Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?

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Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?

Created by on 2002-08-21

Whatever happened to The Amateurs Code?

Chris J. Smith, K1CJS

While going through paperwork in my duties of club newsletter editor, I came across an article entitled The Amateurs Code. I read it through, mostly from curiosity, and came to the conclusion that most ham operators today do not know about it, or just do not care to follow it. Originally written by Paul M. Segal in 1928, it is as applicable today as it was then, perhaps more so.

______________________________

THE AMATEURS CODE

by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA (1928)

The Radio Amateur is:

CONSIDERATE..... never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL..... offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE..... with knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.

FRIENDLY..... with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED..... Radio is an advocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC..... with station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

______________________________

I sat back and reflected on some of the comments and operating I have heard in the time since I had gotten my ticket, and have decided that some of us, maybe more than any of us care to admit, have drifted away from the ideals Mr. Segal first put down on paper back in 1928.

How many of us can truly say we try to follow this code as we operate our stations from day to day. Do we try to be considerate to other operators and listeners? Remember, others are listening to the frequency. Swearing and smart-aleky operation of our stations put us all in a bad light.

Are we loyal to the spirit of the amateur service, or do we turn away when someone asks for help? Are we keeping up to date with advances in amateur radio, or do we just keep plodding along with no attempt to keep learning? Do we offer advice and help when asked, or do we brush off other amateurs who want to try to learn what we may already know? Do we stop and try to explain when a beginner seems to not understand concepts he needs to know to advance to the next level? How many of us won't even slow down our code speed to accomodate a ham who isn't as fast on the key as we are? How many of us have just changed frequencies, leaving that operator wondering where we went?

Does our family suffer because we want to get on the air whenever we can? How many of our wives (or husbands) are amateur radio widows (or widowers). How often do our children say we have to be on our radios and can't find time for them? Or, how many can say -- my daddy is helping a soldier talk to his family, and he let me help him!

How many of us simply may not have ever heard of `The Amateurs Code'? I hadn't until I came across that paper. In any case, I believe that as it is rediscovered, it should be spread to other operators, both far and wide. It is a gift, left for us by a man, ahead of his time, who truly understood what it both takes and means to be an amateur radio operator both then and now.

K6KYJ	2002-10-09
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
There is a new code for the times. The amateur is COMPETITIVE. Always do what it takes to win and be number one. The amateur is COMBATIVE. Never give up your frequency. The amateur is COMMERCIAL. Never build anything when you can buy it by phone. The amateur is CRASS. I paid for this equipment and my license with hard-earned money and nobody is going to tell me how to operate. Add your own to this list. One thing is for certain, this is not the hobby I entered in 1955. Ronald Angle K6KYJ Chico CA

WA9SVD	2002-09-30
RE: Get Real !!!
Whatever happened to common courtesy? Whatever happened to common decency? Whatever happened to common sense? Maybe some things SHOULDN'T change. Maybe the Amateur Code should be something we all strive to follow. (NO, NOT maybe.) It's just a guideline for civilized behavior, and respecting the rights of others, as well as our own rights. Reply to a comment by : WB9GKZ on 2002-09-18 Whatever happened to the crank telephone? Whatever happened to the horse-and-buggy? Whatever happened to black-and-white TV? Whatever happened to regular gasoline? Whatever happened to Spark? Whatever happened to ........ Hams: Get real, here we go again hanging on to some pie-in-the-sky ideal code circa 1920's. Things change. Hams don't. Then we wonder why all the kids are chatting on the Internet. Pat WB9GKZ

WB9GKZ	2002-09-18
Get Real !!!
Whatever happened to the crank telephone? Whatever happened to the horse-and-buggy? Whatever happened to black-and-white TV? Whatever happened to regular gasoline? Whatever happened to Spark? Whatever happened to ........ Hams: Get real, here we go again hanging on to some pie-in-the-sky ideal code circa 1920's. Things change. Hams don't. Then we wonder why all the kids are chatting on the Internet. Pat WB9GKZ

WA1FVZ	2002-09-17
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
WOW!...guess you ran into some 'bad road' along your journey! I have found just the opposite in my 37 year Ham Life!....98% of the hams I have met either on the air of face to face seem to have 'followed the code' 98% of the time!....Are there a few 'bad apples'?..... Sure!....You'll find them everywhere in every group! - But - They are the ones that don't attend meetings at all, don't participate in anything at all, never visit a group gathering nor Elmer anyone! - They are the minority - Take a look at some of the results of the survey responses here on E-HAM and see where the majority is! I hope you glass changes from 1/2 empty to 1/2 full! 73! Bruce WA1FVZ

W4UDX	2002-09-17
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
After reading this, I immediately thought... QRP'ers! The QRP'ers are a great bunch of people, they love radio and kit building, experimenting with antennas, trying different modes, and I have never heard or met a rude, foul-mouthed QRP'er. They frequently love the outdoors and camping / hiking, and their clubs are well organized and cheap to join. Using legal-limit amps and $4000 radios seems to send some hams into a power trip. Of course you have to be nice when using QRP, or the potty-mouthed big guns will totally cover you up and laugh while they are doing it.....

W4SCW	2002-09-16
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I would really like to live in the same solar system as N2XE cause I travel all over this country and hear how HAM radio is no better than C.B. radio in alot of cases. but there are good operators who do operate correctly and I'm sure know the code. I wish all operators would operate like the code asks. I've only had my license for 2 years and I wonder many times why I didn't stay on C.B.....straighten up people and learn and practice the code please. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

K2KOH	2002-09-13
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
A good question...whatever did happen to the Code? I have been a ham for a little more than ten years, and I love the hobby, but I have to agree with one poster who commented it is getting harder to get a decent rag chew. I was excited when I first upgraded to General...now, I am disappointed. My operating time is limited...contests do not interest me. It is very hard to get a decent QSO going during contesting times. Generic QSOs do not interest me. If I talk to someone from a far away place, I want to talk to them about where they live, a little bit about them. The last great QSO I had was with a G0 in York. It was a ninety minute QSO from my car, where we talked about everything under the sun. It was the most enjoyable HF QSO I ever had. Unfortunately, these kind of QSOs are getting harder to find.

M3SDT	2002-09-11
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
My website in the making (the amateur comunications group website) is planned to have a qustionair designed to determin your code. It should be uploaded by the new year.

KB1ML	2002-09-10
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Actually, I think that most hams follow the code, but, with any group of a million people, a small percentage won't.

N5JOB	2002-09-10
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I could ask the following questions also: 1) Whatever happened to the broadcast stations that played the National Anthem when they signed off the air at the end of the broadcast day? (Is there a radio station left that even signs off at all anymore?) 2) Whatever happened to the U.S. electronics industry? (Where are all the Hallicrafters, Hammurlunds, and Collins amateur/SWL gear in the stores?) 3) Whatever happened to decent popular music? (You remember... the pleasant songs that DIDN'T urge the youth to worship Satan and murder his parents!) 4) Whatever happened to the days when holding an Amateur Radio License meant the operator knew something about electricity? (They never used to publish the tests AND exact answers back in the "good old days.") Do you get my point?

KD4AMG	2002-09-08
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
in my humble opinion, wither accept "the amateur code" as it is. or come up with a "new-improved version" for your own personal use. I like it just like it is, simple and easy to understand. It is not long-winded or confusing to read. It is simple and easy for all to understand. Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-09-08 CODE/SHMODE!!! Out here there's too many individuals PONTIFICATING about what should be, but "ISN'T"!!! A lot of people seem to FORGET about all the BLOOD our citizens have shed fighting in WARS, domestic as well as foreign to preserve OUR WAY OF LIFE for better or worse!!! And some out here think that America is the only country having PROBLEMS, Jesus, just look around boys, IT'S WORLD-WIDE!!! Just conduct YOUR OWN LIFE in the way that you want to, and don't try to TELL OTHERS HOW TO RUN THEIR'S!!! If you do, guess what, "IT COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM and your a part of it!!!". Reply to a comment by : W9IND on 2002-09-08 KD7KOY: The Amateur's Code dictates that you share ... :) Reply to a comment by : KD7KOY on 2002-09-08 This is too heavy for me. I'm having a beer and playing some Metallica..: P

NN6EE	2002-09-08
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
CODE/SHMODE!!! Out here there's too many individuals PONTIFICATING about what should be, but "ISN'T"!!! A lot of people seem to FORGET about all the BLOOD our citizens have shed fighting in WARS, domestic as well as foreign to preserve OUR WAY OF LIFE for better or worse!!! And some out here think that America is the only country having PROBLEMS, Jesus, just look around boys, IT'S WORLD-WIDE!!! Just conduct YOUR OWN LIFE in the way that you want to, and don't try to TELL OTHERS HOW TO RUN THEIR'S!!! If you do, guess what, "IT COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM and your a part of it!!!". Reply to a comment by : W9IND on 2002-09-08 KD7KOY: The Amateur's Code dictates that you share ... :) Reply to a comment by : KD7KOY on 2002-09-08 This is too heavy for me. I'm having a beer and playing some Metallica..: P

W9IND	2002-09-08
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
KD7KOY: The Amateur's Code dictates that you share ... :) Reply to a comment by : KD7KOY on 2002-09-08 This is too heavy for me. I'm having a beer and playing some Metallica..: P

KD7KOY	2002-09-08
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
This is too heavy for me. I'm having a beer and playing some Metallica..: P

W9IND	2002-09-07
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I wouldn't necessarily regard "keeping our government from attacking other nations" as being patriotic. Sure, you have to pick your battles, but it's a tad naive to think we'd have all been better off if the U.S. and its allies had, say, done nothing in response to Pearl Harbor or the World Trade Center attacks. Bullies don't tend to respond to the Barney "I love you, you love me" approach to international relations. And doing nothing about the first unprovoked attack is a good way to encourage a second one ... and a third and a fourth. Then, before you know it, you're directing your "patriotism" toward a new government. Reply to a comment by : ME2FU on 2002-09-04 Patriotic? Sure thing. Sign me up for any efforts directed at keeping our government from attacking other nations--and from being on the wrong side of just about every international issue. That would be real patriotism.

