WHY DO the HAMS always take over cb posts ?

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Not to be DIS-respectful, but WHY should law-abiding hams 'respect' that which is illegal and causes interference to THEM? IOW, the "disrespect" comes from having illegal stations who think they have some sort of "right" to talk on frequencies that the hams had to EARN! When CBers begin to take the time to READ and RESPECT the rules that apply to CB Radio, then FOLLOW them, THEN respect may be asked for and received. But as long as illegal stations ignore the rules that apply to them and cause problems for OTHER radio services, CB radio will continue to garner a bad rap and be disrespected by other users of radio. If hams break the law, then they should be punished--even lose the license they likely didn't deserve to start with.

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OH? Then you haven't been doing much reading. There are HUNDREDS of websites chock FULL of information, both technical and legal, all sponsored by hams. Exams are adminstered by Volunteer Examiners at locations from coast to coast--all of whom give untold hours to teaching and helping new licensees (testees). I really don't see what it is you want. The information is out there at the touch of a mouse!

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There are no "secretive" societies. Again, the information is all over the web. Such sites as qrz com and arrl org are loaded with info and books--even sample tests to help the new ham get the ticket. The hams have nothing to do with the requirements for obtaining the license. You seem to want it for FREE. No effort = no study= nothing gained. Only a ruined radio "service" full of misinformation, reckless interference and a professional image gained by Amateur Radio's public service record destroyed. So, yes, *I* am GLAD there is a "test" for admission, so to speak. Anything worth having is worth working for. If it is handed out for free, it is reduced to the lowest common denominator.....yeah, like that other so-called "service". There are GOOD, solid reasons for the testing and these tests have proven that most licensees LEARN from both the testing and hands-on experimentation that leads them to a better radio experience as well contributing much to the community and Nation as a whole.

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The above is utter horse dung. Once again, go to google and type in "Ham" or "Amateur" radio. You will find more info than one can even use at one time!!

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The very tone of your post reveals only ONE thing; the same old tired "opinion" of a superior radio service that is bandied about on CB forums everywhere. First of all, the CB types act as if "they" aren't aging; only hams "age". You speak of "respect" from the hams while disparaging them all at the same time! I have a flash for you: Amateur radio operators range in age from 8 YEARS OLD to up to 100 years ! The fact they may, or may not hold an Amateur ticket is irrevelant. The constant reference to "those old, decrepit" hams and "rickety" is nothing more than JEALOUSY on the part of CBers over the fact that those "rickety" old hams ACCOMPLISHED something in their lives and the fact that they, on average, usually come from a higher economic strata. I'm certain that Joe Walsh, guitarist/singer for the Eagles, a licensed HAM and avid Collins collector would not appreciate your insults! Remember that the next you listen to "Hotel California" on the radio! Do you think PATTY LOVELESS is a "rickety old ham"? She is hardly "rickety". Neither is Priscilla Presly (not currently active?)--also or was a licensee. And, btw, I am great friends with a studio musician who played (backup) at the Grand Old Opry for the likes of Loretta Lynn, provided music for Minnie Pearl, and played WITH such as Chet Atkins (yes, he WAS a ham). Does that make my musician friend who is also an avid ham (and can fix or BUild about any radio you can set on his bench) "old"? Not to mention playing about ANY country or Top 40 tune you can name?

Yep. A LOT of them didn't want the code dropped. And there was a reason! YES! CW doesn't have the importance it once had! But code is NOT that hard! The things that Amateur Radio offers is WORTH the effort if you are a real radio hobbiest. That means that if those who jumped that hurdle wanted the license enough to WORK for it. If anything was "funny", it was watching people sitting on a fence like buzzards, wings folded, waiting for code to drop so they (they thought) could walk right into a General Class license with no effort at all! Well, they got fooled, didnt' they!! They got technician privileges and a segment of 10 Meters for Morse and SSB. Period. In a nutshell, the hams feared that loosing a whole passel of people (yes, a lot of them from 11 Meters) would cause Amateur Radio to deteriorate into nonsense. And they were mostly wrong (so far), but even those "old" hams are entitled to an opinion, eh?


The whole thing is,and the idea for all of us, SHOULD be to aspire to something better. To go for the next level. Challenge ourselves to improve oneself. Honestly, CB radio does NOT do that in so much as a hobby.. Don't compare CB radio to Amateur Radio and then expect it to be GIVEN without any effort. That is what CB radio does and is. It is a CONSUMER APPLIANCE that neither challenges one or requires any achievement whatsoever; you just go out to the CB shop, buy a radio, get someone else to allegedly "tune it up" and VIOLA!! I am now this "big, bad" radio operator. The Amateur studies WHY something works a certain way and learns HOW his operations may adversely affect other operators. CBers only WANT to adversely affect others because it is the way they (wrongly) validate themselves while they (generally) have not a clue how to do it right (nor care)! If one wants the things Amateur Radio offers, then GO for it! It is as close as one's computer! Ask questions of hams on ham websites; hams will respond and answer! If folks are expecting Amateur Radio to be GIVEN away, it won't happen. For those willing to put forth the effort, they are welcomed with open arms and given all the help they need. For those who sit back and whine about what some one else is not doing for them, well................nobody to blame but themselves!

