Does anyone have any thoughts or observations on MURS activity in their respective areas?
Though a licensed ham since the mid-nineties, it was not until a few months ago that I became active in the hobby again. Though in existence since 2000 (I believe), I was not aware the FCC had set aside these MURS frequencies for unlicensed use until I read about it as I became active in the radio hobby again as of late last year. By all accounts, MURS seemed intriguing for various reasons, including the fact it did not require a license and it was located in the coveted VHF part of the spectrum.
So, until yesterday, I had not made a contact in the MURS frequencies, though on occasion I monitored business activity in the "upper" MURS channels. Late last night, while scanning some of my favorite frequencies (and awaiting a fellow ham's call on 446.000), I heard a gentleman calling on MURS 1 from a location about 10-15 miles away (if not more!). Excited, I answered the call and enjoyed a very nice QSO for several minutes. We talked about the band, equipment in use, and the state of affairs of unlicensed radio communications in the area. I was glad to hear there are a few "regulars" operating in the MURS frequencies, and kindly invited me to join.
The QSO fun, however, was short lived. The caliber of this gentleman's radio manners, however, was unfortunately eclipsed by the sudden appearance of one of these regulars--we'll call him Rick--who in my opinion represents all what's wrong with radio. It appears "Rick" is known for his "loud" signal--and one which he proclaims can be heard all the way to Boston (even though he is located in central CT). His modulation was strident, and reminiscent of those linearly-amplified signals that were so prevalent in the 11 meters band back when I got started in radio. Rick was loud, hostile and rude to this nice gentleman, and apparently took offense of the gentleman's remark that he (Rick) was unable to hear my signal (even though I could hear his). He made some strange, obnoxious noises and used strange "VHF cb lingo" while repeatedly keying throughout our ongoing QSO, even though here we were trying to get him to participate in the exchange! The sad part is that he was one of those "regulars" and, for the life of me, I cannot imagine who'd want to hang out with this guy on the band.
Boy, did that leave me with a bad taste in my mouth. After listening to the way he treated the gentleman, I had no desire to remain on the air for the rest of the night. I reassured my new friend it had been a pleasure to speak to him that night and that I would look forward to speak on the radio with him again. The gentleman was equally disappointed (and clearly embarrassed about the incident) and reciprocated with kind 73s. The truth is, I could not believe some of the same shenanigans that sometimes plague 11 meters appear to have found their way into this new VHF "cb service."
Has anyone experienced anything similar? How's the state of MURS trafffic in your localities? Where do you see MURS going?
Regards,
JMA-
Though a licensed ham since the mid-nineties, it was not until a few months ago that I became active in the hobby again. Though in existence since 2000 (I believe), I was not aware the FCC had set aside these MURS frequencies for unlicensed use until I read about it as I became active in the radio hobby again as of late last year. By all accounts, MURS seemed intriguing for various reasons, including the fact it did not require a license and it was located in the coveted VHF part of the spectrum.
So, until yesterday, I had not made a contact in the MURS frequencies, though on occasion I monitored business activity in the "upper" MURS channels. Late last night, while scanning some of my favorite frequencies (and awaiting a fellow ham's call on 446.000), I heard a gentleman calling on MURS 1 from a location about 10-15 miles away (if not more!). Excited, I answered the call and enjoyed a very nice QSO for several minutes. We talked about the band, equipment in use, and the state of affairs of unlicensed radio communications in the area. I was glad to hear there are a few "regulars" operating in the MURS frequencies, and kindly invited me to join.
The QSO fun, however, was short lived. The caliber of this gentleman's radio manners, however, was unfortunately eclipsed by the sudden appearance of one of these regulars--we'll call him Rick--who in my opinion represents all what's wrong with radio. It appears "Rick" is known for his "loud" signal--and one which he proclaims can be heard all the way to Boston (even though he is located in central CT). His modulation was strident, and reminiscent of those linearly-amplified signals that were so prevalent in the 11 meters band back when I got started in radio. Rick was loud, hostile and rude to this nice gentleman, and apparently took offense of the gentleman's remark that he (Rick) was unable to hear my signal (even though I could hear his). He made some strange, obnoxious noises and used strange "VHF cb lingo" while repeatedly keying throughout our ongoing QSO, even though here we were trying to get him to participate in the exchange! The sad part is that he was one of those "regulars" and, for the life of me, I cannot imagine who'd want to hang out with this guy on the band.
Boy, did that leave me with a bad taste in my mouth. After listening to the way he treated the gentleman, I had no desire to remain on the air for the rest of the night. I reassured my new friend it had been a pleasure to speak to him that night and that I would look forward to speak on the radio with him again. The gentleman was equally disappointed (and clearly embarrassed about the incident) and reciprocated with kind 73s. The truth is, I could not believe some of the same shenanigans that sometimes plague 11 meters appear to have found their way into this new VHF "cb service."
Has anyone experienced anything similar? How's the state of MURS trafffic in your localities? Where do you see MURS going?
Regards,
JMA-
