A little respect and a whole lot of hope

You know being a newbie to this assembly, meaning ham radio, I been watching this site for almost a year wondering if this is really what I want to do for a hobby, even though it was on my mind for more than twenty years. Now that I received my ticket and have general privileges I have mixed feelings. On the one hand obviously there is the accomplishment of having achieved a goal, on the other hand there is a sense of wondering why. This was the site everyone told me to go to and learn. What is there to learn here other than people looking for an opportunity to slam there fellow ham. I'm not sure this is what I expected. People have a hard time with folks on 11 meters, and at times, rightly so, although people coming to this site to learn about ham radio wonder what's the difference if we act like the people we are so eager to condemn. The only reason I was interested in this hobby was because of a kind old gentleman of 80+ years old. Taught me a lot. One of the most important things he taught me which I'll never forget was to pretend your mother was listening to everything you said. Then I tune up on 20 meters and listen to all kinds of cussing and carrying on that I "thought" was above amateur radio. Guess not. That's ok though I understand there are all kinds of people in this world and ham radio isn't ammune to them. But I'm disgressing. This is the site most potential hams have for the first impression of the ham community. Try to treat each other with respect and you'll be suprised how it grows.
By the way I do have a call sign but not sure if I will use it.
73 and thanks for the vent

[W3SY]

Yo T&W,

Well, as for the overall "tone" on this forum, please understand that many here use this medium to blow off steam in a way that they would not on the air. For the most part, it's healthy and theraputic.

Secondly, yes, there's some crud on the air too. I've been licensed 32 years, and there has always been some of that. (Perhaps a bit more now than then.) My policy has always been to just turn the dial. I do not let someone's moronic behavior interfere with my enjoyment. The vast majority of hams are very good folks.

My only suggestion is that you not dwell on those people who obtained valid licenses in spite of their arrested social skills. Concentrate on what YOU like to do with radio.

Best of luck.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (testedandwaiting @ Mar. 10 2003,19:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This was the site everyone told me to go to and learn. #What is there to learn here other than people looking for an opportunity to slam there fellow ham. #I&#39;m not sure this is what I expected. #[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hi tested,

Congrats on the new privileges. Just one thing about Internet forums in general- this really isn&#39;t where to go to learn about how to conduct ones&#39; self on the air. Some of the stuff you&#39;ll read on Internet forums is not representative of how most people act in this hobby. For some reason, the Internet brings out the worst in some people, and they would post things there that they wouldn&#39;t think about saying on the air.

I would suggest that you use those new privileges on the air asap, and if you check in here or other Internet forums, be sure to don your fire-proof suit and just ignore the whiners, gripers, bullies, trolls and jerks. #There are actually some good things to learn from this site in the &quot;Questions and Answers&quot; section, and lots of helpful, smart people contribute on this forum. I&#39;ve gotten lots of helpful answers and excellent input from many of the regulars here.

If you choose to stay and read this forum, you&#39;ll quickly learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to subject material. Seems like most of the nastiness here and on other Internet-based AR forums tends to center around the Code/No Code debate and the restructuring of amateur radio in general. If you selectively ignore the conversation threads on those topics, you&#39;ll be better off, especially if you have no interest in pointless arguing over the same-old, same-old. Have fun, it&#39;s a great hobby, with almost unlimited potential for fun and comradery&#33;

[KB1JCY]

Welcome aboard&#33; I&#39;ve been licened for close to three months. My advice is to find a local repeater and start participating. Either that or join a local club. Ignore the cranky old farts. What matters is that you get enjoyment out of the hobby and you don&#39;t sit on the sidelines.

[KF4LNE]

Congrats&#33; I have been licensed and very active since 1996 and have enjoyed every minute of it&#33; DOn&#39;t just get on the repeaters, build yourself a good antenna, put it up really high and check out simplex. And like JCY said, dont let the old farts bother you, we have all had a few run ins with some of the cranky OF&#39;s on the local repeater, just ignore them. Get involved with the local club too. Always go to feild day, a lot of the feild day sites usually have a great spread saturday night, oh, and its a great place to work modes and bands you don&#39;t have gear for. I do feild day just to play with some of the cooler toys i dont have yet. oh yeah, hamfests - go early, stay late - early to grab the good stuff before someone else does and late to get the stuff nobody wants to take home. i scored big last week asking around after the hamfest closed up to see if anyone had anything they didnt want to take home. got some good deals (read FREE&#33 on some assorted easily repairable junk that makes a great addition to my station. I have more gear at my station that i scored free after hamfest closeing than i have in gear i actually purchased. enjoy&#33;

[KF4LNE]

We are trying to maintain a strict ban on on-air Bravo Sierra on simplex and other non-repeater modes out here. So far its working now for the fishing stories...

[N4QWB]

I&#39;ve had my license for over 15 years, and the attitudes of the some of the users of this site, as well as others, do not reflect the overall attitude of the ham community. To me, it seems the Internet attracts those who like to criticize, flame, abuse, etc.

Just yesterday, I saw a excellent example of what a good ham is. I was in our local radio store buying an antenna. A gentleman was there (not an employee) that was quick to give me his assessment of my purchase. Once I told him what part of the area I was from, he invited me to use his club&#39;s repeater anytime I wanted, and invited me to attend their meetings. He was very helpful and friendly. This is the typical attitude I witness.

Another example was just last week. I was attempting SSTV for the first time on 20-meters. I was afraid I was going to get bashed for being a &quot;newbie&quot;. In reality, the 2 stations I worked were extremely helpful and generous with their knowledge. I was very grateful.

It&#39;s a whole lot different compared to what you read on the Internet. Don&#39;t let it fool you. Ham radio is full of great people.

Hope to catch you on the air. And congratulations on the new license&#33;

73,
KN4FC

[W1NCH]

First of all, don&#39;t be put off by the &quot;tone&quot; in some of these forums. People are people, and opinions that should not be communicated over the air are often aired out here. Unfortunately, it gets personal sometimes. Better here than on the air. We often forget that what is typed can be easily misinterpreted. The Internet lacks both the ability to read facial gestures and hear inflections in the voice.

Second, people are people, and as it has been noted, there are those who forget that the whole world can hear them when they transmit. As with anything else, the 80/20 rule applies: 80% of the trash you hear is from 20% of the people. It may even be more like 95/5.

In either case, just turn the dial and call CQ. For every curmudgeon out there, there are many more willing to help out or let you join in. 75m can be crowded, and I&#39;ve heard some intentional interference there. I&#39;ve also heard hams using AM invite a newcomer into a roundtable and offer tips for making his rig sound better.

And if you&#39;re on 6m or the FM satellites, let me know and we&#39;ll setup a sched.

73,

Brent

[KF4LNE]

UKT -

We are using SSTV out here on 2M FM too

[KD5ICR]

Here is a little reminder.Live it love it or get out now



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.


73 de kd5icr aka Bill