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During a CDXC discussion
thread about the poor
standard of operating by some
CW DX chasers, Derek G3RAU
suggested a new amateur
Q-code: QBL.
QBL (pronounced ‘quibble’ on phone) simply means “You are blacklisted”.
No matter what a DX operator sends, some callers are so persistent and rude that they just will
not shut up. They
keep on calling, blindly
sending their own callsigns
in the pileups, causing QRM
to other callers and slowing
the DX op’s QSO
rate. Everyone loses
out and blood pressures rise.
All of us should read and
comply with the IARU
Guide to Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur.
Many of us have inadvertently
sent our callsigns at the
wrong moment by mistake,
typically because of QRN,
QSB, QRM from lids calling on
or too close to the DX
frequency, due to a slight
confusion over
‘over’ or because
we (mis-)hear a partial match
to our own calls.
Occasional transgressions
like these do not merit
QBL. QBL is reserved
for the
deliberate alligators
(all mouth/tiny ears), particularly those who carry on calling even when there is no possibility that the DX is talking to them. When the DX says “G3? G3? KN KN KN” on CW and, let’s say, a UA comes straight back, for at least the third time, QBL is probably merited.
 What does “blacklisted” actually mean? Well that’s for the DX op to
decide. Depending on the caller’s antics, it might mean one or more
of the following:
-
“Go away - I will not complete a contact with you”
-
“I will never complete a contact with you”
-
“I will not send you a QSL”
-
“I will erase any previous contacts with you from my log and
write a letter to my MP”
-
“Shut up, bloody lid!”
The DX op should probably avoid sending the alligator’s full callsign
with QBL, sending a partial instead in order not to complete a
legitimate QSO. That would defeat the purpose.
If you agree with this new Q-code, please pass it on and refer others to this web page.
Please
do not start sending QBL unless you are the DX station running the pileup!
We have
more than enough pileup cops already, thank you very much.
To any alligators and pileup cops visiting this page, I have a special message just for you.
QBL!
There, I feel better already.
Other Q-codes worth considering
If QBL is not quite what you mean, perhaps one of these might help:
- QLF
- I can’t understand your CW. Please try sending with the left foot.
- QFC
- Please standby while I reboot this flamin’ computer.
-
QFO
- This frequency is busy. Please go far away.
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