K9TOY	2002-09-07
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I try to learn it,live it and love it! No need to change it or modify it in any way. Maybe we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and make the changes.

CASPER669	2002-09-05
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I'm about to take my first exam for the Technicians license with Morse Code. I currently have a 'legal' CB base station set up at home. I'm tired of listening to people cursing and obviously using linear's to overcome and overwhelm everyone else. This is what has prompted me to take the exam and get licensed. I think the aforementioned guide should be used by anyone using any type of transmitter! Not just for licensed amateur's. Of course, licensed amatuers will need to (in my opinion) set the example. With any luck, it will filter into the world of CB'ers!

N7FAN	2002-09-05
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
That would make this the only code you should need to know to get a ham radio license. So, maybe there really isn't a "no code" license after all...if they would put this in the exam somewhere...even if it was only as a study guide entry. Reply to a comment by : N0ASS on 2002-09-04 I'm a No-Code so I guess that means I don't have to follow any of that...

ME2FU	2002-09-04
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Patriotic? Sure thing. Sign me up for any efforts directed at keeping our government from attacking other nations--and from being on the wrong side of just about every international issue. That would be real patriotism.

ME2FU	2002-09-04
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Patriotic? Sure thing. Sign me up for any efforts directed at keeping our government from attacking other nations--and from being on the wrong side of just about every international issue. That would be real patriotism.

ME2FU	2002-09-04
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Patriotic? Sure thing. Sign me up for any efforts directed at keeping our government from attacking other nations--and from being on the wrong side of just about every international issue. That would be real patriotism.

KB7RKY	2002-09-04
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
My God...has it really been that long since I've read/heard that??? I recall hearing someone reading that exact text on one net...about 8 years ago. Thanks for the refresher...maybe there is/are some good people in amateur radio after all :) Doug KB7RKY

N0ASS	2002-09-04
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I'm a No-Code so I guess that means I don't have to follow any of that...

KC8UPE	2002-09-03
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I've only had my license for about 3 weeks, but I must say I've been very impressed with the behavior of the hams I've met on the air. I was driving to michigan this week-end, listening to a net. Someone was talking about the traffic being stopped on the expressway, and I started asking questions. Everyone on the net stayed off until a ham at home was able to read the map to me and tell me how to avoid the traffic. I have the amateur's code on the back of my ham desktop reference. I've only done vhf with repeaters, so I don't know about the other bands discussed.

K9CSM	2002-09-03
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
TO: N2XE Based upon your response to this question where you haven't "run into anyone objectionable either on or off the air in 12 years", I respectfully submit you must be living in a cocoon! Please listen on Twenty to a sensible, ongoing contact. Just listen a few minutes and you will hear the unlicensed crowd decend with their carriers, noises, moans, & remarks. Or, please listen on Twenty when some "rare" DX comes on 14.195 and states he is suddenly listening on 14.200 to 14.220+ !!! This method is sanctioned by the ARRL DX Editor! What happens to the contacts that are already in operation at that same moment?? When a mature an reasonable person hears the above he wonders why he should invest $2000 to $4000 to put a well equipped Ham station together. Ben Piller, K9CSM ben9@tds.net Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

K4YZ	2002-09-03
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Outstanding post, Chris! We have fallen into the "Burger King" generation, I think...Everyone want's things "Thier way, right away", and unfortunately things like honor, loyalty and patriotism get in the day of "important" things. As we approach the anniversary of the September 11th attacks I note that many media sources are already questioning Americans willingness to perpetuate the "volunteer" spirit. I think this translates to Amateur Radio too. For many weeks after the attacks, much of the hooliganism that is rampant on many nets and "DX" operations was minimal...people were respectful and mindful of the feelings of others. But now it's passe...Until it happens again, I guess,... Hope I am wrong. Thanks for the very well written post. 73 Steve, K4YZ

KB1FWN	2002-09-02
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I've been in the hobby since I was eleven years old...and in that time, I have heard a lot of people out there. And some just don't believe in the code. So what? Big deal! But, if you don't believe in the code, keep it to yourself when speaking with a 'believer'. It will make you look a lot better and you will be conducting yourself better on the air. Lets all admit it - sometimes it slips out. But that should be all it happens, except when you are talking to someone who feels the same way. Lets try not to destroy our own airwaves. The FCC wants it bad enough as is. If you can't do a simple task like 'follow the code' then how did you ever get your ticket? I know the majority of hams are good people and would be glad to help you whenever. But there are some others out there. We have to accept and cope with them while not disgracing ourselves, too. 73' all de KB1FWN. Reply to a comment by : KF9VH on 2002-08-29 Have you considered prozac??????????? I personaly don't need it. But a lot of the respondents to this forem sure do. All in all "The amatuers code" is alive and well. Why get worked up over this???????????? Reply to a comment by : N0VLJ on 2002-08-29 Whatever happened? Hey morons,wake up! It is TOO MANY PEOPLE that is the problem! Whether on the freeways expressed as "road rage" orin the grocery store with the jerk behind you in the checkout line "tailgating" you there too! Overcrowding because America and Humanity have no plans to stop reproducing like CANCER CELLS! Basic "self interest", which is human nature, will not allow one to use logic. Heartfelt emotional responses like this one are disregarded; "What's HIS problem!" Well boys, Ham radio is just a microcosim of our sick society and if you can't see this you are in the majority. But, one other thing: throughout history, the "majority" has always been WRONG! ie: Geocentric universe, flat earth, the Spanish Inquisition, compassionate conservatives!, etc. Until the population bomb is defused we can expect nothing but more of this overcrowding and the rudeness it spawns.

SIERRAHOTEL	2002-09-01
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
While the "code" is and always has been a great concept, people have always come up short in how they live up to it. The language is coarser now, but it was artificially "nice" in the old days, IMO. In the late 50's to middle 60's, I lived accross the street from a long time ham who constantly trashed the TVs in our neighborhood, and got really beligerant when someone asked him nicely to stop. I can remember my dad and him getting into it on the phone after he wiped out channel 2 one Saturday afternoon during a ball game. My dad asked him to cool it before it came on, he said he would, then proceeded to call "CQ DX" over and over again until my dad called him in the middle of the game. He switched to CW! At least my dad could see what was happening most of the time, if not hear it! This was a guy who was the president of the local ham club for many years, seemed pleasant when you spoke with him, but was basically, a bitter, mean old man, who did almost nothing for anyone, unless he got paid for it one way or another. When he died a few years ago, his wife, who was totally clueless when it came to money, was stunned to find out that she was a millionaire!! Nobody else really was.... I was friends with a kid in College who's dad was president of his local ham club. He and his friends were almost all WWII or Korean vets, and they were extremely beligerent towards newcomers to "their" repeater. When my friend's dad got sick, they never came around, but when he died, there they were, offering "a good price(their words)" for their old buddies' huge collection of parts and radios. My friend had a pretty good idea what a "good price" really was, and when his old buddies got word that they wouldn't be able to steal all that stuff, they got on the repeaters the day after their friend's funeral, and said some of the nastiest stuff about my friend, the only son of their supposed friend, and how he wanted to "screw them" out of his stuff. It got very nasty, and for a while, it looked like there would be a lawsuit or two. These same guys would ignore, harass, talk over, etc, the no coders that showed up on "their repeater" a few years later. And let's not forget the fine folks that used to hang out on 3950, and 14313, there aren't any no coders in that pile of maggots! Every kid, EVERY kid, 8 or 9 years old, has heard every bad word at school, or from a friend. It's not the end of the world because someone uses the S word. It's the reaction to it that's bad. The touchiness of a lot of hams when it comes to language or "CB talk" is bad enough, but nothing gets some of them going like talking about the code. Then, the knives come out. To show you how insane some of my local hams are about anything they don't like, here's what happened a couple of years ago to a friend and I, both no-code techs talking on 2 meters in the middle of the night. We were on simplex, running 5 watts each. We were playing Doom II on our PC's, against each other over the phone. I had a foot switch on my rig, and I accidentally unkeyed in the middle of a sentence. There, running big power, was a ham we both knew, an extra, of course, playing a sample of the guy I was talking to saying the unspeakable: "Ten- four!", over and over again. He had been on the CB for 25 years, so it slipped out a couple of times. Big deal! He wasn't strong enough to cause problems, so we ignored him as best we could. We were both kind of amused actually, at first. I had one of my scanners searching 2 meters when I was transmitting, and we were the only people in the entire band! I checked 440, and there was the guy who was interfering with us, or trying to, talking to a couple of his buddies, saying both our names and addresses over the air, calling us "hamsters", and "no code punks". Well, I looked him up in tha callbook, and called him on the phone, and asked him what exactly his problem was with us. He went ballistic!! How dare I call him in the middle of the night, how dare I object to having our names and addresses broadcast over the air! I said "OK, Ill do yours for a half hour, and we will be even!" He was sputtering and called me all kinds of names, and after I hung up, said to his buddies that I called him, that I was probably gay, etc. None of them were strong enough to cause us real problems, so we just let them try to trash us, every couple of minutes, we would say one o their names, and say something like "That N8XX, he's the ham of the year, I bet,he's a really swell guy. hey, did you hear, it's been three years sinc ehe had a drink??". These remarks got them all wound up, and they would start yelling at us for playing games while talking. I asked one of them if it was ok if we started talking about our "back problems" like they did all the time (we had heard the same guys for years), or we had to talk about radio, or maybe they wanted us to talk about our Prostates, would THAT be an ok subject?? For the next few weeks they continued trying to interfere with us, but they finally gave up. They still made remarks about us everytime we got on the air, simplex or on a repeater for almost a year. The code is a nice ideal to shoot for, but it's a fantasy in the real world...always has been.