Gadfly

 

Well gladfly you have once again proven your ignorance on one of many boards you frequent. I never once stated I wanted a ticket given to me. I merely stated the obvious. If you are like alot of people, who may not get on the internet, it is not very simple to go find the information. Even on the internet, until someone points out where to start looking, its less then obvious. Just because someone is currently running illegal doesnt always make them a bad person. How many hams follow the law 100% of the time? Im sure some stretch things a bit. After all, even you have violated the speed limit?, or are you stating your better then everyone else again? It is poosible to encourage people to get into ham and leave some of what cb has become behind, without ALIENATING them. This is a problem that many, like yourself, seem to lack. Obviously tactfulness in real life not just on the airwaves is not on the test. If ham is so great, why is there a need to come down and belittle the poor minions on cb? How many clubs offer classes to learn, hands on? How many clubs open their arms to new people? Let me tell you something. The clubs in this area are less the friendly to new people. Unless you hold a ticket, your beneath them. This is the image that gets portrayed about ham. Also, anyone knows that you can be an 8 yearold and be a ham, however, whats the average age of a ham now.... 50 or 60? Goes back to the older person set in their ways thing doesnt it. Dont worry though as I did find information on studying for the tests or rather, learning to take a test, not to learn about ham. I will be going in to take my tests, and my goal is, to walk out first shot with at least the general. Oh, one more thing. If you think your tests are the slightest bit difficult, perhaps you should try some of the many tests that ASE put out. Try asecert.org. I myself currently hold 10 certifications in the automotive field. Trust me, those are tests.

 

I have an 18ft coax of quality wire and connectors.
I made it myself.

Up until now I had it stretched in a straight line back and forth across the inside of the dash.

Frequently when I transmit this will cause the mouse on my Dell Laptop to freeze up and stop working and I would have to unplug then reconnect it to get it to work again.

Now, I have coiled the excess inside the dash beneath where the radio sits.

I rechecked my SWR and it has changed.
Yesterday it was 1.8 on CH1 and 1.4 on CH40.
Now it is 2.5 on CH1 and 1.5 on CH40.

This means I need to lengthen the antenna.
However, the stinger on my Wilson 2000 is extended as far as it will go.

However, this is not a problem as the CB shop that tuned the antenna probably cutoff over 3 inches of it when they did it. I paid them to do it with one of those digital antenna tuners so I could check that against my old analog Vanco CBT-1 CB Transciever Tester.

I will buy a new stinger and recheck and let you know what I get as soon as I locate a new stinger.

The good news is, the radio does not seem to be killing the mouse on my laptop now.

 

If you keep your equipment in order and your logbook legal, it doesn't matter what the scales house is doing.

I love getting inspected and getting a clean bill of health, a new CVSA sticker and having the DOT dude walk away with ALL his tickets still in his book.

 

I love the childish response I get from that type when I tell them that what they are doing amounts to "mental masturbation".

 

And you haven't seen the electronics tests for the current Extra class ticket OR the old Advanced Class test! Walk in and pass THAT! Know of which you speak, sir!

Once again, There is PLENTY of information available for the new ham. These days, those who are not on the internet are in the minority. I can't personally account for what a particular club is doing. but if a person WANTS the Amateur license, he can get it. End of story. No sense in arguing about "opinion"--which most of this bandying on the 'web IS! All speculation: I said this------I said that-----Most hams this, most hams that. None of which is relevant, none of which can be proven. It is all the same as that other orifice we all carry around with us AND sit on!

If someone wants to play around with an antiquated radio system that has 40 set channels, has not been improved in any substantial way since 1958, requires something ILLEGAL to be in the least useful as a hobby, (whose "extree" channels and bootleg amps are illegal and whose "hobby" antics are as well) demands that people not only respect this, but condone the breaking of sound law, fine. Keep looking over one's shoulder for the Feds to come after you. If you want something that offers MUCH, MUCH more, then go for the ticket and don't let any snobs, elitists--or whatever your impression of hams is---stop you. If you want to actually LEARN something from radio, DO it. If you want millions of 'channels' (channels are the purvey of an untrained consumer society), up to 1500 watts of power (which is usually not even needed), a sense of achievement at having crossed a minor hurdle, then GO for it! Nobody's stopping you.
If you expect "respect" for frequency thieves, splattering amplifiers, radios that sound like crap, all kinds of banal, childish and infantile noises, beeps and stupid echos, it won't happen, And if THAT is "old", "rickety", or "elitist", so be it. Sorry you cant accept that. The "age" of hams is still irrelevant. Whatever *my* "age" may be, this "old" boy has had a great time getting to this point in my life having done everything from fly multi-engine aircraft (pleasure) to operate a 60 ton locomotive (work), to building radios and antennas---which came from my hobby of Amateur Radio; it's how I LEARNED to do it. So if that makes me "old", I really don't care cuz I had a ball doing it! Those CB types that moan and cry about "age", or what hams do or think need to look into their own mirror. Their hair WILL turn gray, too. They WILL get "old" too! They will become "set" in their ways, too! They, too, will become 50+ years old! It's just a matter of time.


