From: randall@informix.com (Randall Rhea)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Feedback to Operating Practices
Date: 30 Sep 92 17:55:54 GMT
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

>        [I'm a new ham, and I haven't made many contacts ...]

>        The reason is that I am scared to death.

>        I want to sound like a "professional amateur".   

Don't even try to sound like a "professional amateur."  Just
be yourself.  Don't use a lot of lingo, Q-signals, and other
stuff that has little or no purpose on phone.  For example,
avoid:

  I'm getting a lot of QRM, old man, so we'd better QSB.
  Well, I am running mobile and I'm destinated at my home QTH
  now, so we'd better say seventy-threes.

A lot of lingo is actually used improperly.  In the above example,
it is difficult over the radio to tell if he was saying
"QRM" (interference from other stations) or "QRN" (atmospheric noise).
"Seventy-threes" is completely wrong, as "seven three" means
"best regards" and is already plural.  ("Seventy threes" would therefore
mean "best regards-es")  "Destinated" is not a word in the
English language.  "Old man" makes no sense, especially if you're
talking to a woman.

Instead, just be natural:

  There's a lot of interference on this frequency, would you
  like to change frequencies?  Well, I'm mobile, and I'm
  pulling into the driveway on my house, so I will need
  to turn off the radio.  I hope to speak with you again.

When in doubt, use plain English.  Maybe a few hams out there
will recognize that you are not a "professional amateur",
but to heck with them.  If hams only used plain English more,
we wouldn't seem like such a "closed clique."

> I'm not sure if ham radio is a
>        welcoming hobby, or a closed clique.

>        I've read lots of the books and magazines.  I still have  LOTS  of
>        questions.    I'm  aware  of  a  resentment among some hams toward
>        codeless techs, so I started with Novice, so I could avoid getting
>        a "N1xxx" call.   In my area,  that  means  "probably  a  codeless
>        tech".

There are a few vocal hams who are offended at the idea of
people who get on the air without knowing code.   To heck with
them.  Don't let the few bad eggs bother you.  The vast
majority of hams are friendly.

>        Here are some questions:

>        1) Everybody on 2m seems to know each other already.  How do I get
>           involved?

I just get on a repeater and say, "KK6MY monitoring."  Usually
someone responds, a start talking to him, and more often than
not, I've made a new friend.  If you find a repeater that
seems to be a "closed clique", just get on another repeater.

>        2) There seem to be MANY repeaters in my area.   If I use them,  I
>           should support them, right?   but I can't pay dues to ALL those
>           clubs.    Are  regular vistors welcome on open repeaters?   How
>           does this work?

You are not obligated to financially support repeaters.   If you
use one frequently, it is courtesy to contribute a few bucks
toward its operation.  Generally, financial things are not
discussed over the air, so once you get to know someone personally
on the repeater, you may want to give him a phone call
and ask about this issue.  Always feel free to use
any open repeater.

>        3) Based on what  I  read,  apart  from  real  emergencies,  there
>           appears to be no valid use for an autopatch.  True?

It depends on what you call "valid".   If I am stuck in traffic, and
my wife is worried about me, it is nice for me to be able
to call her via autopatch.   Autopatch outside of emergencies
is a convenience, not a necessity, but it can be a darn nice
convenience.

>        4) Apart  from  the  fact  that  I'd  be  unwisely broadcasting my
>           creditcard number, is there a reason why a long-distance credit
>           card call is inappropriate for autopatch?

The problem is that the organization running the autopatch
needs to pay for the call.  Other than that, there is
no reason why long-distance calls are inherently "inappropriate".

>           Does a long distance call violate the business use rule, as its
>           furthering the business of Sprint or MCI?

No.  We have gone around and around on the net about what constitutes
"business" communication through autopatch.  Rumor has it that the FCC
will be loosening up rules on this.

>        5) I've  heard  a  local  "net" on 10m.  I mean REALLY local,  all
>           within a 25 mile radius of me.   They get on and exchange  1010
>           numbers  and their own "net numbers",  and talk about basically
>           nothing.   If I could join  them  some  night,  I'd  DOUBLE  my
>           contacts to date !
>           How do I do this?  Would I be welcome if I just dropped my call
>           in during a lull?

Absolutely!  Tell them you are a new ham.  Ask them how to 
join the 10-10 club.  This is a great way to make new friends.

73 DE KK6MY

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Randall Rhea                                        Informix Software, Inc. 
Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems    uunet!pyramid!infmx!randall