KF9VH	2002-08-29
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Have you considered prozac??????????? I personaly don't need it. But a lot of the respondents to this forem sure do. All in all "The amatuers code" is alive and well. Why get worked up over this???????????? Reply to a comment by : N0VLJ on 2002-08-29 Whatever happened? Hey morons,wake up! It is TOO MANY PEOPLE that is the problem! Whether on the freeways expressed as "road rage" orin the grocery store with the jerk behind you in the checkout line "tailgating" you there too! Overcrowding because America and Humanity have no plans to stop reproducing like CANCER CELLS! Basic "self interest", which is human nature, will not allow one to use logic. Heartfelt emotional responses like this one are disregarded; "What's HIS problem!" Well boys, Ham radio is just a microcosim of our sick society and if you can't see this you are in the majority. But, one other thing: throughout history, the "majority" has always been WRONG! ie: Geocentric universe, flat earth, the Spanish Inquisition, compassionate conservatives!, etc. Until the population bomb is defused we can expect nothing but more of this overcrowding and the rudeness it spawns.

N0VLJ	2002-08-29
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Whatever happened? Hey morons,wake up! It is TOO MANY PEOPLE that is the problem! Whether on the freeways expressed as "road rage" orin the grocery store with the jerk behind you in the checkout line "tailgating" you there too! Overcrowding because America and Humanity have no plans to stop reproducing like CANCER CELLS! Basic "self interest", which is human nature, will not allow one to use logic. Heartfelt emotional responses like this one are disregarded; "What's HIS problem!" Well boys, Ham radio is just a microcosim of our sick society and if you can't see this you are in the majority. But, one other thing: throughout history, the "majority" has always been WRONG! ie: Geocentric universe, flat earth, the Spanish Inquisition, compassionate conservatives!, etc. Until the population bomb is defused we can expect nothing but more of this overcrowding and the rudeness it spawns.

KF9VH	2002-08-29
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Read between the lines Dave. It is not that hard to figure out where this guy is coming from. Does this ham consider a 5wpm Extra the same as a 20 wpm extra? They sure did not have to work near as hard. Is the 5wpm extra one of the "true DECENT HAMS? By the way it is far better to be humble than an elitist. 73 >>"The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that >>WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in >>their hobby!!!" >Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an >attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham >radio. Why? Nowhere in that short phrase did he say anything about code or no-code. Didn't you work hard for your ticket? Didn't you study hard to pass the theory? I know that I did. >Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think >not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he >is to good for that. I think he's got a better chance than someone who's so quick to see insult in common words. >An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". If working hard for something and having pride in your accomplishment makes one an "elitist", than count me in. Reply to a comment by : N7FAN on 2002-08-29 >>"The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that >>WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in >>their hobby!!!" >Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an >attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham >radio. Why? Nowhere in that short phrase did he say anything about code or no-code. Didn't you work hard for your ticket? Didn't you study hard to pass the theory? I know that I did. >Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think >not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he >is to good for that. I think he's got a better chance than someone who's so quick to see insult in common words. >An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". If working hard for something and having pride in your accomplishment makes one an "elitist", than count me in. David, N7FAN Reply to a comment by : KF9VH on 2002-08-29 "The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!!" Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham radio. Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he is to good for that. An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". Reminds me of a CULT.

N7FAN	2002-08-29
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
>>"The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that >>WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in >>their hobby!!!" >Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an >attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham >radio. Why? Nowhere in that short phrase did he say anything about code or no-code. Didn't you work hard for your ticket? Didn't you study hard to pass the theory? I know that I did. >Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think >not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he >is to good for that. I think he's got a better chance than someone who's so quick to see insult in common words. >An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". If working hard for something and having pride in your accomplishment makes one an "elitist", than count me in. David, N7FAN Reply to a comment by : KF9VH on 2002-08-29 "The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!!" Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham radio. Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he is to good for that. An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". Reminds me of a CULT.

N7FAN	2002-08-29
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
What happened to it? We happened to it. I have visited some of the clubs in my area and see it running rampant. The problems of today are many. It's the "old timers" complaining about the newbies. It's the "newbies" complaining about the old-timers. It's the "No-Codes" complaining about how the "Elite hams" won't talk to them. It's the "20WPM Club" members that won't have anything to do with the "lesser hams" who didn't scrape and struggle to meet some sort of goal that doesn't matter anymore. "Sure, the new guy can write code and come up with IRLP, but he doesn't even know what a straight key looks like." So? It's the "clique" on the repeater who talks every evening about nothing and yet makes it hard on new people to join in. It's the members of the club who let a visitor stand around by himself because they're talking about the latest contest/DXpedition/Whatever and don't have the time to "deal" with someone new, or figure that it's someone else's job. It's the "emergency only" operators who won't do anything else. Who won't support a local ham radio display in a mall because it's "not their thing." It's the people who spend their time bemoaning the current level of operating skill being displayed, and yet won't respond on the repeater when someone asks for help with their new radio. It's the general "I've got mine now screw you" attitude that is so prevasive in our society now. In order to change it, you have to make a commitment to help. A commitment to be positive. A commitment to treat others like you would want to be treated. If CNN were to run a tape on a scanner and happened to record you (legal or otherwise), would they have to edit it before they could play it on the air? Would they be able to play it at all? Are you being helpful, or are you being a know-it-all? Ham Radio is no longer the hobby of the techie, or the retired engineer or professional radio operator. The person on the other end of the mic may be a doctor, or a Nobel prize winner, a police officer, the mayor of a town, or a "good old boy". How do you get back to the Amateur's Code? Or something similar? Start holding people accountable for their actions. Start treating people like you would like to be treated, and call people when they mistreat you. Attend club meetings...even if you're not a member. Contribute. Raise the bar for radio in your area. Eventually people will either come up to the level, or go away. David, N7FAN Chandler, AZ

KF9VH	2002-08-29
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
"The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!!" Give me a break. What an ego. It is this kind of an attitude that has cause all the dissension in ham radio. Can you see this guy adhering to the "Code"? I think not. I bet he won't even talk to a no-code tec., he is to good for that. An elitist will not adhere to " The Amateurs Code". Reminds me of a CULT.

KB9E	2002-08-28
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
As a Ham of 15 years, having read all the replies; Anyone who thinks our hobby/service is even what it was 10 years ago is doing too much talking and not enough listening. Those who follow "the code" are becoming fewer and far between. I agree with the ham in an above reply who said that Amateur Radio is a reflection of society in general. Very true and it makes me sad. 73' Ron KB9E Reply to a comment by : KC0IOX on 2002-08-27 A newcomer once came to a town and asked a local shop-keeper about the town. The shop-keeper asked, "What kind of town did you come from?" The newcomer said," It was a great place. The folks were friendly, polite, and the town was a great place. I hated to leave it." The shop-keeper replied," I think you'll find this place is much the same as your old town." The next day, another newcomer came to town, asking the shop-keeper the same question. Upon hearing the shop-keeper's question of his old town, the newcomer said," My old town was a hole. The people were rude, unfriendly, and I couldn't wait to leave it." to which the shop-keeper replied, "I think you'll find this place much the same as your old town." The point? Ham radio is what you make it out to be. I'm sure that there are bad things that go on in ham radio, and have gone on for years, but also some very good things. It comes down to what you notice, and what you overlook. Sure times change, things never do stay the same, but I really think that there are an awful lot of good folks on the air, and while I've probably heard a bad one here or there, I chose to notice the good, and dismiss the rest. Just my humble opinion. 73, and I hope to hear some of you on the air some day!

