck of a mouthful to try to jabber-out, "Mike-Whisky-Zero-Papa - Charlie-Tango" in between two Overs. Even "Emm-Double-You-Zero-Pea-Sea- Tea" is a lot to squeeze in.

I've heard that you shouldn't use the double "Break-break" as (so I am told) in America that is a specific call demanding right of way for Official (Governemt, Military, Emergency Svcs, etc.) Radio Traffic. But I would certainly be happy to hear "Break!" during a QSO and would always respond with "Break acknowledged, stand by" or "Break station go ahead".

If I am trying to join an ongoing conversation I would normally call "Break, Mike Whisky Zero Pea-Sea-Tea" if there's time, or just "Break" if there's not. On 11m, I'd call with a shortened call-sign, "Break one-oh-five". Then, when acknowledged, I'd give the full call "Mike Wisky Zero Papa Charlie Tango" or "One Six Three Charlie Tango One Zero Five".
And before anyone reaches for the Hot-line to Ofcom: Yes, Those ARE my callsigns and Yes, I Do use an 11m callsign on FM DX and FM Nets.

Personally I don't like overuse of pseudo-morse expressions in voice and I find it easier to say "Weather" than "Whisky X-Ray" and "Location" rather than "Quebec Tango Hotel".
Even without the phonetic alphabet:
  • Saying "The Wear-The is cold" is actually easier than "The Dub-Bull-You-Ex is cold".
  • Likewise , "My Queue-Tea-Aitch is Cardiff" is no simpler than "My Low-Kay-Shun is Cardiff"
And don't even start me on people who SAY, "Aitch Eye, Aitch Eye" to indicate that they're laughing. If you're laughing then, err, why not laugh! :doh: It's a microphone, not a morse-key.

Sorry. I wandered-off there a moment. . . . But seriously, what are the opinions on how to join an ongoing conversation, group or net?
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Deleted User
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on 11 mtrs its side side or qsk on ham radio there supposed to leave a break to let some one get in we used to say qsk and if heard and there busy its answerad by qsk stand by it should be the same on ham bands to go strate through without a break is bad radio73s :cheers: :pirate: ps its called boxing the repeater.
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You are right......I simply say my call when attempting to 'break' into a net or conversation. An awful lot depends on the context of the net or QSO and the person running it. Most net controllers leave a gap for any 'breakers', particularly if the net has just started or if they want to widen the geographical area to make it more interesting DX-wise.

Trying to 'break' into a regular daily net i.e. same net controller, same ops is a different kettle of fish. These guys have seen it, been there and got the DXCC hanginng on the wall. In this case I just listen and see how the net controller handles anyone trying to 'break' in. Most times I end up just listening because there are no opportunities to get in. I ain't saying its right or wrong but when I come across nets which are almost impossible to break in, I usually just listen. I'm rarely active on TX anyway so for me its quite normal not to bother the 'break' thing.

I think things can go 'pear-shaped' when you really want to break in and you are impatient i.e. not observing that particular protocol for those particular nets or QSOs. The net controller (on a bad day) will probably chew your head off. What is confusing for newcomers is that the 'protocol' is rarely written down because different people have different thresholds for bringing people in. In general, QSK is appropriate for CB/Freeband but not for ham use. I'm still learning every day but a good listen before keying my mike generally saves me a lot of hassle. There is nothing 'mission critical' in ham radio its just a hobby, mostly for amateurs not professionals...there is always another day to try again.
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Miko
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Good question Steve and a good topic for debate. A quick "Break" is probably quickest, simplest and most effective. May not be everybodies idea of correct protocol, but what the heck, it's a hobby, I'm not looking for clearance to land my 747 at Heathrow. I sometimes use just the suffix letters, not in phonetics, particularly if the ops are known to me. In other cases, if the control allows the time, then it would be the full call. Never would and never have used "qsk" but would still acknowledge if someone used this term as I know they want to come in. as for telling an op he'll be ignored unless he calls in with his call sign, this is blatant lunacy and I don't think I'd want to join their net.
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VoG
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miko
Wednesday, 13. July 2011, 14:57
as for telling an op he'll be ignored unless he calls in with his call sign, this is blatant lunacy and I don't think I'd want to join their net.
Oh, I DO so completely agree with that. Absolutely. "Stuff 'em" as they say. But I thought the Topic might make an interesting point for debate as some people have VERY definate idea about what is right and what is wrong, what's permissable and what's really unacceptable.

