radial - raibc

R a d i a l
A night of pleasure and a question
Now if that subject line doesn't wake everyone up, nothing will!
I've not actually written about what I do with my TS2000 but after last night I
thought I would, particularly as I enjoy what Alan says about the RAIBC nets.
Well: so far I've listened much more than participated in QSOs though do join my
local club net once a month when I'm around. I love listening on repeaters, listening
to all the drivers saying where they are etc, makes me almost wish I had a driving
job! I also enjoy listening to contests sometimes, I hope to take part one day.
Over the last two or three weeks Steve has forced! me to leave the rig on
overnight. Sometimes on repeaters and once on the calling channel on 2 Metres.
On all these occasions I've awakened at some unearthly hour to hear someone
mobile putting out a call and each time they haven't been answered. Well, I ain't
gonna get up and talk to no-one in the middle of the night, the very idea! Actually I
might eventually but I'm sure I'll sound all slurred when half asleep.
Now to last night. Having been made aware that 80 metres is likely to be better at
night I twiddled the knobs around that band until I actually found someone clear
enough, and English - not that I've anything against foreigners but I only speak
English! I was very pleased as I was able to hear maybe three people talking,
Steve said he heard one of them say there were 18 in the group at that time getting
on towards midnight. He forced me to leave it on, the lovely chap that he is, and I
stood around listening for a while then decided that the QSO seemed likely to go
on for a while so climbed into bed. One of them was coming through very clearly
and I think he came from the west of England.
As time went on I heard one from Northern Ireland and much later Steve heard
one from Germany - I think I heard one who said he was in Russia too but I'd just
wakened, this was about 3:40. There was an M3 from Weston Supermare but I
didn't hear him, also a Frenchman who I didn't hear. I was amused by some tones
which sort of reminded me of someone trying to play music - no idea what that
was. Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed my broken sleep though can't remember what
they talked about particularly other than one said he has trouble sleeping. They
ranged over all sorts of topics. This was the best I'd ever heard 80 Metres.
This brings me finally to my question: at no time were either of us able to hear
new ones join in - they faded in and out somewhat or else we would be asleep etc.
So, what's the accepted, if there is one, procedure to break in. People were
certainly doing so.
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