KC0IOX	2002-08-27
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
A newcomer once came to a town and asked a local shop-keeper about the town. The shop-keeper asked, "What kind of town did you come from?" The newcomer said," It was a great place. The folks were friendly, polite, and the town was a great place. I hated to leave it." The shop-keeper replied," I think you'll find this place is much the same as your old town." The next day, another newcomer came to town, asking the shop-keeper the same question. Upon hearing the shop-keeper's question of his old town, the newcomer said," My old town was a hole. The people were rude, unfriendly, and I couldn't wait to leave it." to which the shop-keeper replied, "I think you'll find this place much the same as your old town." The point? Ham radio is what you make it out to be. I'm sure that there are bad things that go on in ham radio, and have gone on for years, but also some very good things. It comes down to what you notice, and what you overlook. Sure times change, things never do stay the same, but I really think that there are an awful lot of good folks on the air, and while I've probably heard a bad one here or there, I chose to notice the good, and dismiss the rest. Just my humble opinion. 73, and I hope to hear some of you on the air some day!

KB1IFE	2002-08-27
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Arrrgh! If I read one more article complaining about how the HAMS of today are bad people, I think I'm going to puke on my license. For gawd's sake. If you don't like the hobby, then take up fishing. I, for one, think you're view of the state of Amateur Radio is wrong to the core. The world of HAM radio is a wonderful place. I've met more interesting people, made more friends, and learned more in six months of HAM radio than I ever thought possible. As my 16 year old daughter would say, "Hire a carpenter to build you a bridge, so you can get over it!". KB1IFE

NZ5L	2002-08-27
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I agree that a decent ragchew is mighty difficult to come by these days. I haven't been overly concerned about the bad language, rudeness, and lack of consideration but that's because I rarely frequent the 75 Meter 'phone band. Whenever I do, all of the above is readily apparent. I'm sure the standards of behavior on 3,200 GHz or so are impeccable, but short of that I'll just stick to pounding brass! Reply to a comment by : WB6MLI on 2002-08-27 NN6EE, I think there are enough decent hams paying attention out there that I can still find a lot of enjoyment in this hobby. Decent hams include contesters, the ones who accept my 001-030 serial number, find out later I DID submit a log so they can get their points, and I can quickly see how my station is working this time around. I hope there are always enough decent hams out there to yack with, and rack up some points with. KB5PLD, Exactly right. Move on but not out. Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 MLI, The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!! The rest will take it's course, behavior/attitude, and there's nothing anybody can do about it as it's up to each individual, with humans being as they are nobody wants to be told what to do, each of them will make their own decisions!!! If you find it so distasteful to see people's manners change then you better keep your head BURIED IN THE SAND, IT'S LIKE DO YOU BELIEVE IN "CREATIONISM or EVOLUTION" we all have our OWN SLANTS!!! So in essence neither of us are truly right, we'll just have to live with it, no pontification will reverse that course unless by some miracle "HUMAN-NATURE" makes a complete reversal, PERIOD!!! I've seen a helluva lot of changes in OUR GREAT HOBBY as I'm sure you have as well, and no one has enough power to dissuade me from thinking otherwise!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : WB6MLI on 2002-08-26 I am not wearing rose colered glasses here. I wrote you can certainly find abuse if you look for it. Let me add, if no one is paying attention to a call to decency on the air, there will be no more radio hobby to play with. That goes for other hobbies as well. You can either fix eyesight with a laser or kill someone with it. You can either do a hobby to obsession, or you can play radio instead of watching stupid TV! Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 To WB6MLI. Realistically speaking the "AMATEUR RADIO CODE" does need to be looked at again and modified, especially today in our uptight world, whether any of us likes it or not when the amateur code was written in 1938 times and SOCIETY were alot different than they are today, that's an indisbutable FACT!!! a GOOD EXAMPLE of strict tenets to be OBEYED would be the rules of the Catholic Church, but look what happened with some ORDAINED PRIESTS, they were molesting young boys and girls!!! Of course that's an extreme example but you probably get the drift, and the church is now having to change as we write!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : W9LVC on 2002-08-26 I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

WB6MLI	2002-08-27
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
NN6EE, I think there are enough decent hams paying attention out there that I can still find a lot of enjoyment in this hobby. Decent hams include contesters, the ones who accept my 001-030 serial number, find out later I DID submit a log so they can get their points, and I can quickly see how my station is working this time around. I hope there are always enough decent hams out there to yack with, and rack up some points with. KB5PLD, Exactly right. Move on but not out. Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 MLI, The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!! The rest will take it's course, behavior/attitude, and there's nothing anybody can do about it as it's up to each individual, with humans being as they are nobody wants to be told what to do, each of them will make their own decisions!!! If you find it so distasteful to see people's manners change then you better keep your head BURIED IN THE SAND, IT'S LIKE DO YOU BELIEVE IN "CREATIONISM or EVOLUTION" we all have our OWN SLANTS!!! So in essence neither of us are truly right, we'll just have to live with it, no pontification will reverse that course unless by some miracle "HUMAN-NATURE" makes a complete reversal, PERIOD!!! I've seen a helluva lot of changes in OUR GREAT HOBBY as I'm sure you have as well, and no one has enough power to dissuade me from thinking otherwise!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : WB6MLI on 2002-08-26 I am not wearing rose colered glasses here. I wrote you can certainly find abuse if you look for it. Let me add, if no one is paying attention to a call to decency on the air, there will be no more radio hobby to play with. That goes for other hobbies as well. You can either fix eyesight with a laser or kill someone with it. You can either do a hobby to obsession, or you can play radio instead of watching stupid TV! Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 To WB6MLI. Realistically speaking the "AMATEUR RADIO CODE" does need to be looked at again and modified, especially today in our uptight world, whether any of us likes it or not when the amateur code was written in 1938 times and SOCIETY were alot different than they are today, that's an indisbutable FACT!!! a GOOD EXAMPLE of strict tenets to be OBEYED would be the rules of the Catholic Church, but look what happened with some ORDAINED PRIESTS, they were molesting young boys and girls!!! Of course that's an extreme example but you probably get the drift, and the church is now having to change as we write!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : W9LVC on 2002-08-26 I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

KB5PLD	2002-08-26
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
When I was 10 years old my dad handed me an old copy of QST that had the amateurs code in it and he handed me a copy of the international morse code and told me these are the 2 code all hams must use. Now that I am now a ham I'm not as active as I used to be but I do a lot of listening. And I will admit there are a few "alfa hotels" out there that are unwilling to let someone they don't know talk. But don't be discouraged by this. Just move on!!! If one continues to try haggling to get on anyway that just makes things worse. Just move on!!! There are a lot of other hams out there that abide by the same rule you do. Be thankful we have so many freqs. that we can use in our hobby. Tnx kb5pld.

NN6EE	2002-08-26
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
MLI, The only true DECENT HAMS are the ones that WORKED "HARD" for their tickets and "TAKE PRIDE" in their hobby!!! The rest will take it's course, behavior/attitude, and there's nothing anybody can do about it as it's up to each individual, with humans being as they are nobody wants to be told what to do, each of them will make their own decisions!!! If you find it so distasteful to see people's manners change then you better keep your head BURIED IN THE SAND, IT'S LIKE DO YOU BELIEVE IN "CREATIONISM or EVOLUTION" we all have our OWN SLANTS!!! So in essence neither of us are truly right, we'll just have to live with it, no pontification will reverse that course unless by some miracle "HUMAN-NATURE" makes a complete reversal, PERIOD!!! I've seen a helluva lot of changes in OUR GREAT HOBBY as I'm sure you have as well, and no one has enough power to dissuade me from thinking otherwise!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : WB6MLI on 2002-08-26 I am not wearing rose colered glasses here. I wrote you can certainly find abuse if you look for it. Let me add, if no one is paying attention to a call to decency on the air, there will be no more radio hobby to play with. That goes for other hobbies as well. You can either fix eyesight with a laser or kill someone with it. You can either do a hobby to obsession, or you can play radio instead of watching stupid TV! Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 To WB6MLI. Realistically speaking the "AMATEUR RADIO CODE" does need to be looked at again and modified, especially today in our uptight world, whether any of us likes it or not when the amateur code was written in 1938 times and SOCIETY were alot different than they are today, that's an indisbutable FACT!!! a GOOD EXAMPLE of strict tenets to be OBEYED would be the rules of the Catholic Church, but look what happened with some ORDAINED PRIESTS, they were molesting young boys and girls!!! Of course that's an extreme example but you probably get the drift, and the church is now having to change as we write!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : W9LVC on 2002-08-26 I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

