Aaaarrrgh!

And I am not trying to speak in "pirate".

"Oh, the pain!"  as Dr. Smith from "Lost in Space" would say.

I was fortunate enough to hook up with Dick K5TF again this evening.  We worked last week during the QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party last weekend; and this evening we were able to engage in a short chat.  The QSO was fine; but a lil' work.  I was 339 and Dick was 449; but with a little concentration and a little tweaking of the RIT knob for good tone, the copy was good and the QSO was flowing.

Then an earsplitting VE9 station came on the frequency and called a W2 station.  And yes, you have guessed correctly, the VE9 station engaged in my Pet Peeve - he commenced his call up without so much the benefit of a "QRL?" 

At this point, I'm almost tired of bringing this subject up - but what the heck has happened to courtesy and manners?  Has it gone out the same window as courtesy and manners on the Internet?

You know, if the VE9 had called "QRL?" once or twice and THEN commenced his call; I would have chalked that up to him not hearing two QRP stations on the East coast from all the way up in VE9 land.  That can happen and you just classify it as "one of those things".  But to not put out a "QRL?" before calling another station or calling CQ is inexcusable in my book.

Hiram ..... can I borrow the Wouff Hong and the Rettysnitch?  There's someone I have to take care of!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!