The Guardians of Amateur Radio
Dave Baldridge (N9AI)
on
July 7, 2000
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I've been an amateur for 23 years and have gone through the cycles of burnout and boredom in the hobby myself. One thing that never seems to change though, is the fact that there is always a percentage of hams who consider it necessary to bitch about either: 1) The newer members of the hobby, or; 2) How much easier it is to get whatever license (original Tech, Codefree "CB" Tech and now, of course, "CB" General or Extra) now than it was before. This is most often the case with guys who consider themselves "superior" to other amateurs for some reason and feel that they are the "guardians" of the hobby. These amateurs feel the best way to drive this point home is to constantly denigrate the achievements of newer hams or recent upgraders.
The thing that most of these self-proclaimed guardians of the state of amateur radio conveniently seem to forget, is that no matter what set of rules is in place at a particular time, it always gets easier to upgrade. This is an element of the progress of the hobby. In the 70's, when I was first licensed (and when the guardians of the hobby were bemoaning all of the new ex-CBers who were flooding into the hobby), the only way to improve one's code speed was to get on the air, or try not to memorize code tapes. Since there were no public question pools or VE sessions, the only way to advance one's theory skills, aside from digging around inside radios, was to buy three or four books and a calculator and study like hell. To take a test to upgrade, all you needed to do was drive a couple hundred miles to the nearest FCC field office (or wait two or three months for them to come somewhere relatively close to you), sit under the stern gaze of the FCC engineer-in-charge and hope for the best. One also needed to get 80% correct on the code test, rather than the more recent, "dumbed down" 70% required under the VEC system. How many of us would pine for a return to that system?
Restructuring is here to stay, as it has been many other times during my time in this hobby. None of these rule changes has killed or worsened the hobby, as far as I can tell, despite the dire predictions of the "guardians." We can complain about it, be dismissive and jealous of new or newly upgraded hams or we can make the best of it. How many hams' spirit we kill is directly related to whether we denigrate or welcome them.
Scott, N9AAT (soon to be N9AI)
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What Guardian Angels
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by KG4BOD on July 7, 2000
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The other night when 6 meters was wide open across the country and into Europe, I called "CQ-DX" within the dx window of 50.110 to 50.125Mhz. I heard some domestic stations call back, and while I politely reminded them the window was for dx only, several other very rude hams broke in and said things in a most unpolite manner. Some even decided to hammer out some CW to cover us up.
My limited experience as a ham, for a year and a half now, is that "older hams" who think the bands belong to them and no one else below extra class, are a detriment to the hobby. They are rude, condescending, and often times break the fcc rules when they feel they have to "come down" on others. It's people liken this who turn off newer hams or prospective hams.
In the future folks, if you hear someone operating in a way they should'nt, be kind, remind them of rules they may have overlooked or don't quite understand, and be a guide to them as to proper operations. These rude BUTTS, old farts, whatever you may call them will never learn proper manners.... bad manners have been their habits for many years and they won't change. But for the MAJORITY of polite hams, we should help folks who are enjoying a hobby!
So next time you hear domestic stations working in the dx windows, BE NICE, but remind them they should QSY elsewhere! Don't launch verbal and CW assaults!!!
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DX WINDOW
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by W5HTW on July 8, 2000
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A DX window is a courtesy, not a regulation or a rule. I have no problem with the use of such windows, but if someone else wants to get in there and hold a ragchew QSO, he/she is not violating the law. It may not be completely courteous, if the DX is flowing, but it is not illegal, nor is it even unethical. It would be both, of course, if it was done on top of another QSO or a pileup, or a rare DX station.
Many hams also view the low-ends of HF bands, the Extra portion, as DX only. That is not correct. It would be very rude of me, though, to hop into that portion of the band and start up a long CQ or a long QSO on top of a rare DX station, and I would not do so. But I would certainly rebel at being told "if you aren't working DX, move out of this part of the band." I don't think I'd go.
The experience on 6 meters was apparently escalated well beyond what it should have been, but rudeness and discourtesy are a part of our society in general, and, as such, have flowed into ham radio as well. We will continue to run into it, and it is not a result of restructuring of ham radio, but a result of restructuring civilized behavior for all.