W9IND	2002-08-26
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I'm hardly a big-time contester -- fact is, I do maybe three to five contests a year, along with chasing DX and ragchewing -- but I respectfully disagree with the anti-contesting sentiment expressed on this board. Sure, the big contests tend to dominate the major bands, making it difficult for other QSOs to take place during those occasional weekends. But I guess it's all in how you look at it. Implicit in the accusation that contesters "cause QRM" is the notion that someone else has a greater right to the same frequency ... or that this energetic, highly competitive, quick-QSO form of hamming is somehow inferior to "real" amateur radio operating. And that's where I disagree most. It's a bit like saying that NASCAR racing is stupid and pointless because the drivers go real fast, change tires quickly and bump each other around a lot ... as opposed to "real" driving, which involves going the speed limit, chatting with relatives in the car and taking your time sightseeing. The point is, there's nothing wrong with NASCAR racing, just as there's nothing wrong with sightseeing. They both fall into the category of "Fun Things You Can Do With Cars." On the other hand, if you prefer sightseeing to NASCAR racing or vice versa, I won't hold it against you. Ditto with ham radio. If you like chit-chatting with Cousin Larry in Boca Raton, and you've done so for the last 30 years on 14.317 MHz at 1300 UTC Saturday, by all means enjoy yourself. But if you'd rather use 14.317 to try to work 100-plus stations an hour and win your district in CQWW, by all means enjoy yourself doing that too. However, just because you (or your net) have used the same frequency at the same time on the same day of the week for X number of years, don't treat it as a standing reservation at your favorite restaurant. Realize that, depending on band conditions and on-air events, you may have to share it with others ... or even QSY to another frequency and/or another band. And please don't tell me that it isn't feasible -- there's plenty of elbow room on the WARC bands, which are typically free of any contesting activity (and probably even quieter than usual on contesting weekends). I'd give similar advice to any contester: In your dog-eat-dog world, holding a frequency means being the biggest dog in the yard. If a bigger dog runs you off, whether it's a slow-scan station, a ragchewer or another contester ... well, don't cry about it -- upgrade your station or learn to live with it. It's all part of the game, like getting bumped out of the way in a NASCAR race. (Yes, I know there's a U.S. law against deliberate interference, but during contests it's often hard to hear medium-size stations, let alone small ones trying to ragchew.) I just think we'll all get along better when we stop treating frequencies as "ours" -- regardless of whether we're a net control operator, a ragchewer, a contester, a DXer, a slow-scanner or whatever -- and when we stop looking down our noses at other forms of hamming. Roll with the punches: Make contingency plans ahead of time. (Such as "Okay, let's QSY to 24 MHz if 10 meters is full of contesters" -- it's not like you can't predict the big contesting weekends.) That way, you'll save yourself, and everyone around you, a lot of needless stress. Remember, this is supposed to be a hobby -- as in fun -- not a court battle over property rights. So lighten up, everybody. 73 to all, Brian W9IND Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You can be assured no avid(and brainless) contester has ever read it. The single most vagrant abuse of the rules there is. Way too much power than necessary, totally clogging up the band with interference and conveying no real intelligent communication, just CONTEST CONTEST CQ CONTEST Roget your 5by9 QRZED CONTEST! Like a bunch of screaming brainless monkeys yelping hteir heads off.

WB6MLI	2002-08-26
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I am not wearing rose colered glasses here. I wrote you can certainly find abuse if you look for it. Let me add, if no one is paying attention to a call to decency on the air, there will be no more radio hobby to play with. That goes for other hobbies as well. You can either fix eyesight with a laser or kill someone with it. You can either do a hobby to obsession, or you can play radio instead of watching stupid TV! Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-26 To WB6MLI. Realistically speaking the "AMATEUR RADIO CODE" does need to be looked at again and modified, especially today in our uptight world, whether any of us likes it or not when the amateur code was written in 1938 times and SOCIETY were alot different than they are today, that's an indisbutable FACT!!! a GOOD EXAMPLE of strict tenets to be OBEYED would be the rules of the Catholic Church, but look what happened with some ORDAINED PRIESTS, they were molesting young boys and girls!!! Of course that's an extreme example but you probably get the drift, and the church is now having to change as we write!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : W9LVC on 2002-08-26 I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

NN6EE	2002-08-26
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
To WB6MLI. Realistically speaking the "AMATEUR RADIO CODE" does need to be looked at again and modified, especially today in our uptight world, whether any of us likes it or not when the amateur code was written in 1938 times and SOCIETY were alot different than they are today, that's an indisbutable FACT!!! a GOOD EXAMPLE of strict tenets to be OBEYED would be the rules of the Catholic Church, but look what happened with some ORDAINED PRIESTS, they were molesting young boys and girls!!! Of course that's an extreme example but you probably get the drift, and the church is now having to change as we write!!! JIM Reply to a comment by : W9LVC on 2002-08-26 I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

W9LVC	2002-08-26
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I was first licensed in the middle 50,s and the Code of our hobby was a assumed way of doing business. After a extended period of inactivity I returned to Amateur Radio and saw a foreign hobby. anger,rage, and what is the best way to put down a fellow ham is now the assumed way of doing business. The license is now just a piece of paper with little to no meaning as to a individuals ability.

WB6MLI	2002-08-26
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
When I first was licensed during High School in the late '70s, I was unaware of this code. It did rub off on me from my "Elmers", but I never saw it written down. One of the Elmers was my Dad (an engineer/ham wannabe), and the handbook. What was important then, was to be as un-CB as possible. After the bug was dormant for many years, I have been back on the air. My first contacts warned me of the "new" atmosphere. I can certainly find it if I am looking for it. I ran across the code in W1FB's QRP handbook and took it to heart this time around. Especially the balance part. The bug now manifests itself in the homebrew/QRP and FT 101 fixer uppers. The FT 101 fixer uppers led to new projects with Dad, (an engineer/ham wannabe at 70), and QRP contacts during "nap/reading" time on vacation. The FT 101 projects are slow yet productive, and the time spent pondering antennas and test questions is as they say "priceless". No or slow code may help him get on the air. So I only made 7 contacts over 7 days on vacation, but they were coast to coast, and high quality. The XYL said she never wanted the vacation to end, the kid wanted "just one more day". Whether or not anyone is paying attention, the Amateur's Code still works.

W8GIO	2002-08-25
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I am in total agreement with the author. I think a goodly part has been the lack of inforcement by our FCC and lack of "knuckle rapping" by our esteemed ARRL; who in my view has turned into a gaint publishing house; sorry to say! More could be said but I best not....I am now "silent" but as yet not SK. Ham Radio I once knew is OVER THE HILL and in the process of decay.

NN6EE	2002-08-25
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
To Chris/CJS, I understand what you're getting at and NO ARGUMENTS there, but still there are way too many "SELF-RIGHTEUOS" types out there, whether young or old who, whether they realize it or not who are contributing just as much to the on-going problems!!! 73, Jim Reply to a comment by : K1CJS on 2002-08-24 To N2XE-- I wasn't aware there was another planet Earth. To NN6EE-- I suppose some may see this as finger pointing, but here I was just making observations. I am a local RACES officer in Fall River, MA and constantly monitor the local repeaters and public service emergency frequencies. I also monitor some of the HF frequencies used around this area for emergency traffic. I do hear quite a bit of "garbage" over the air, although it doesn't happen constantly, it is there. I offer my post as "food for thought", not accusation. 73! Chris J. Smith, K1CJS Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-23 My experience thru 40+ years of continuous Amateur Radio operation is that the biggest "Pains in the Butt" and the most HYPOCRITICAL are the guys who complain about everything that is WRONG with Amateur Radio!!! They are the types who will be listening in on a conversation and when they hear something they think is inappropriate they'll chime in with RUDE COMMENTS anonymously, breaking one of the tenents of our hobby they so "SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY" decry!!! That's only 1 example of poor operating habits carried on by those who always point their finger at "THE OTHER GUY!!!". JIM

K0CBA	2002-08-25
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
It went Morses' Code. Reply to a comment by : KC7LSP on 2002-08-24 It makes me wonder if all these "Crash Courses", "Group Crams" and other mass activity is to blame. Personally, in my mind nothing is better than the "Elmer Method". A slow, one-on-one approach that guides the person into becoming a good operator. In essence, quality over quantity. I would never Elmer a person that I had any doubts about. While this is a gatekeeping method that some would object to, it does work. I've only Elmered one person, so far. Unforunantly, my friend, KD7NWY has become a silent key. After he became licensed I was proud to have helped him.. he was an EXCELLENT OPERATOR.

KC7LSP	2002-08-24
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
It makes me wonder if all these "Crash Courses", "Group Crams" and other mass activity is to blame. Personally, in my mind nothing is better than the "Elmer Method". A slow, one-on-one approach that guides the person into becoming a good operator. In essence, quality over quantity. I would never Elmer a person that I had any doubts about. While this is a gatekeeping method that some would object to, it does work. I've only Elmered one person, so far. Unforunantly, my friend, KD7NWY has become a silent key. After he became licensed I was proud to have helped him.. he was an EXCELLENT OPERATOR.

