What use is an F-call?

This week I learnt something that you can only learn by doing it. As you know, I operate a mostly portable station, that is, hardly ever from home, regularly via battery power and connected to a 12m squid pole - think fishing rod on steroids - somewhere around the metro area.

My contacts are pretty regular. Generally one or more per session, mind you, some sessions might go for several hours, but contacts and listening none the less.

I realised recently that I've been operating my own station much more than other stations. My radio, rather than others; my antenna, rather than those built or purchased by other amateurs.

I've come to realise that just like when you learn to drive a car, it pays to drive in someone else's car once in a while.

So, last week I did exactly that. I did combinations of my radio and their antenna as well as using their station as presented. Of course, I did turn the power down to 5 Watts, no point in making a contact that doesn't count towards my DXCC - hi hi.

I had lots of fun learning about other radios, but also learning and hearing the difference between different antennas. Stations that I could hear on one antenna, I could barely, or not at all on another. And typical for Amateur Radio, that didn't always repeat. It's not a case that this antenna is better than that one, just that this antenna fits the conditions better than that one right now. And right now keeps changing.

So, if you get the opportunity to use another antenna or another station, grab the opportunity with both hands. You'll learn lots and have a ball doing it.

I'm Onno VK6FLAB