What About Lessons Learned?

[ae2ny]

I've admitted I may have made a mistake in the SATERN Net. I'll even go so far as to say that maybe I should have put my license at risk. But the important thing is, lessons have been learned. I could understand all the judgementalism had I not learned anything out of the experience. But I have, and that mistake won't be made again on any Net that I am directing.

My question is directed at not only Fred (AA7BQ) but at all the others that have literally turned their backs on me in this situation...

When is it enough? The fact is, I've learned from this, so why can't we move on? I've made apologies where necessary, and admitted I handled it incorrectly.

My problem is that Fred re-opened this thread and all that's happening is more slams on what COULD have or SHOULD have happened. Enough is enough.

Accept the fact that I said I was wrong, I handled it incorrectly, and I've learned from it. One of two things can happen now...

1) Everyone turning their backs on me gives me the chance to prove myself and my ability to hold a ticket.

2) I turn in my license which I'm sure more than one person would love.

Well choice #2 isn't going to happen, you have my word on that.

So what's it gonna be?


Anthony - AE2NY

[KC9ECI]

I wouldn't worry about it Tony. It was your call and yours alone. The Monday morning quarterbacking doesn't mean a thing. Here's another saying for you, 'hindsight is 20/20.' It's easy for all of these people condeming you and being critical of your decision, but then they weren't the one in the hot seat were they? They don't know how they really would have reacted in the same situation. Until they've been there, its all just talk.

If this turns out to be the smallest mistake you make in your lifetime. you've done very well for yourself.

[W5MJL]

I agree. You thought you were doing the right thing. There was no harm done. Don't worry about. The problems come from people that DON'T LEARN from their mistakes. You OBVIOUSLY HAVE.

[N3ATS]

I don't know your experience in handling emergency traffic, but as someone who spent 10 years as 911 radio dispatcher, there is one thing you learn...

Don't second guess yourself! The time spent "second guessing" wastes the time you're trying to save in the first place!

You make the decision you think is right at the time. You do what you have to do. Learning to fly by the seat of yor pants, and making split second decisions is something that comes with years of experience.

I spent many sleepless nights thinking "what if"? What if? What if? If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. Don't worry about it. You can't let it get you down.

[kj5t]

I did not comment on the other thread, and I won't. There is too much bashing. I believe you made a choice, and I was not there to know the offical situation. I don't know what I would have done, it really depends. If an unlicensed ham was coming out of the diaster area and needed help, I would have put that through. If someone was no in imediate danger, I would not have put them through. I may get flamed on this, and the truth is I don't know what was going on at the time. Though I am under the impression that this happened after the hurricane hit and things had calmed down quite a bit. If things were calm, and they were a hurricane hunter, did they not have what they needed on board to spot hurricanes? I really don't know what I would do, but Tony, I don't think you did wrong.

[kf4lne]

Ok, I didn't see the other thread you people speak of, but could someone PM me and fill me in on what happened?

[W5JO]

Anthony you made a decision which is more than most people can't do effectively. Stand by your decision, quit apologizing and hold your head up. You did something. if no one made a decision, nothing would happen.

I suspicion that many of us learned in this episode. Keep up the good work and don't loose faith in those around you and most especially yourself.

[W0LPQ]

Anthony, I agree with JO ... you made a decision based on your experience. More than a lot of us could do ..! You learn and go on from there.

Hold your head up and go from there. Nothing to be ashamed about..! I have been in your shoes. You learn from experiences and move on.

Been there, done that ... got chewed upon..! Would I do it again, yep. However, as you are quite aware, hindsight is always ... 20/20..!

Collins used to have a communications facility in Cedar Rapids. I used to work there, working AF-1 and others as well as the SAC/TAC and ... various MARS networks, that was before SHARES was even thought of.

You learn from mistakes. Keep going. Have heard you on 14265..! Not strong, thanks to solar activity..!

73

Bill, W0LPQ

[W3MIV]

I have been reading both the original "130" thread and this one, and I finally decided to comment.

Anthony:

There are a number of folks who inhabit QRZ who have a tendency to jump to comment first, often with the least forethought, and frequently with ill-considered words. Take it in stride. Most of them mean well, though that is sometimes hard to see, disguised as it can be in the prose they chose.

The most important thing to understand about regulations is that they are meant for guidance, not necessarily for slavish adherence. Whenever there is a question about danger, the presumption is to permit error on the side of safety.

Where I think you went wrong with your initial reaction was that you spoke too quickly. In a situation where a "mayday" call is involved, speed is of essence; in the matter of the C-130, there would be some time to consider your options and think it through. As many others have posted here, and on the other thread, there are a number of options available to you. Experience will guide you in the future. You live: you learn.

