Making HF contacts...

What use is an F-call? There are many different ways that you can make contacts using HF. Over the past weeks I've talked about picking your band and frequency, about matching the rhythm of the other station, about setting up next to a big station, about picking and choosing, rather than sitting on one frequency calling CQ. Another technique you can use to make contacts is to listen for local stations, to hear whom they're talking to and at the end of their QSO with a distant station, which you must also be able to hear, otherwise it just defeats the purpose, asking for a QSO with the same remote station. It's likely that the local station will hear you much louder than the remote station and many locals will help you out with the contact. Don't expect them to help, they're having fun, just like you, but be gracious when they do help. In this Internet connected world of impersonal email, it's easy to slip into the same mindset, anonymous communication, but the Amateur Radio community is small. You're likely to meet the Amateur you thanked last week face to face at the local Hamfest, so be mindful of that. Of course there are going to be people on air who don't float your boat. Don't antagonise them, there is no point. I know it's hard when another station, sometimes deliberately, interferes with you, but it's more sporting to move on, rather than get involved in a tit-for-tat exchange. Keep in mind that this is a hobby, a fun pursuit, not a live or die competition, so act accordingly. In all I've found the Amateur community to be extremely welcoming and friendly, so don't let a few bad experiences colour your hobby. HF can be hard work, but I have to tell you, I've found myself jumping around the room when I made a difficult contact. I've looked at my radio in disbelief when an elusive station stops their pile-up, just to talk to you. What a thrill! So, get on air, do it today. I'm Onno VK6FLAB