K1CJS	2002-08-24
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
To N2XE-- I wasn't aware there was another planet Earth. To NN6EE-- I suppose some may see this as finger pointing, but here I was just making observations. I am a local RACES officer in Fall River, MA and constantly monitor the local repeaters and public service emergency frequencies. I also monitor some of the HF frequencies used around this area for emergency traffic. I do hear quite a bit of "garbage" over the air, although it doesn't happen constantly, it is there. I offer my post as "food for thought", not accusation. 73! Chris J. Smith, K1CJS Reply to a comment by : NN6EE on 2002-08-23 My experience thru 40+ years of continuous Amateur Radio operation is that the biggest "Pains in the Butt" and the most HYPOCRITICAL are the guys who complain about everything that is WRONG with Amateur Radio!!! They are the types who will be listening in on a conversation and when they hear something they think is inappropriate they'll chime in with RUDE COMMENTS anonymously, breaking one of the tenents of our hobby they so "SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY" decry!!! That's only 1 example of poor operating habits carried on by those who always point their finger at "THE OTHER GUY!!!". JIM

WA0TML	2002-08-24
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I've been licensed since the late 1960's and have been asking this same question for about 20 years. I believe the decline is due to how New Hams get into the hobby. When I started in ham radio, I stopped by a local ham's home and he very graciously became my Elmer. In all my years as a ham I have only had two non-hams stop by and talk with me about being their Elmer. One of those was about 8 years ago. The other was 20 plus years ago. Another problem is even though Amateur Radio is advancing technologically, it is no loner the technological hobby of the day. Now back to the main topic - every one of us should strive to follow the Code to the best of our abilities. 73, Trent Hays WB0HZL

KB0NLY	2002-08-23
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
"The Amateurs Code whent the way of the 20 WPM Extra! Any time you dumb down the hobby, it suffers!" YEAH RIGHT!! I hear more abusive and loud mouthed sh@% from some of the so called old timers that had to take the 20 WPM test than i do from any local no-code hams. Anyone here read QST lately, such as any monthly issue in the last year or two, who are the hams who keep getting in trouble with the FCC. Most of the enforcement actions i have read about in QST, at least 90%, where hams that have passed the so-called morality filter (CW TESTING). Just because someone knows the code doesn't mean they are a better operator, they just happen to know it is all. www.nocode.org Scott, KBØNLY As you can see i am not afraid of using my real name to voice my opinion. Reply to a comment by : AD4NK on 2002-08-23 The Amateurs Code whent the way of the 20 WPM Extra! Any time you dumb down the hobby, it suffers!

AD4NK	2002-08-23
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
The Amateurs Code whent the way of the 20 WPM Extra! Any time you dumb down the hobby, it suffers!

NN6EE	2002-08-23
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
My experience thru 40+ years of continuous Amateur Radio operation is that the biggest "Pains in the Butt" and the most HYPOCRITICAL are the guys who complain about everything that is WRONG with Amateur Radio!!! They are the types who will be listening in on a conversation and when they hear something they think is inappropriate they'll chime in with RUDE COMMENTS anonymously, breaking one of the tenents of our hobby they so "SELF-RIGHTEOUSLY" decry!!! That's only 1 example of poor operating habits carried on by those who always point their finger at "THE OTHER GUY!!!". JIM

KC0IOX	2002-08-22
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Nice post. It does make me think about my own operating practices, and those of others. Having been a member of the amateur community for only 2 years, I have nothing to compare these times with, but I can say that from where I sit, the amateurs in my area are terrific, and I'm proud to count myself among them. Also, I've heard nothing on the air that is all that bad for the most part, and never in any QSOs that I've had; they've all been friendly, and enjoyable. Thankfully for me, I live in a small town in South Dakota, and while there aren't that many hams here, the ones that are here are terrific. I would imagine that there are a lot of the bad operating practices that go on in more populated areas. Ironically, it's taken a site like eham.net to make me aware of the goings on with some folks, and after listening to some of the bands, I've noticed some poor operating. Thankfully, however, the ham communtiy here is good, and I've enjoyed my experience with ham radio. It's all I thought it would be, and even more! I wish you all the best in your experiences. Vy 73, Eric

WS4BS	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I am sorry to hear that there are areas where amateurs do not abide by these standards. I would think that since you are aware of these things that you would gather together with others in your area and devise a way to eliminate the problem. I seldom hear of abnormal operation around here and when it rears up we get Bubba and the gang and go have a talk with them. All situations I am aware of since 1985 have been resolved peacefully. I wish you the best of luck resolving problems in your area. 73 ARS:WD4Lee Reply to a comment by : W6XRL4 on 2002-08-21 THE CURRENT AMATEUR'S CODE, OR WHAT IT HAS NOW TURNED INTO IN THE YEAR 2002 The Radio Amateur is: IN-CONSIDERATE...knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others. Has CB'er mentality, always willing to argue and fight. Uses big amplifiers with distorted and lousy audio just to talk to his buddy across the street. Uses profanity, foul words or meaning, 11 meter jargon, poor operating practices and is as rude as can be. UN-LOYAL...offers dis-loyalty, discouragement and does not support other amateurs. Hates local clubs, even other amateurs or even himself. Mocks the American Radio Relay League, the only group through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally. UN-PROGRESSIVE...with no knowledge abreast of science or a shoddy built and in-efficient station, he has an on the air operation, a deportment equal to CB'ers in a class known as "Appliance Operator" or "LID". UN-FRIENDLY...mentally challenged, but really retarded, with impatient or improper operating practices. Willing to give unfriendly or moronic advice and counsel. And ready to flame or burn anyone especially the beginner. Giving them no consideration because they are just Greenhorns, Wanna be's or Johnny-come-lately's (JCL's). Who currently only pass their exams by guessing, then only to obtain and hide behind a vanity call sign of a real old timer. These are the hallmarks of the current goober amateur spirit. UN-BALANCED...To the hot head ham, radio is not an avocation, to them it is like professional radio in their own distorted and perverted way of thinking. They boast and pontificate, but are hypocrites by their own words and actions. Willing to lesson the pleasure of others by mocking or attacking one verbally, while all the time hiding behind their HT's, microphones or e-mail because they are too chicken to face you in person. UN-PATRIOTIC...with a LID station and sub-skills and a poor education they are always ready to stick their noses in other peoples business, and ready to skip the country and community when the going gets rough, only to say screw you, hey it's not my job. This revision was made after observing some of the continual poor operating practices, deportment and flaming by so-called ham radio operators on the amateur bands. 73, Not a JCL, just stating the facts. Reply to a comment by : N6AJR on 2002-08-21 Remember , its about people who own radios, not just Radios.. 73 tom N6AJR

AH6RO	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
My experience has been fairly positive on the whole, both on the low bands and the local repeaters here on the Big Island in Hawaii. However, I was in LA on business last month and couldn't believe the swearing, name calling, and the intentional jamming I heard on a couple repeaters there. For those that live in environments like these, my condolences. Does make me think again about putting something back into the hobby, like helping out someone new or volunteering for ARES, ... Reply to a comment by : W5HTW on 2002-08-22 I think I am fortunate to live in the Southwest, far enough from both coasts that I do not hear the weird stuff reported here and other places. Here, even 75 meters is a pleasant band. I hear good conversations about things like music, trucks, chickens, real estate, amplifiers, flying, photography, antique cars, old radios. I admit I'm not browsing around listening for the bad guys, so maybe they are there. But my experience proves to me that not ALL of 75 meters fits into the category the bi-coastal folk tell us. The same applies to 20 meters, and with its much longer range, I really doubt more than one-half of a percent of the QSOs on that band are not in compliance with the Code. And, folks, the same applies to 40 meters. So perhaps it is all about "location, location, location." On the other hand, if I want to find the most violations of the code, I DO know where to find them. But I rarely listen to repeaters anyway, so it isn't a problem for me. To the question: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs' Code?' Well, the same thing that happened to the rest of society's code. Too many people, wanting too much, too soon (immediately, please) with too little exertion, for too little cost. It shows in our schools, in our jobs, in every aspect of society. So we are not unique; we are a part of that society that won't wait for the green light at the intersection, or for the oncoming driver before making a left turn. We are the ones, hams or not, who rush to the store, rush to college, rush to oblivion, because we won't give someone else their turn. So why is it a surprise it affects ham radio? Gosh it was nice to see a ham tag on a car and beep a quick "HI" and get a friendly one back. Now try it and you'll get the IQ salute, or a long blast on the horn, or a frightened look from some woman alone. It was nice to get on the air and hear someone splattering on AM, a bit of spurious emission, and slip up there and tell him his mike gain was too high, and get a "thank you." Now you'll get maximum microphone gain and he'll slip down your way a bit. We live in the "you got yours, now I'm going to get mine and the hell with you" society. The "get out of my way" society. But I can find really interesting conversations on 75 meters, discussing rebuilding a sports car, or in the local coffee shop, discussing the drought. Or I can run down to the cowboy bar and walk in there with a chip on my shoulder, and get my tail whipped, and I can crawl home and say "Man I hate cowboy bars, and those cowboys are no good." It's all about attitude, and it isn't just ham radio, folks. I doubt it's going to get better. But the nice thing is, it is such a tiny, tiny minority on the ham bands, I have to work really hard to find it. Like that cowboy bar. 73 Ed Reply to a comment by : N0TONE on 2002-08-22 For those who have blissfully never heard any rudeness or other bad behaviour on the air, and are mistakenly thinking that this must mean there never is any, I herewith offer you not one but TWO websites which brazenly document rude, crude, and illegal on-air behaviour, and do so proudly. This website includes audio clips of music played on the air, vague threats to FCC personnel and others, and links to a bragadicio website referring to a 10kW amplifier which a ham (who identifies himself) has placed on the air: http://www.ky-filters.com/save7258.htm Here's a site that includes audio clips of SK V31BB. The man was funny, but his style of humour was often insulting and full of put-downs. http://www.papays.com/audio.html Anybody who lives on the west coast can listen on 7250 through about 7260 on Saturdays or Sundays, starting about noon onwards. You'll hear plenty of discussions of the sort that college boys often have after too many beers, and a lot of unidentified transmissions. AM Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