Best to all


Gadfly

 

Well to me "If someone wants to play around with an antiquated radio system that has 40 set channels, has not been improved in any substantial way since 1958, requires something ILLEGAL to be in the least useful as a hobby" sounds just a lil snobbish. What about the old die hard hams who used to make their own radios? Guess those old school set ups are junk, and not worthy of being called ham. If you believe that CBs must run illegally to be useful as a hobby, I guess you arent much of a ham either. As a matter of fact, where is that call sign of yours? The Cbers really dont care what the hams do, just leave them alone. Now those who find that 40 empty channels are too crowded and go out of band, those need dealing with. As for finding information out about ham, why dont you research some obscure thing online you know nothing about, and see how much more difficult it becomes to finding out all the info. Just because your allegedly a ham, doesnt mean that everyone finds it as easy to come across information on the "hobby". It almost seems, that some hams are jealous that cbers go and do as they wish, while hams are stuck with a list of regulations that are enforced. Sounds almost like envy, and the attitude you portray makes that very clear. What is truly sad here, is, I was, and to an extent still interested in getting into something my grandfather once was into before he passed away. However, I wonder now, was it his health, or, the change of attitude by some hams that got him away from the radio. The more you speaketh, the more you turn me off of ARS, man of no ham call sign.

 

I have to chime in about this for a minute.

If you are basing your lack of desire to become a ham on Gadfly' posts, Don't! It is apparent that while his intentions may be good, the continued "SuperHam" attitude that he is promoting is not over prevalent in On-Air operations on most of the higher bands.

There is a segment in the HR community that have to nitpick and argue every last little insignificant point to the end and then dig it up and do it again. Either that or they become a "Rules Monger" and nitpick everything from what words you use to blasting you if you are 2 seconds late in identifying. Check out QRZ.com and see whats happening there. Gadfly is definitely of this crowd which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I believe it's just not a real representation of HR.

The main thing you should realize is that most of the posturing and primping and such that happens on the 'net is NOT prevalent on the air.

IMHO, while Gadfly may have good intentions, the constant harping on the 10m issue and interference is being beaten on again and again. It is beginning to be a turn off. This, in my opinion, is misrepresenting the hobby. I believe this attitude of overhashing the subject is doing more damage to drivers that want to earn their licenses then it should. This is apparent in the braggadocio done by most "Net Hams"

This is only a hobby and not a life or death result if you make a minor infraction or 2.

Don't base your idea of HR on gadfly, or anything on the net. The net isn't HR. If you really want to find out what HR is all about, take some money and get a Short Wave receiver and listen to the ham bands. Find a local ham, preferably an open minded one if you can. Ask him about HR. If you do decide to get your license, then just simply be aware of, and follow the rules for both CB and HR. It really is a fun hobby and not one that is "self important" as some users of HR would make it to be.

Gadfly, I also have to make this comment to you. If you truly are a ham radio operator, why WON'T you post your callsign? (if you have on this site, then apologies in advance.) I let mine be known in previous postings.

'nuf said

TL

 

An excellent post, Brian. That dead horse has been beaten back to life and to death again. To quote a senior member of our local amateur radio club, "Do things reasonably right and legal, but have fun" . It is a hobby and when it gets too serious to be fun, then it is time to find another hobby. The guys that run high output CBs will do what they will, and I think most are aware of what they are doing.

I havent gotten an HF radio yet, but I am having a blast with 2m/440. I might mention that there is so much more to amateur radio than can be heard on a scanner, APRS, packet, etc.

Crankshaft, get your ticket, I bet you can find some locals that will be willing to help you get going. Our local club here died due to the old attitudes and now has been restarted by new blood and is mostly made up of techs. Now alot of the old members have come back and are more than willing to teach us new guys. Comes right down to it, they didnt like the old way either.

I will admit it can be hard to get that first taste of what it ia all about, getting to know the basics, etc. Get some books, Now Youre Talking is a good one, not exactly current but a good place to start. Jion the ARRL, a subscription to QST is included. Its a wealth of knowledge for a beginner. I started my quest to be a ham about 6 months ago, it take some research to learn about the hobby, but its kind of like the HR hobby in general, its the learning that makes it fun. Most everything I've encountered in ham radio has taken some effort and trying to learn the skills, but thats what makes it rewarding. Its not a "ready-made" hobby, most everything you do will need a little tweaking and tinkering. If you decide to go for it, have fun, I'll answer anything that I can for you

 

Simple. For the same reason I don't buy ham radio "vanity" tags for my vehicle; too much info can be found out about people these days. Too much computer and fraud info out there. And for the same reason one should shred documents instead of just tossing in the trash can. The only thing I will tell you is, yes, I AM licensed. Whether you believe it or not, I can't help that............................


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Gadfly