Personally I'm totally easy-going when I Chair a Net. If the intention is clear and the caller isn't being overly pushy or rude then it'll do for me, "Break", "callsign", "QSK" or even "Side", whatever floats your boat... But I can imagine some of the Hard-core, old-school, Super-Gee, fuddy-duddies throwing a purple fit if a Station DARED to call "on the side" to try to enter one of their long-standing Top-band or 80m Nets. Actually, there's an idea. A few of them throwing a valve will remove some of the really pompous it-must-be-done-MY-way types from the amateur bands ;)

Adonis is of course right. If you want to join a long-standing Group, then the way to do it (as with so many other things Radio) is to Listen, Listen and Listen first.
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Casper
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26 Charlie Tango 230
I have heard so many people get told off for calling "Break" when trying to join in on a conversation on our local repeater & then getting ignored when calling in with their callsign, that I very rarely try join in to an ongoing qso.
I regularily chair the local club net ,most people call in with "Break" but I acknowledge them however they call in

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Cozzmik
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26 Charlie Tango 465

I hear lots of operators say "contest are a waste of time and not sociable" yet they dont want to let people join in their net.

11metres is full of "break,qsk" etc and its a fine way to make yourself heard,come to think of it echo charlie is the same.
Its the one thing that i find daunting about amateur radio,these guys can be very anti social to stations trying to get in.


This is a small section of the ham community that i have heard being this way and im sure most encourage others trying to say hi.








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VoG
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cozzmik
Thursday, 14. July 2011, 10:19
Its the one thing that i find daunting about amateur radio,these guys can be very anti social to stations trying to get in.

This is a small section of the ham community that i have heard being this way and im sure most encourage others trying to say hi.
It really is a minority Sam. But we tend to remember the Bad Times and talk about them a lot more than we talk about the 95% of Good People out there. There's no news in saying, "Hey guess what? I called 'Break' today and the Net Chair was OK about it", it is only News when there's an adverse reaction.

The anti-social types (as has been mentioned in many Threads and Posts) seem to be a minority sub-group of Old Boys who've held their licence for decades and resent anyone joining THEIR hobby since. They totally fail to realise that if they don't allow new people to use the Bands, then the hobby simply dies. But they are probably so selfish that they wouldn't care anyway.... "Why should I give a damn what happens after I'm gone?" attitude.

It really isn't any different from FB or EC as, even there, you can find some stroppy twerp who insists that His way is the ONLY way. . . . I suppose the difference is that on FB/EC/CB someone would probably tell the Pompous types to go forth and multiply as they're anonymous. Whereas on Amateur bands you do have to use a bit of discretion as the callsign is personal and official.

But the question still remains. . . . . Are we agreed that the "Proper" thing to do is to just announce the call-sign? And if the Net is not allowing sufficient time for anyine to get a call-sign in between overs, then it's hard luck?
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ChrisC
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26 Charlie Tango 437

Casper
Thursday, 14. July 2011, 10:04
I have heard so many people get told off for calling "Break" when trying to join in on a conversation on our local repeater & then getting ignored when calling in with their callsign, that I very rarely try join in to an ongoing qso.
I regularily chair the local club net ,most people call in with "Break" but I acknowledge them however they call in
Exactly this. I've heard many people moan at "break" stations and someone said "what is this, channel 19?".
I've been told time and time again that the correct way to do it is to give your full call sign.

If there isnt an adequate pause in the flow of conversation and I'll end up going over the top of someone I just make sure I make my callsign as clear as possible and give it as quickly as possible.

Meh. I think "break" is much quicker and far easier than going over the top of someone.
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Black Knight
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Cherokee
Wednesday, 13. July 2011, 20:51
fuddy-duddies throwing a purple fit if a Station DARED to call "on the side" to try to enter one of their long-standing Top-band or 80m Nets. Actually, there's an idea.



LMAO

I know many that would throw a purple spanner if you said Side side on 11m SSB....... flipping CBers LOL

:D :D :D
26CT003 / 26TM003

CQ CQ This is 26CT003 - Somerset, Calling.........
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Beany
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Charlie Tango DX
Casper
Thursday, 14. July 2011, 10:04
I have heard so many people get told off for calling "Break" when trying to join in on a conversation on our local repeater
GB3NB is a very fusey repeater Steve as you well know ;) GB3KY you can call in with what ever takes your fancey.....but who cares its all about a hobby and talking on the airways Break QSK or plastic donkey its just letting the other opps know that you want to join in B)
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VoG
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I'm going for ..
Hola hola coca cola - - - - - - - 'ola - - - 'oooooooolllaaaa - - - - HOLA!
when I want to join a Net from now on
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