I applaud your effort to become enthusiastically involved. Don't permit the ill-tempered comments of a few to dissuade you from continuing that commitment.

Take a deep breath and soldier on!

73

[KB5WX]

Anthony ,

if I were you I don't think I would lose any sleep over it . We all are human and we all make mistakes . My opinion is that the only person who never makes any mistakes , is the SOB that isn't doing anything in the first place . Some of lifes best lessons can only be taught by experience . Keep at it . Don't stop now . We need good net ops down here in the south to help out with the aftermath of Katrina . You have my thanks for your efforts .

[w5alt]

Anthony,

Don't worry about it. Glen and Terry did the right thing.

This whole issue brings home very clearly - QRZ is not ham radio!

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[ve2nsm]

Since the other thread is closed I will post my reply to the personal attacks from w0nka and ai4ep.

Quote[/b] ]w0nka Posted: Sep. 03 2005,12:29

Quote (ae2ny @ Sep. 03 2005,07:39)
1) Never again will I volunteer to step up into the NCS chair again.

2) Emergency Communications, I have decided, will now be everyone else's problem and not mine.


Anthony - AE2NY


That is too bad. I would have done the same thing you did. I think you made only one mistake. You posted you actions on this thread. There are people that get off on being a jerk. The 1st reply was a good indicator.

Good luck with what you choose to do.

Shane.

------------------------------------------------

ai4ep Posted: Sep. 03 2005,12:59

nka...we all should go back to page 1 and read the first REPLY to his opening post ( the one about the frequency cop )...and consider the source.

simple & to the point.

ai4ep

If you look lower in the page I presented my apologies to Anthony, his reply made me realize he was not a typical frequency cop, the kind that populates this forum and the airwaves.

I made a mistake, I apologized. Want to keep on flaming? be my guest.

[n9zxk]

Maybe the best thing you could have done was tell them how things was and also let them know they couldnt talk on the ham bands unless they was hams.

Things should and most likely pass in a few days. I wouldnt let it get to you any more then what it has. At the time you did what was right. It doesnt matter if people think it was wrong.

Just like i told a friend at work when he was putting down a baseball player who isnt do to good. Can you do better. He said sure i can. I said then why are you here and not there making 6 - 7 mill. He just walked away.

[k2jsv]

Anthony,

There are times when we all make a decision in a situation and get lambasted for it. We talked about all of that. After talking to you the other day about it I got insight that I may not have. I actually have more respect for you for MAKING the decision, regardless of what I may hae thought about it. You made a decision and stood by it. That takes more character and courage than most people possess.

I learned long ago, when presented with a situation, make a decision. Right, Wrong or Indifferent. You made the decision, because if even if it was the wrong decision, it's better than not making a decision at all.

PS. I'm at work tonight until midnight, if you want to call me. I have some info for you regarding our conversation on Thursday.

[KG4CGC]

You made a mistake, you asked about it here, you owned up to it and you learned something. Life goes on and the fact that you discussed it here makes all of us better and more knowledgable about future situations.

[ae4fa]

Sorry you took heat over this, Anthony. The important thing to remember is you were there, and they weren't. Keeping that in mind, there was no need for anyone to bash you.

You had enough class to come here and discuss the matter later. It's called 'debriefing' = and it is a very important part of providing emergency services. We review the action reports, discuss certain specifics, decide what what got done right and what got done wrong, then make sure everybody understands it. This makes us all better prepared for next time.

There is no room for acrimony.

Anthony, please reconsider yor decision to pull out of emergency communications. You have a good head on your shoulders, good instincts, and enough maturity to handle such matters professionally.

My opinion of the critics should be clear without my having to state it.

[k4wtf]

Quote[/b] (n9zxk @ Sep. 03 2005,12:20)]Maybe the best thing you could have done was tell them how things was and also let them know they couldnt talk on the ham bands unless they was hams.
Hopefully, one of the lessons that Anthony took away from this experience is that "they" (The United States Military) can talk on any frequency they so desire.

Just because you have a chart that says Amateur Radio operators have a segment at 20m doesn't mean that that segment is for the exclusive use of Amateur Radio operators. It is most definately not.

Some IFF (friend or foe) transponders operate between 1.2Ghz and 1.3Ghz. The rest of the world calls this "L-Band" folks and Amateur radio is a SECONDARY user of this band as well.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, I don't seem to recall a SINGLE slice of spectrum that is designated for the exclusive use of Amateur Radio operators.

Please... For the love of God... STOP perpetuating the myth that the C-130 or ANY Military radio station is not authorized to operate on the same frequencies as Amateur Radio operators. It is simply NOT TRUE!

Respectfully,

K4WTF