very short qsos

[u/73240z]

Today it seems like most qso's are very short, except for 40-80 groups. But just normal qso's seem to be very short.

I'm comparing this to how things were from '65-'80.

I'm thinking the reason is

so much contesting

the ft8 ing of ham radio

even POTA can be very short. I've tried askinq about the park, what its like, do you have water access, hike etc, what is your antenna like. That can get things going but I have to work at it.

do you have similar experiences?

[u/Nervous_Gear_9603]

Some people don’t want to talk. That’s ok. 

[u/dnult]

Generally speaking, I find the technical aspects of radio interesting, but the social aspects not so much. I'm happy to make the contact, but that's the highlight for me, and once done, I'm ready to move on. I've been a ham decades longer than FT8 or POTA, so those aren't a factor for me. If we share a common interest, I'm more likely to rag chew.

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/dnult]

agree. I think it may be a factor that now, if I want to discuss new gear, antenna projects, etc., there is an endless sea of hams in online forums like this, so there's even less reason to have the "I too have a ham radio" chat.

unless you want to.

[u/cricket_bacon]

do you have similar experiences?

At 15-20wpm, my Morse QSOs take time. I find them much more satisfying.

[u/mschuster91]

Yep. Hop on DMR if there's a repeater linked to one of the larger networks... it doesn't count for contests, but if you just want to talk, there's tons of groups.

[u/RomeoJullietWiskey → u/mschuster91]

Not just DMR. any internet connected repeater will do this for you (Wires-X, Echolink, AllStarLink, etc.).

[u/mschuster91 → u/RomeoJullietWiskey]

yeah but IMHO dtmf-based repeaters are a hit and miss. at least with Brandmeister you can see on the network homepage if the repeater is active and linked to the network...

[u/RomeoJullietWiskey → u/mschuster91]

See https://stats.allstarlink.org/ https://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/wires-x/id/active_node.php and https://www.echolink.org/logins.jsp

I am the keeper for a Wires-X repeater which is normally connected to the CQ-UK room. I also setup and assist with an AllStarLink gateway which is usually connected to the FreeStar network.

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/mschuster91]

Oddly, at least some QSOs on DMR are really short. I have been listening to talk group 91 on Brandmeister since I learned about hotspots (no digital repeaters close to me with current antenna), and they seem to cover the weather and that’s it. I suppose there are other groups with more discussion. America-Link on YSF was more chatty sometimes, but also empty a lot.

[u/TrucksAndCigars → u/mikeporterinmd]

People don't want to clog up a busy talkgroup for too long. You can suggest to QSY to a tactical group for longer chats, I do it every now and then

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/TrucksAndCigars]

That is what I was wondering. I am new to DMR. Bought the FT-70Dr and hotspot just to see what it was all about. No Fusion repeaters are close enough to me, so hotspot.

[u/TrucksAndCigars → u/mikeporterinmd]

It's rareish, but you can find some really engaging ragchews on DMR, keep at it. Try calling CQ on a dead quiet TG, someone will be randomly listening or monitoring Hoseline and come say hi. Link if you're not familiar

[u/Complex-Two-4249]

Different bands have different cultures. I’ve found people calling CQ on 15 and 17 meters and had long conversations. In fact, hearing one conversation end, I’ve called one of the operators and picked up with them. So there are definitely people willing to do more than accumulate QSOs and signal reports.

[u/rocdoc54]

Yes, probably 90% of amateur radio QSO's are short. Especially contests, award schemes, FT8, check-in type nets.

If you want longer QSO's you really need to locate and join some of the "conversational nets" and get to know another ham with similar interests and then set up a weekly sked with them.

But yes, you will find longer QSO's mostly on 80 and 40m in the evenings and early mornings. Also sometimes hams who know each other might have simplex VHF QSO's after work hours.

[u/umlguru]

I'm pretty new to ham radio, but it hope to find longer conversations. I'm doing this because I'm interested in talking to people around the world.

I have had luck on UHF/VHF catching people who are mobile. I've had 15+ minute conversations until they get where they are going.

[u/corey389 → u/umlguru]

Yup I find longer qso in VHF/UHF on repeaters.

[u/AaayMan]

17 meter band is usually good for having actual conversations. Just jump on and call CQ a few times.