W5HTW	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I think I am fortunate to live in the Southwest, far enough from both coasts that I do not hear the weird stuff reported here and other places. Here, even 75 meters is a pleasant band. I hear good conversations about things like music, trucks, chickens, real estate, amplifiers, flying, photography, antique cars, old radios. I admit I'm not browsing around listening for the bad guys, so maybe they are there. But my experience proves to me that not ALL of 75 meters fits into the category the bi-coastal folk tell us. The same applies to 20 meters, and with its much longer range, I really doubt more than one-half of a percent of the QSOs on that band are not in compliance with the Code. And, folks, the same applies to 40 meters. So perhaps it is all about "location, location, location." On the other hand, if I want to find the most violations of the code, I DO know where to find them. But I rarely listen to repeaters anyway, so it isn't a problem for me. To the question: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs' Code?' Well, the same thing that happened to the rest of society's code. Too many people, wanting too much, too soon (immediately, please) with too little exertion, for too little cost. It shows in our schools, in our jobs, in every aspect of society. So we are not unique; we are a part of that society that won't wait for the green light at the intersection, or for the oncoming driver before making a left turn. We are the ones, hams or not, who rush to the store, rush to college, rush to oblivion, because we won't give someone else their turn. So why is it a surprise it affects ham radio? Gosh it was nice to see a ham tag on a car and beep a quick "HI" and get a friendly one back. Now try it and you'll get the IQ salute, or a long blast on the horn, or a frightened look from some woman alone. It was nice to get on the air and hear someone splattering on AM, a bit of spurious emission, and slip up there and tell him his mike gain was too high, and get a "thank you." Now you'll get maximum microphone gain and he'll slip down your way a bit. We live in the "you got yours, now I'm going to get mine and the hell with you" society. The "get out of my way" society. But I can find really interesting conversations on 75 meters, discussing rebuilding a sports car, or in the local coffee shop, discussing the drought. Or I can run down to the cowboy bar and walk in there with a chip on my shoulder, and get my tail whipped, and I can crawl home and say "Man I hate cowboy bars, and those cowboys are no good." It's all about attitude, and it isn't just ham radio, folks. I doubt it's going to get better. But the nice thing is, it is such a tiny, tiny minority on the ham bands, I have to work really hard to find it. Like that cowboy bar. 73 Ed Reply to a comment by : N0TONE on 2002-08-22 For those who have blissfully never heard any rudeness or other bad behaviour on the air, and are mistakenly thinking that this must mean there never is any, I herewith offer you not one but TWO websites which brazenly document rude, crude, and illegal on-air behaviour, and do so proudly. This website includes audio clips of music played on the air, vague threats to FCC personnel and others, and links to a bragadicio website referring to a 10kW amplifier which a ham (who identifies himself) has placed on the air: http://www.ky-filters.com/save7258.htm Here's a site that includes audio clips of SK V31BB. The man was funny, but his style of humour was often insulting and full of put-downs. http://www.papays.com/audio.html Anybody who lives on the west coast can listen on 7250 through about 7260 on Saturdays or Sundays, starting about noon onwards. You'll hear plenty of discussions of the sort that college boys often have after too many beers, and a lot of unidentified transmissions. AM Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

WB2WIK	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
The code was written before TVI, RFI, telephone I, computer I, modem I, Nintendo I, Gamecube I, and every other sort of "I" which now requires that we not only get along with each other, but also with our neighbors. Before _really_ getting active on the bands, buy a large box of ferrite filters and practice using them... WB2WIK/6 Reply to a comment by : KS3J on 2002-08-22 I agree with, and abide by the Amateur's Code, with one exception. I DO NOT believe that one must be loyal to and supportive of the ARRL to be an amateur. The ARRL, while well-intentioned, cannot claim a majority of radio amateurs as members. Like some other large organizations (the NAB springs to mind), it often manages to accomplish goals that are diametrically opposite to the wishes of the ham community in general. They rarely represent my views. A good ham need not be a member of any organization to enjoy the hobby properly and responsibly. Scott KD4DCY Reply to a comment by : N0TONE on 2002-08-22 For those who have blissfully never heard any rudeness or other bad behaviour on the air, and are mistakenly thinking that this must mean there never is any, I herewith offer you not one but TWO websites which brazenly document rude, crude, and illegal on-air behaviour, and do so proudly. This website includes audio clips of music played on the air, vague threats to FCC personnel and others, and links to a bragadicio website referring to a 10kW amplifier which a ham (who identifies himself) has placed on the air: http://www.ky-filters.com/save7258.htm Here's a site that includes audio clips of SK V31BB. The man was funny, but his style of humour was often insulting and full of put-downs. http://www.papays.com/audio.html Anybody who lives on the west coast can listen on 7250 through about 7260 on Saturdays or Sundays, starting about noon onwards. You'll hear plenty of discussions of the sort that college boys often have after too many beers, and a lot of unidentified transmissions. AM Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

KS3J	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I agree with, and abide by the Amateur's Code, with one exception. I DO NOT believe that one must be loyal to and supportive of the ARRL to be an amateur. The ARRL, while well-intentioned, cannot claim a majority of radio amateurs as members. Like some other large organizations (the NAB springs to mind), it often manages to accomplish goals that are diametrically opposite to the wishes of the ham community in general. They rarely represent my views. A good ham need not be a member of any organization to enjoy the hobby properly and responsibly. Scott KD4DCY Reply to a comment by : N0TONE on 2002-08-22 For those who have blissfully never heard any rudeness or other bad behaviour on the air, and are mistakenly thinking that this must mean there never is any, I herewith offer you not one but TWO websites which brazenly document rude, crude, and illegal on-air behaviour, and do so proudly. This website includes audio clips of music played on the air, vague threats to FCC personnel and others, and links to a bragadicio website referring to a 10kW amplifier which a ham (who identifies himself) has placed on the air: http://www.ky-filters.com/save7258.htm Here's a site that includes audio clips of SK V31BB. The man was funny, but his style of humour was often insulting and full of put-downs. http://www.papays.com/audio.html Anybody who lives on the west coast can listen on 7250 through about 7260 on Saturdays or Sundays, starting about noon onwards. You'll hear plenty of discussions of the sort that college boys often have after too many beers, and a lot of unidentified transmissions. AM Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

N0TONE	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
For those who have blissfully never heard any rudeness or other bad behaviour on the air, and are mistakenly thinking that this must mean there never is any, I herewith offer you not one but TWO websites which brazenly document rude, crude, and illegal on-air behaviour, and do so proudly. This website includes audio clips of music played on the air, vague threats to FCC personnel and others, and links to a bragadicio website referring to a 10kW amplifier which a ham (who identifies himself) has placed on the air: http://www.ky-filters.com/save7258.htm Here's a site that includes audio clips of SK V31BB. The man was funny, but his style of humour was often insulting and full of put-downs. http://www.papays.com/audio.html Anybody who lives on the west coast can listen on 7250 through about 7260 on Saturdays or Sundays, starting about noon onwards. You'll hear plenty of discussions of the sort that college boys often have after too many beers, and a lot of unidentified transmissions. AM Reply to a comment by : K6NXI on 2002-08-22 You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

K6NXI	2002-08-22
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
You've lived a blissfully sheltered amateur existence then :)) I've encountered a tremendoud amount of "Bad stuff" Seems it's either old timers who don't care who they insult, middle aged elitists who love to sound like know it alls, and younger just from CB folks who thing HAM is just another form of CB and haven't caught on yet that it's step above.. Reply to a comment by : N2XE on 2002-08-21 Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

K6NXI	2002-08-22
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
You can be assured no avid(and brainless) contester has ever read it. The single most vagrant abuse of the rules there is. Way too much power than necessary, totally clogging up the band with interference and conveying no real intelligent communication, just CONTEST CONTEST CQ CONTEST Roget your 5by9 QRZED CONTEST! Like a bunch of screaming brainless monkeys yelping hteir heads off.

WB2TQC	2002-08-22
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Perhaps I'm not AS active as other operators but I fail to see the abuse that so many others have reported. I've been a ham since 1978 but not always so active. I monitor 3 or 4 Hudson Valley repeaters and have only observed questionable activity once or twice. I don't operate Sideband other than to chase a DX station every once in awhile. Perhaps it's just too much effort to pound out the expletives on CW. I find most hams to be courteous, helpful, and interesting people. I try my best to operate in a manner that reflects well on me and on the Amateur service in general. Unfortunately I fall short in the technological department (Hi, Hi) but I try.