The bottom line here, though, is a DX window is not a law, and reminding someone that they should QSY because they are in a DX window is inviting negative reaction. While observation of these de facto DX windows is polite, it is not required. Many grew up in the "get DX where you find it" mode, anywhere on the bands, with no so-called "protected segments." What is unfortunate is those responses to such a request result in deliberate interference, or, worse yet, aggressive behavior that reflects the sad state of humanity, including ham radio.
Were I in QSO in a so-called DX window, and some DX hound asked me to move out, I'd do what I could to ignore him, and continue my QSO. What I would NOT do is resort to negative tactics in the form of aggressive behavior toward that ham, deliberate interference, etc. If I had to, I'd probably increase power, under the rule of using the power necessary to maintain contact, but there is no use insulting anyone on the air. If at that point I still could not carry on the QSO, I'd probably close it down, but that would not be because I was in the wrong. It would be because the station who "thought" I was in the wrong was making conditions unbearable. And THAT would be deliberate interference.
73
Ed
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Guardians over code speed
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by KB3FEI on July 13, 2000
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I am a new ham; passed elements 2 and 3 in May. But I am finding code, even at 5 wpm to be a big challenge--I learn by seeing not be hearing. However, I have a lot at stake (can immediately upgrade when I pass the code) and will continue to work at it. However, I have listened to several conversations on FM simplex and repeater where reducing code speed is castigated. I, for one, am glad. It is going to make it possible for me to fully participate in all bands of amateur radio. I don't believe that I would be able to pass code at higher than 5wpm, therefore this is going to enable me to get my general and extra tickets. I don't believe that this makes me less of a ham. I does limit some of my enjoyment and experiences (most likely I will not use cw to communicate--this is my loss.)I am more than happy to talk with any ham on any frequency or mode legally available to me. I am also willing to share the joy of his or her contacts with cw, of making that distant contact not available through phone, of enjoying the elitism of using cw. I am not willing to denigrate myself because, of my own limitations, an aspect of the hobby will not be open to me. Share with me your knowledge and experience (please! I need and Elmer), talk with me and help me share worldwide communication, regale me with the positive feelings you have of the "good old days" of tougher exams and higher cw speeds, and help me understand something of the depth I am missing in not using cw.Respect my desire to make contact with you. Repect my technical ability and professionalism as I grow. But, please don't castigate me because I don't use cw or can't send and receive as fast as you. Remember, you have the joys, the skills and the experiences.... The loss is mine.
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RE: What Guardian Angels
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by WA4CNG on August 14, 2000
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I've been a Ham since 1961 Novice, 1962 Conditional (General over 100 miles from FCC), Technician 1967 (gave up conditional to "Incentive Licensing") now again a General Class on 4-15-2000 all with the same call sign, (no fruit-basket turnover). I grew up in radio communications and Broadcast Television, the only civilian 15 year old to graduate from the US Army Infantry Radio Communications School at Ft. Benning Ga. in 1961. I have had many "Elmers" in my time from W1TME, K4BVD (W6OAT), W4FIZ, W4CVY, W4TJS, W4TT, W4WKP, W4BJT, K4ZYK and more. All treated me with respect, took great pains to show me the how's and why's, I learned from my mistakes, went on to help others. Never in the first 25 years of Ham Radio did I hear the moaning and groaning that I have heard in the last 10 years and most recently.
Comments like "Extra Lite", I was changing fuses and soldering coax connectors on Extra Class operators radio's here in the Atlanta area while I was bulding 3 of the most advanced 2 Meter Repeaters in the Southeast USA in the early-mid 70's. No I didn't make an issue of it then.
Any class of license is what you make it, work for it, earn it. It is not a given for anything, you earn it based on the current qualifications and are judged against those qualifications and testing. Pass the test and you have the "License". Those that are moaning and groaning are just trivial, just like the last time with the "CB-Tech", nothing to it. Just smoke and mirrors. All of the folks doing the complaining need to see where we are really going. Use it or Lose It, (Wayne Green W2NSD). We have precious RF spectrum and it must be used by all who qualify to do so.
The Current Crop of Guardian Angels are not really doing anything but moaning and groaning. Let them do it out back, where they are not seen by the public, it may be embarrasing.
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