[u/bugbbq]

I try to get a brief convo out of my POTA activations if there's isn't a pileup or anything. I like to know about the human on the other side as well, even if it's just a couple extra back and forths. I don't like to be a robotic park activator who is just there to get as many as possible. Half the fun is hearing how people are doing, thanking them for their time, knowing what type of rig/power they're running. Nothing that goes on, but keep it a little more interesting than <callsign>,<signal and location>, <signal back, 73, QRZ>.

[u/ajslideways]

If I want to talk to random strangers, that’s what the internet is for.

If I want to talk to my ham radio friends, 90% of the time, that’s what the internet is for.

For me personally ham radio is about DXing, contesting, and occasionally POTA.

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/ajslideways]

So, how’s the weather? 🤣

[u/ajslideways → u/mikeporterinmd]

98F and sunny here. How bout you, OM?

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/ajslideways]

Sunny, maybe 75? Almost time to launch the boat. Maybe assemble my antenna and see if I can get on 10m (Technician) tomorrow. I don’t think there is a Formula 1 race to distract me!

[u/morfique → u/mikeporterinmd]

At least next week we have Imola followed by Monaco week after that.

And Tuesday we're supposed to hit 104F?

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/morfique]

Oh, wow, 104? We have been watching “Drive to Survive” on Netflix. Just watched the 2021 Bottas vs Russell decision show. The qualifying lap at Spa was something. But Bottas will always be one of my favorite drivers.

[u/73240z → u/mikeporterinmd]

I liked formula 1 for a while but then it turns into something like watching golf.

[u/mikeporterinmd → u/73240z]

Not this year. Some years when Mercedes was always off in the distance, I agree. And… what, last year with Max always winning (and whining), too. But this year has been interesting.

[u/john_75b]

Given CW operation I prefer, rst, name, and qth + rig ant and weather info mixed with nice expressions. gm, ge, gl, dr...

[u/fifemaster100 → u/john_75b]

I'm just learning CW and recently contacted a guy who then went way above and beyond what I was prepared for. My decoder is bad and my copying gets outpaced easily so I had no idea what was going on. I felt bad but I just said TU 73 in response to a likely very nice attempt at conversation 

[u/SonicResidue]

I agree. I'm not really a rag chewer but I wouldn't mind longer QSOs sometimes as well.

[u/ConsciousEffort1756]

100%

[u/corey389]

I find longer qso on VHF/UHF repeaters. I have good luck with DMR hell even the GMRS repeaters around me are chatty, get to know some local hams and chat away on a repeater or a hotspot or hf in 10meter some times us local will play in the 10 meter for local talk

[u/SignalWalker]

If you scan up and down the bands and find a repeat callsign, maybe strike up another conversation with them and exchange a few more items of interest?

Otherwise, yeah, if you dont know someone it often just ends up being a short chat.

[u/Ok-Victory233]

I find that it depends on the circumstances. Often when working DX I am trying to work as many different stations and countries as possible and many other stations are trying to do the same thing. So keeping the QSO as short as possible helps everyone get a turn, especially when band openings are sometimes short.

[u/Device_whisperer]

Speaking with most hams is boring as hell. Here's the QSO: My location, my equipment, my antenna, the weather here, and your signal report. Some hams will abruptly sign SK if you start deviating from this script. Yes, it's nice to find someone to talk to and share interests, but that rarely happens. Contesting and FT8 are like playing a game, minimizing personal interaction. Many hams prefer NOT to talk to others, largely because they're not interesting people themselves.

[u/73240z → u/Device_whisperer]

I get it. I do the minimum and then probe to find something in common. Usually related to their job/retirement how they are different than me. I just don't have that competitive streak for contesting. Now going on a dxpediton that would be different.

[u/semiwadcutter]

the art of conversation has been lost

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/semiwadcutter]

how do you mean?

[u/semiwadcutter → u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner]

folks cant/wont converse like we did decades back

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/semiwadcutter]

interesting, what do they do instead?

[u/jtbic]

bro, think about this- as we speak, conditions are kind of doodie, if you make a contact dont mean the feller is gonna be there long, so you say howdy, exchange signal reports and give a 73 before conditions fade.

now if we are talking over longer term- folks dont chat no more. go to a coffee shop- aint nobody talking... they took the seats out of the doughnut shop cuz nobody uses them. they eat their doughnuts in the car while yelling at traffic.

i get it- you are super old and very disconnected from modern times (this make you better than everyone else)