View Full Version : Thank You
Similar in spirit to another recent news article here on qrz.com, I would like to take this time to suggest to everyone that they thank another fellow amateur. One of the major problems facing amateur radio today is the loss of trained, knowledgable operators and our attitude towards change. Many people have debated the code / no-code topic, debated the proficiency of recently licensed Technician class licensees, debated BPL and many other topics.
Even when you believe that your view of a topic is "more correct" than the view of another amateur that should not become a bragging right to be flaunted in public in order to make the other amateur feel like less of a person. That person's view of a topic is just as valid as any other person's. Opinions are just that, opinions. At the very least you should thank them for sharing their view with you.
If the person has given an opinion where one does not belong, such as in a discussion regarding a technical question which only has one correct answer, simply say so politely.. "I appreciate your insight on the matter, but could you point me towards a reference that shows the answer so that I may study it."
If another amateur in the local community that normally "doesn't bother" to associate or converse with Technician class operators answers a question for you, and you happen to be a Tech, thank them.. It'll let them know that you appreciate the guidance and will help dispel the myth that Technician's "think they know everything".
If your the officer of a amateur radio club and a member that you don't care for renews his dues, thank them for supporting the club anyway, your not only a representative of the club but of amateur radio in general.
I hate to compare amateur radio to retail sales but I'm going to. Anyone that's ever been employed in a retail sales position knows that "attitude is everything". Having a positive and outgoing attitude is the number one method of increasing sales. That is just what we're trying to do in amateur radio. When your out talking to others about amateur radio you are "selling" amateur radio as a hobby.
The same strategy applies when on the air. If you're calling CQ and someone answers you, thank them. If you throw your callsign out on a repeater hoping for an answer ("NB2E, Listening") and someone answers you, thank them. If someone throws their callsign out on a repeater, answer them, it may your opportunity to make a friend or elmer another amateur that has a question.
As it stands right now, many of us on qrz.com are failing in our duties as a amateurs. The Part 97 Rules list "Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."* as one of the principles of amateur radio. Yet how can we be expected to contribute to international goodwill if we can not show goodwill toward amateurs of our own country?
I know that this topic does not apply to all the users of qrz.com but I would like to leave everyone with one final thought.
When was the last time you said "thank you"?
73' and Thanks for Reading,
Ric Letson, NB2E
*Part 97.1(e)
W2INR
07-28-2004, 06:29 PM
Thank you Ric
G- The INR
na4it
07-28-2004, 06:32 PM
Ditto! And, if we don't "sell" ourselves, who will?
nt4xt
07-28-2004, 08:42 PM
Nice work.
Thank You.
I feel #must say, however, that here, and elsewhere on the Internet where posts are placed by people, is somewhat different than On The Air chatting, QSOs, Rag Chews, even "5NN TU" frenzied DX pile-up contacts.
Here you can see, 5NN TU ends in TU. #Maybe as much as a dit dit. #Half the exchange is Thank U.
I cannot remember the last time I ended a QSO with anyone, CW or SSB, where it wasn't ended with courtesy, pleasantries, and basically, thankfulness for the engagement. #Well, I remember a couple times, once when my power went out in mid Q, the other, my radio died, in mid Q. #So those don't count.
I wholeheartedly agree that courtesy is of the highest priority.
It has been my on air experience in the last nearly 3 years, that receiving thanks and expressing thanks, is almost a given. #Perhaps even, taken for granted to the extent that I must embellish my thanks, occasionally.
You know, when you are finishing truly a most enjoyable conversation, both parties were interested truly in what the other was saying, or even, just one party. #That happens to me some time, you get on with someone 60-90+ years under their belt, they have stories to tell, and some of them ARE interesting. #Sometimes I'll just kick back and let them do the talking! In these cases, mere TNX GREAT QSO won't do, but rather I'll take the time to say what I mean, even on CW at moderately slower speeds. #I'll take the time and make the other person endure the time it takes for me to send something liKe, "Tnx- awesome qso its been a while since I had one like this. #Truly a pleasure, it's been a blast with you here tonite. Blessings to you and your family, until next one, vy 73. GN..." #These kinds of endings are RAMPANT, at least they sure are on 40m CW!
73!
n2obm
07-28-2004, 10:23 PM
Well said sir. And Thank You all.
Thank you Ric
One of the ways I say Thank You to this hobby is to pass on my QST's and other radio related magazines to the new Technicians. #I don't let them stack up on my shelf or try to sell them on the internet. #I also loan code tapes and tape players to the new Techs in the hope they will be interested in becoming a General or Extra Class licensee. #They, in turn, will promote this hobby of ours.
Thank You
Ron - W7VU
Celebrating 51+ years of amatuer radio
kb9ibw
07-29-2004, 01:46 AM
The Msg from nb2e is right on and refreshing.
We need to support and praise one another in the Amateur Radio hobby. We also need to support and produce new and exciting events that give Amateur Radio the spotlite. We should have a big Thank you Ham Radio fellowship day on the air.