W6XRL4	2002-08-21
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
THE CURRENT AMATEUR'S CODE, OR WHAT IT HAS NOW TURNED INTO IN THE YEAR 2002 The Radio Amateur is: IN-CONSIDERATE...knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others. Has CB'er mentality, always willing to argue and fight. Uses big amplifiers with distorted and lousy audio just to talk to his buddy across the street. Uses profanity, foul words or meaning, 11 meter jargon, poor operating practices and is as rude as can be. UN-LOYAL...offers dis-loyalty, discouragement and does not support other amateurs. Hates local clubs, even other amateurs or even himself. Mocks the American Radio Relay League, the only group through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally. UN-PROGRESSIVE...with no knowledge abreast of science or a shoddy built and in-efficient station, he has an on the air operation, a deportment equal to CB'ers in a class known as "Appliance Operator" or "LID". UN-FRIENDLY...mentally challenged, but really retarded, with impatient or improper operating practices. Willing to give unfriendly or moronic advice and counsel. And ready to flame or burn anyone especially the beginner. Giving them no consideration because they are just Greenhorns, Wanna be's or Johnny-come-lately's (JCL's). Who currently only pass their exams by guessing, then only to obtain and hide behind a vanity call sign of a real old timer. These are the hallmarks of the current goober amateur spirit. UN-BALANCED...To the hot head ham, radio is not an avocation, to them it is like professional radio in their own distorted and perverted way of thinking. They boast and pontificate, but are hypocrites by their own words and actions. Willing to lesson the pleasure of others by mocking or attacking one verbally, while all the time hiding behind their HT's, microphones or e-mail because they are too chicken to face you in person. UN-PATRIOTIC...with a LID station and sub-skills and a poor education they are always ready to stick their noses in other peoples business, and ready to skip the country and community when the going gets rough, only to say screw you, hey it's not my job. This revision was made after observing some of the continual poor operating practices, deportment and flaming by so-called ham radio operators on the amateur bands. 73, Not a JCL, just stating the facts. Reply to a comment by : N6AJR on 2002-08-21 Remember , its about people who own radios, not just Radios.. 73 tom N6AJR

N6AJR	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Remember , its about people who own radios, not just Radios.. 73 tom N6AJR

KD5SCG	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?; it's st
I find that most amateurs follow this code even if they don't know exists. All amateurs that I have talked to have been courteous. It's a shame that non-hams aren't more like this. For example at my public high school, today someone was bothering me because I was the only one who was willing to work with the girl who didn't fit the mold. He kept bothering me until finally I just turned around and stared him down, now all his jack*ss friends are saying that they are going to pop a cap in my ass. Now let me tell you, if I want to get a courteous respectful person to talk to, without fail I WILL find one on the radio. So you tell me when the last time someone told you to go <insert expletive here> yourself, over the radio.

MY_OPINION	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
The Amateur's Code was a great starting document in 1928 but sadly has not been updated. Consider these pts: Considerate: "Well the contests are only a few days a year" (Take a look at www.contesting.com for a list of the several contests running every weekend of the year). "My group/buddies/ego have been meeting on this frequency at this time for years so we "own" it." (Listen to the 75m mess). ETC. Loyal: Works both ways. The ARRL does not count among its members anywhere near the majority of US licensed hams. The reasons are legion. On the other hand, things indeed have been improving recently and the ARRL deserves support and encouragement for moving in more productive directions. Working within the system to make things better and/or working outside the league to make things better are the reasonable options. Carping, bleating, crowing, etc. do a disservice to the individual as well as the amateur service, and disparage the animals so referenced. Be loyal at the least to the amateur service, if the ARRL does not seem to work for you. Progressive: That means learn or continue to learn. The patent office did not close and technology will not stop its progression. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. No animal noises. Friendly: Look in the mirror and ask for honest and wise counsel. Balanced: Probably the easiest to attain but subjective in nature. See Friendly for solution. Patriotic: Again, see Friendly. The Amateur's Code is a snapshot in time look at what is important. It can be summed into the clever statement: Be an Elmer, not a Fudd! Yes, Amateur Radio is a reflection of society. The opportunities remain endless. It is simple for life in general and it is simple for the amateur service: Lead by good example. 73

N1IV	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Thanks for the reminder, Chris. It's now on our club's home page... we should all remember it and practice it.

W4CX	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
The ARRL's "Messiest Shack Contest" would seem to fly in the face of #2: PROGRESSIVE. Can someone tell me how glorifying sloppy construction practice and horrific safety hazards works to inspire us to excel? So...where's the ARRL "Shack of Honor" award???

K4PDM	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
"The Radio Amateur's Code" is often reprinted in QST, although it has been revised into a more modern form. It is an excellent guide to follow. In order to improve the overall quality of contacts on the bands, good operators must GET ON AND OPERATE!! If the poor ops run the good ones off, of course the bands will be filled with trash! Get on a clear frequency and call CQ, or listen around until you find someone calling CQ. There have always been "lids" on the bands (although, in my experience, not as many as some people seem to think.) Anyway, if the courteous operators give up, it is obvious who will be left. The one thing I wish that today's newer hams would do is READ, READ, READ. Not that I am the pinnacle of hamdom, but before I was licensed I bought all the amateur books and magazines I could find, old and new..I couldn't get enough knowledge. It was all so magical to me! Although I supported the lower code requirements, one good thing about the old code test is that, generally, it gave hams more operating time before upgrading. And during that time, they LEARNED BY DOING. Today, many extra-classs hams are new on the air, and just don't have that experience. More than ever, newer hams need to listen to good operators, emulate them, and read all they can about ham radio.

WX3K	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Amateur Radio pretty much mirrors the growth of society with respect to what I refer to as the "AH Factor". The higher the population of folks in a given "community", the greater chance of having those that act like AHs ! Demographically, Amateur Radio attracts people from all areas of life. There is no area of life where one can escape this. There are many bands of frequencies to use in this hobby. Folks indebted to this hobby like myself need to stick together, support it in a positive way(Do something constructive for the hobby instead of groan on the air of its supposed demise). There are plenty of positive newcomers in the hobby. Encourage them with the Amateur's code. Avoid sounding elitist as I find this turns people off.

N5XM	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Chris, thanks for reminding us about "The Amateur's Code". I'm sort of in the middle here, as far as how I feel about this issue. Certainly, there are all kinds of personalities on the air, but in my opinion, it does nothing but good for us to be reminded of these adages. The Amateur's Code is a part of Ham History, but it is also part of what should set us apart from just any old Tom, Dick, and Harry out there walking the streets. I have always felt like Hams are special people, but human nature being what it is, we don't always act special. When you strip all the superficial layers down to bare copper, what you find is that our great hobby, our lifestyle, is really about people and how we relate to one another. That's why I'll never understand hit and run contacts. It is a free country, however, and we all have the right to feel however we want to feel about these things. I'm just thankful we live in a country where individuality and personal freedom is so important. 73 to all...Richard, n5xm

WB5TVI	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Ham radio has provided me the great opportunity and privilege of talking to America and the world. I have established many lifelong friendships and I have learned and enjoyed much. Looking back on my 26 years as a licensed amateur, I could focus on some truly black-eye on-the-air incidents for our hobby. However, I choose to remember the countless hours I have spent participating in and listening to wonderful ragchews/nets/contests/etc.. I often read criticisms of ragchews as being mundane / health-net / dribble. Think of how fantastic it is to have others to share our lives with …the good, the bad, and the everyday. Many people spend their days alone, with no one to talk to. Within any group of humans (from the church to the bowling league etc.) there are always those few who might tarnish the many. Yes, it is the few. Please focus on and be grateful for the many fine amateurs that do continue to operate in the spirit of “THE AMATEUR CODE”. 73, Don Hice WB5TVI

N7INK	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
As the ARES DEC and County RACES Officer I run twice monthly training nets. I try to make it a point of reading the code on the air during the first January training session each year to remind our members of our responsbilities to be good operators. I believe it is as applicable today as it was when it was written.

NB6Z	2002-08-21
RE: Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
The Amateurs Code sounds about right! I still prefer the company of other ham operators over "normal" people, as they just seem to be a better class of humans in general. Reply to a comment by : K7NNG on 2002-08-21 I have a copy of the "code" on my wall in the shack. I have often wondered how we got away from it. I agree with your statements. Ham radio has gotten to the point of Use, and Abuse.

N4VNV	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Was very glad to see the previous comments that they only see good operators. I guess I should move to their locaton. I've been on the verge of giving up ham radio for about five years now. I operate on most all amateur bands but I hear 85% garbage. I dearly love ham radio, but a decent ragchew is harder to come by than winning the lottery.

N2XE	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
Well, your experience must be far far different than mine. Where I come from, Earth, all the hams I know follow that code pretty much to the letter. I've been doing this for 12 years and have never run across ANY objectionable behavior-- on the air or off.

K7NNG	2002-08-21
Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?
I have a copy of the "code" on my wall in the shack. I have often wondered how we got away from it. I agree with your statements. Ham radio has gotten to the point of Use, and Abuse.

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Whatever happened to 'The Amateurs Code'?

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