TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 405.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28a8a263   
   PID: Synchronet 3.20a-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.20-Win32 master/a59d7d36d Apr 13 2023 MSC 1929   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
            Ham Radio Courtesy -- Written By Daryl Stout, WX4QZ   
      
   This appeared in the March 14, 2007 issue of The Handi-Ham E-Letter,   
   published by Courage Center, Golden Valley, Minnesota. It helps those   
   with disabilities to become amateur radio operators.   
      
     When I was involved with square dancing, there was a set of "10   
   commandments", and it had nothing to do with religion.   
      
     The one that struck me the most is the one that basically said "if   
   the club or group that you're a part of is not running things the way   
   you like them, it'd be best for you to pull up stakes, and go to   
   another group which is more to your liking". Unfortunately, with   
   human nature, you are going to have personality conflicts, politics,   
   and people holding grudges. This is true in hobbies, occupations,   
   churches, etc.   
      
     Over the years, I've known several individuals who "got their   
   feathers ruffled". They basically threw a "temper tantrum"...storming   
   off, and then saying derogatory things about those with whom they   
   previously were associated. I've basically disassociated myself from   
   these individuals and groups, but didn't go around smearing their   
   reputation, no matter what they did. While I forgave these people for   
   what they did, I didn't forget it. Besides, "what goes around, comes   
   around".   
      
     The sad thing is, several of these instances over the last several   
   years have been with amateur radio... locally before EchoLink even   
   existed, and since I got into EchoLink just over a year ago. Even with   
   the recent FCC rules change removing the Morse Code requirement, some   
   of these instances have soured my desire to upgrade, or do much more   
   than I am now with the hobby. However, because of declining health,   
   ham radio (VHF packet and EchoLink...these due to power and antenna   
   restrictions) is one of the hobbies I can still do.   
      
     People watching and listening to us are being turned off to the hobby   
   by discourteous behavior. And there are businesses out there who would   
   love to get their hands on our frequencies for pecuniary gain.   
      
     To make a long story short... courtesy costs nothing, but pays big   
   dividends. While you may not like another ham's personality, actions,   
   background, etc., the best thing is to show them courtesy on the air,   
   and on the message boards. After all, you can always delete the message,   
   put them in the "deny callsign" section of your EchoLink setup, or move   
   to another frequency or EchoLink node, and set the parameter in EchoLink   
   to "not show conferences".   
      
     It's like with the CW issue in the U.S. now... you do things because   
   you WANT to... not because you HAVE to.   
      
   ***   
      
     Very well said. Courtesy is the foundation of a civil society, and it   
   begins with the little things - the many ways we interact with each   
   other every day, including our activities at the radio club and on the   
   air and at the keyboard. Sourpuss complainers, naysayers who can't abide   
   the slightest change, and know-it-alls can suck the positive energy out   
   of anything, even something as much fun as ham radio. Always be polite   
   and helpful, and respectful of others... Courtesy pays!   
      
   ***   
      
     An additional comment I want to make. Courtesy also applies to those   
   on the air. You may not like or agree with an individual, but the least   
   you can do is to "show them courtesy on the air".   
      
     If you don't like hearing someone on the air, just "spin the dial" to   
   another frequency, or power down the rig. No one is holding a gun to   
   your head to make you stay on the radio. As Linus Van Pelt of Peanuts   
   fame noted, "there are three things I don't discuss with others...   
   religion, politics, and The Great Pumpkin".   
      
     Also, interrupting someone on ham radio is just as impolite and rude   
   on the air, as it is in person. While there will be "doubles" at times...   
   which are understandable...just butting into a QSO...unless you have a   
   bona fide emergency or priority traffic situation at your location...will   
   sooner or later have other hams ignore you on the air, and in person.   
   Then, if and when you truly need help, there will be no one to offer it.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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