Hi Joe and Group,
I would have to say that if Michael's (K4MOA) QSO was not confirmed based upon remembering the call sign, 95% of the QSOs in my log are not confirmed.
Many of us use recorders because of the obvious reason - we have one hand to hold the Arrow, Elk or tripod, and the other hand is busy with an HT (or in my case, 2 HTs). There is no hand available to right call signs down. Another obvious reason behind the recorder is that most people cannot go outside and stand for a 15 minute pass, work __# of stations, and then go back inside and recall all the call signs, grid squares, RST reports, etc. If we could all recall all of the info like this, recorders would not be in use. If recorders were not being used, what would we do? You could either type it into the computer, or you could write it down on paper. This brings about the question of, why write it on paper? The bottom-line reason for writing it on paper is you don’t want to forget it, the same reason for a recorder. If you were going to remember it, why right it down? Even after taking a memory course a few months ago in college I can't go outside and remember everything. This sounds like a lot to ask of someone. Most passes are fast pace and crazy. You are not going to be able to remember every station you worked, especially if you are working from a boundary, etc.
In my mind, a QSO is confirmed when the two operators have a successful relay of information between each other. Example: "K4MOA this is WP3PZ, FK58" - "WP3PZ, this is K4MOA, EM95, QSL?" - "QSL, 73" To me, this is a confirmed QSO. When K4MOA goes inside, if he cannot remember the EXACT call of the station(s) he worked, that is not an issue of the QSO was not confirmed, it is an issue of K4MOA got a phone call right as he walked in the door and forgot the call sign of the station he worked. I know this sounds like a silly scenario, but it is reality. To me, a confirmed QSO happens at the mic, not when you are listening to a recording, or how good your memory is. I don't remember reading anything in the Tech or General books about you must remember every call sign for a QSO to be confirmed. Now, if you repeated the call back to the station incorrectly, then it is between you and your conscience; but if you could say his call back to him correctly, but just happened to forget it, I would still call this confirmed. If you have a base station and have the ability to sit at a desk and type it directly into a computer or write them down on a piece of paper, that is great, but most of the portable equipment ops are going to use a recorder.
I apologize I am repeating the same things over and over. I would be interested to hear a few other's opinions on this. Maybe I am the one that has it backwards.
73!
Zack KD8KSN
-----Original Message----- From: Joe Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 2:42 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Recorder battery died - anyone have a recording?2/5/2011
Now in My MIND
this was not a valid QSO,, the information was NOT all done on the radio, never mind he had the call wrong.
BUT even if he did work WP3T,
he did not know he did it
it took YOU and YOUR station to let him know it. so even if the call he thought he copied was right I would never ever think this as being a valid qso. now if the tape he made had worked fine and he later determined that he copied the call wrong it still even then is not a valid qso.
even if he had the call right is a grey area to me that it was a valid qso.
Joe WB9SBD
The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com
On 2/6/2011 1:09 PM, Rick - WA4NVM wrote:
Mike,
I jumped on that one to quick. I just listened to my recording and you worked WP3PZ.
Sorry about the error, Rick
Hello to the group -
My recorder battery died during a pass of AO-51 yesterday (2/5/2011) I think the pass was approximately 18:53 UTC - it was a mainly east coast pass. I made a contact with WP3T, I believe, which is why I rely so much on my recorder. Many of you know how bad I mess up calls so I may have the suffix of the call incorrect. I just failed to notice the battery was running low. If anyone may be able to help me out I would appreciate it...
Thanks in advance and I hope everyone enjoys the 10 hours of Super Bowl Pre-Game...
73's,
Michael, K4MOA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb