On 12 May 2008 at 22:46, John Pumford-Green GM4SLV wrote:

> Normal amateur bands are the place for radio amateurs to have normal CW
> QSOs.
> 
> 500 is not a normal amateur band and you should expect operations to be
> conducted in ways that may offend your narrow definition of how to
> operate.
> 

Oh dear dear dear......

Personally, while getting very bored with these petty arguments, 
beacons do nothing for me at all and there are plenty of other 500kHz 
operators who like me DO like normal QSOs. Quite a lot of those were 
active in the early days (and also of 136kHz) who are never heard these 
days as they have got disillusioned. There is a place for both beacons 
and normal CW QSOs (and data modes as well) on both these bands and to 
say otherwise is total nonsense.

I was going to try and sort out the matching of my 500kHz vertical this 
week and get back on the band. I have now lost that enthusiasm, seeing 
as it appears there will be nobody for me to work anyway.

Sorry to see you go John, but really these sorts of arguments do little 
to help.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com