I have tried to show support for amateur radio by comming up with Special events to ive the hobby a boost in the press and the public eye. See www.geocities.com/kb9ibw.
Let's do more to strenghen our hobby, and bring in new Amateurs. We surely need more young ham's to keep the hobby alive.
There should be a ham radio special event centerd around every major event so that we can showcase our hobby to the community and world.
Keep ham radio alive and fresh!
Emery / KB9IBW
KC8WSZ
07-29-2004, 02:54 AM
Thanks Ric!
Putting an Amateur Radio event with other events is a great idea http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif That would really encourage people. I only got interested in Amateur Radio because I went to a fete and my local Radio club had a stall. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You make a good point. Thank you...
73 de kg6top
Jason
I'd like to say thank you to all those that have posted in reply to my article and are taking it to heart.
Qrz.com is a wonderful forum for expression when it comes to amateur radio topics. An interesting fact is that a search for "Amateur Radio" on google.com (The internet's top search engine) returns qrz.com as the second website in a list of 1,360,000 websites containing the words "Amateur Radio" second only to arrl.org. #This makes qrz.com a very public website for anyone seeking information regarding our hobby.
I hope that people realize that when they post a message on qrz.com they are posting not only to other amateurs but to the public as well and that the more pleasant we are with each other on this forum the more pleasant and enjoyable the general public will perceive our hobby.
I, myself, am not without guilt when it comes to having made a few rather harsh comments on the qrz.com forums. I've made a promise to myself that I'll attempt to not only keep a civil tongue on the forums from this point on but to also attempt to be as pleasant as possible.
The two most important principles of amateur radio as far as I'm concerned are technical experimentation and international goodwill, perhaps it's time for an electronic device that interprets voice patterns and converts cynicism, sarcasm and rude vocal tones into optimism, sincerety and kindness. ;-)
73' and Thanks!
Ric Letson, NB2E
k4uug
08-01-2004, 10:54 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (nb2e @ July 24 2004,04:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Similar in spirit to another recent news article here on qrz.com, I would like to take this time to suggest to everyone that they thank another fellow amateur. One of the major problems facing amateur radio today is the loss of trained, knowledgable operators and our attitude towards change. Many people have debated the code / no-code topic, debated the proficiency of recently licensed Technician class licensees, debated BPL and many other topics.
Even when you believe that your view of a topic is "more correct" than the view of another amateur that should not become a bragging right to be flaunted in public in order to make the other amateur feel like less of a person. That person's view of a topic is just as valid as any other person's. Opinions are just that, opinions. At the very least you should thank them for sharing their view with you.
If the person has given an opinion where one does not belong, such as in a discussion regarding a technical question which only has one correct answer, simply say so politely.. "I appreciate your insight on the matter, but could you point me towards a reference that shows the answer so that I may study it."
If another amateur in the local community that normally "doesn't bother" to associate or converse with Technician class operators answers a question for you, and you happen to be a Tech, thank them.. It'll let them know that you appreciate the guidance and will help dispel the myth that Technician's "think they know everything".
If your the officer of a amateur radio club and a member that you don't care for renews his dues, thank them for supporting the club anyway, your not only a representative of the club but of amateur radio in general.
I hate to compare amateur radio to retail sales but I'm going to. Anyone that's ever been employed in a retail sales position knows that "attitude is everything". Having a positive and outgoing attitude is the number one method of increasing sales. That is just what we're trying to do in amateur radio. When your out talking to others about amateur radio you are "selling" amateur radio as a hobby.
The same strategy applies when on the air. If you're calling CQ and someone answers you, thank them. If you throw your callsign out on a repeater hoping for an answer ("NB2E, Listening") and someone answers you, thank them. If someone throws their callsign out on a repeater, answer them, it may your opportunity to make a friend or elmer another amateur that has a question.
As it stands right now, many of us on qrz.com are failing in our duties as a amateurs. The Part 97 Rules list "Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill."* as one of the principles of amateur radio. Yet how can we be expected to contribute to international goodwill if we can not show goodwill toward amateurs of our own country?
I know that this topic does not apply to all the users of qrz.com but I would like to leave everyone with one final thought.
When was the last time you said "thank you"?
73' and Thanks for Reading,
Ric Letson, NB2E
*Part 97.1(e)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
watch out rich that talk can get you ban from QRZ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Hi Ric,
Nice comments ans worth bringing to the forefront. Sometimes, individuals forget that.
I was raised to say please and thank you and I am the first to thank anyone for anything done for me or in my name.
Being this is suppose to be a hobby, sometimes I wonder why there are so many individuals in it that seem so miserable and discontent with the way it is set up? Seems to me, why bother getting into a hobby that isn't what you want it to be? Why not try something else?
Who knows. But to reiterate what you stated, "thank you" for putting in the good post. Everyone needs to read it.