TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 406.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 28a8a269   
   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   
      
             GOOD AMATEUR PRACTICE BY DARYL STOUT, WX4QZ   
             ===========================================   
      
   Most of us think "good amateur practice" involves our conduct on the   
   air...and it does. But, it also includes making sure your equipment is   
   in good working order before getting on the air. This includes things   
   like:   
      
   1) Making sure you're on the right frequency, repeater, reflector, etc.   
   It's easy to bump the button and change things...whether with your hand   
   or the computer mouse. I heard of one ham who did his "net preamble   
   spiel", but didn't get any contacts (he usually got a pile-up). Then, he   
   looked at his rig, and embarrassingly saw that he was on 20 meters   
   instead of 2 meters!!   
      
   2) If you have sound card applications, make sure that you're not doing   
   things like installing software, or running other audio applications at   
   the same time. Windows is notorious for stealing the sound card   
   interface, so when you key up, nothing happens...it's as if you had the   
   mute box checked. Before using things like Echolink or DV Tools (D-Star),   
   I always test the sound card, to make sure everything is connected...and   
   that includes the microphone and speakers.   
      
   3) Make sure your rig is plugged in...otherwise turning on the power   
   switch is useless. Yes, I know that sounds like a DUH! moment, but I've   
   known stations who have unplugged their gear to protect from lightning   
   damage, and forgot to plug it back in afterwards. Along this line, after   
   storms, make sure your antennas are hooked back up. Otherwise, you could   
   end up frying the finals in your radio.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32   
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)   
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