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Speak Out: Why All the Hate?

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KE4JCG on 2009-01-07
Correction: It's not a DSP kit. I'm building a SDR (software defined radio) kit.

KE4JCG on 2009-01-07
I agree with the posters who say it's how you look at it.

I could gripe about the time I tried to show my non-ham wife how the auto patch worked and how useful 2 meters could be. Just my luck that her friend I tried to call had music on her answering machine. Before I could drop the patch, two self-righteous old-timers dropped it and started attacking me for allowing music. My wife told me then that she'd rather not talk to such cranky people. I told her that not all hams are like that.

Instead of worrying about such problems, I'm just grateful for my elmer Bill, in Tampa FL, who encouraged me to become a ham, then loaned me an old HT and an ancient Hallicrafter SW radio. That's how I got my first KE4JCG call. I'd rather think of all my great ham friends in the local Atlanta clubs, like K4KJ, Paul Bailey.

It's easy to worry about the bickering on the internet. Instead, I just focus on studying for the General license, building my 40 meter dipole, and building my DSP radio kit.

Just be selective who you associate with.
The internet is a cranky place. Find the good hams and cultivate them as friends.

Ed
KI4SBU

KB0TXC on 2008-12-28
W8LV said:

"...I also note that whenever I attempt to do a little gardening, bugs bite me in the ass. I have no idea why they do this, or why God would send them to do so. But I still garden, the best that I can."

KB0TXC replied:

That is terrible! Try using some Avon skin-so-soft on your arse... the buggies will still crawl on you, but wont take a nip out of your derriere. Also, try taking vitamin B complex pills. For some reason bugs do not like the taste of people that take that.

As far as the real topic of this thread...Yeah, there is a lot of frustration out there. Awful lot... but the attitude that I take is that I try not to get heated, not to raise my blood pressure, not to build up bad Karma. I simply read the posts, laugh, adjust one of my receivers, wish that I had my TT/L-2 finished, hold my cat and drink a nice glass of wine.

Life is very short. One will find either bitterness or joy in the garden of life. (bugs on the butt or no :-))It is up to you to decide what fruit to pick.

Now take a deep breath, close your eyes, sit in a comfy position and fold your fingers into your favorite mudra. Contemplate the sound of a softly gurgling brook, Grasshopper. You must know peace, or there will be no peace.

Best and 73,

Joe KB0TXC

KC0RBX on 2008-12-13
Hate has become too loosely used term. It is not hate. It is intense frustration with changes that have come to the Amateur Radio Service. Hate is when, if you have the chance, you beat or kill or oppress another because of your intense dislike of them. I believe it is wrong to throw the word hate around in such a flippant manner. I also believe that on Ham web blog type of sites such as EHAM, it is easy for Hams to voice their opinions while hiding behind a computer screen. When Hams are face to face, they are a little more cordial. Even Karol on 14.275, who says some of the most hateful things on the air, can be nice when spoken to nicely. I know, I've done it. He is extremely frustrated with governments and I don't blame him. But I will say this, either people start to regularly take chill pills or we are going to be in a civil war, as a previous poster noted.

KB9SDS on 2008-12-08
It's a shame that there has to be a discussion about this at all. This is suppose to be a enjoyable hobby, key word being hobby.

I think that part of the problem is most people don't like change. I know the older I get, the less flexable I become. The older hams don't like the changes in licensing the FCC have done and since they can't get to them, they take it out on the new Hams. When I was in high school, it was a automatic "F" it you were caught with a calculator. Now it's a requirement. Should I be mad that those students? At the same time younger Hams have the attitude of 'you can't tell me anything'. I'm a professional musician. You think these younger musicians want hear anything I have to say?

I like to talk on the radio and if someone doesn't want to talk to me because I didn't become a Ham 20 or 30 years ago, than so be it. I will find someone who doesn't care and just wants to talk. And to you older Hams, I will always be interested in what you have to say about being a Ham.

Times are hard. People are losing their jobs and homes. I live in Michigan and jobs have become nonexistent. Poeple are frustrated, but we Hams have to stick together. all we have is each other because no one else understands us.

This is nothing new, just a different reason for it. Like I said, it's a shame.

KX8N on 2008-11-01
Most of the hate I've seen has come from other hams. That's why I haven't operated in over a year.

YK3MM on 2008-10-04
it is eazy if you have money to say why all this about . or you can buy your own comunication sattalit.. but i am buying capacitetors and making coils in thouthands and if i found aquarts some where or afilter i think i am happy this day.. but i know that when i am using my QRB nobodey will ask me the bill.

N1TAI on 2008-09-26
Oh Heck, I take exception to that. 1 calls!
I agree on the 6 though :)
Just had a run in with a 6 lander and he is the CEO of a company that got a Make-A-Wish trip for his daughter who has a brain tumor. I feel for the little girl but you know, a CEO using monies from a fund that is for terminall sick kids who's parents can't afford to send them to Disney World. That is what Make a Wish is for.

Now we ask ourselves, where does the hate come in? It comes in when a Ham that is a CEO of a company and lives on a lake uses the money of a great organization to send his sick kid to Disney World.....I hate that....

In contast, I hated the fact that a person could just memorize answers to a test and get an extra license. I got over it as it our responsibility as good hams to teach them the theory and rules. We are self policing.

Another thing I hate is when a ham asks a question like do I need to realign my radio because I did a mod to it for Search and Rescue... I hate that as it is a rules violation first off with exceptions but those exceptions are clearly stated. As this one ham indicated, it isn't to be used for SAR's, just in case he needed it he would have it. That he didn't intend on using it. Excuse me, if you mod a radion for out of band you certainly intend on using it, don't you think?

And last but not least, I hate it when a ham sends you a radio that you just bought with the premise that the radio is 100%. Then you dind out it doesn't work and he blames it on UPS. That is hate folks.

But all in all, I love the amateur radio service even with all its good and bad.

eHAM is a great place to sound off and I hope they continue this fine service ...BTW: Lurkers, disappear please....

73 de n1tai

KE4VYN on 2008-09-12
Its not new. Where do you think the name 'Ham' came from? Code operators thinking their something special because they know code. No-code operators thinking 'lets see them old guys try and pass the new, updated test.'

Its just human nature, thats why we have wars. Radio is just like a war, if your 'legal (hack..cough) limit' then you got a big tank, if your QRP your special forces.

And then you have Eham.com who will censor what it dont like, but still asks for your money.

So you cant win.

KA9HJZ on 2008-09-12
ive been a ham for 30 years and going on 71 years of age. I have some hard times, lost my pension and health insurance and i still like ham radio operators.

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