Harmonisation - a new 'slant'

With the removal of the Morse code requirement for HF band access in Australia that occurred on New Year's Day this year, there has been a healthy increase in on air activity on those bands.

However the arrival of former VHF/UHF only licensees on the HF bands has also been overshadowed occasionally by unpleasantness.

Jim Linton VK3PC believes that the lack of harmony on the bands will be short-lived and results from misunderstandings of the different cultures that exist in our hobby.

The newcomers to the HF bands are often well practised operating on channels while the old hands on those bands follow the tradition of using any frequency, so long as it is clear and not in use by others.

On a few occasions the former VHF/UHF operators have queried why others are not "operating on frequency", in other words an exact rounded off frequency channel.

Some old-hands have been indignant at the suggestion they are not on a channel, and when emotions take over unpleasant references are made to no-code licensees.

The new arrivals feel quite comfortable on their 'HF channels' and there are times when a territorial approach to adopted.

Those new to HF may not be aware of or even appreciate the culture that has developed over many decades on the HF bands.

For example, if a 'channel' is a frequency, or close proximity to one used by a DXpedition or special event station, courtesy dictates that it should be left clear for those uses.

The rationale behind this is that DXpeditions and the like often carefully chose a frequency that is publicised worldwide to maximise their availability to those wanting a new country or commemorative QSL.

Other annual amateur radio events do also publicise suggested activity frequencies on the HF bands for much the same reasons.

A greater appreciation of the different cultures within our hobby will help increase harmony between all radio amateurs and reduce the unpleasantness and friction that has been taking place.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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