The very first time I called CQ I had a station come back, "THIS FREQUENCY IS IN USE!" This was not a great introduction to the HF bands. I can understand the frustration when someone jumps on the frequency, but I thinks it's best for Amateur Radio if we assume the best intentions for others instead of assuming the person knows what they are doing and are doing it intentionally or maliciously. In my case, I did listen and asked whether the frequency was in use but heard nothing. Whether my noise floor was too high or I was just off frequency enough or something else, I don't know. Please remember this is Amateur Radio filled with amateurs and human beings. (I suppose this applies to life in general as well.)
The very first time I called CQ I had a station come back, "THIS FREQUENCY IS IN USE!" This was not a great introduction to the HF bands. I can understand the frustration when someone jumps on the frequency, but I thinks it's best for Amateur Radio if we assume the best intentions for others instead of assuming the person knows what they are doing and are doing it intentionally or maliciously. In my case, I did listen and asked whether the frequency was in use but heard nothing. Whether my noise floor was too high or I was just off frequency enough or something else, I don't know. Please remember this is Amateur Radio filled with amateurs and human beings. (I suppose this applies to life in general as well.)