From: davros@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Buddy Brannan)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Operating Procedures
Date: 6 Oct 92 01:44:41 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin

In article <1733@necis.UUCP> rbono@necis.UUCP (Rich) writes:
>  I have taught either a Novice or combination Novice/Technician class for
>several years.  I agree with you about operating practices, and spend a fair
>amount of time trying to explain, teach, give examples and otherwise guide
>the unguided about operation practices.
>
>  I also include many phone operating practices.  Of course, I have my pet
>peaves, so I sometimes concentrate on these...
>   Also the term 'my personal here is' instead of saying 'my name is'
>
How about this that I like to use on 2 meters to show how silly it is, and 
because it's somewhat different: 
"The handle here is broken, and the name is Buddy." :-)

>   And the method of finding a frequency to call another station, CQ or
>    any other use:
>
>     1st .... Listen for a clear frequency
>
>     2nd ..... Listen again for a clear frequency
>
>     3rd .... Listen again for the stations (including weak signals) that
>            you probably missed the first time.
>
>     4th ... Ask if the frequency is in use and then go to step 1
>
>     5th ... repeat step 4.
>
>     ok... now make your call.
>
>
>   This sounds like a long list, but I recently had a student personaly
>   thank me for this type of instruction.... and he wondered why others
>   did not offer this type of curtesy on the air.  (I know what he means). :-(
>
> I basically stress that people should FIRST: Be curteous!!!, and second
> use PLAIN ENGLISH (except on CW where Q-codes are helpful).

All fine advice. If I were involved in teaching a class, (I am not), I would
also stress operating practice. It seems to me that many classes teach enough
to pass the test and no more--none of the things that make a "person who 
holds an Amateur Radio Operator License" a "ham". (There is a difference.)
Of course--we cannot forget that we are here to have fun, as well as help
others, and we cannot forget either of these things. Some stress operating 
procedure to the exclusion of relaxing and having a good time, and that is,
I think, just as bad.

For anyone who really cares :-) and anyone who has got this far ... I think
everyone would agree with me when I say:

The best way to learn how to operate on ham radio is to listen to ham radio.

I listened for about half a year; I picked out the things I liked, and the 
things I didn't like I ignored and chose not to participate in. THe pract-
ices that i found good I took into account in my own operating, to the best
of my ability. Yeah, theory is fine and all, and guidance of an elmer is in-
valuable. (I'll always be grateful to my elmer, Steve, KG5BR ... got me a 
receiver to listen to, even a rig when I got my license, helped me through 
my first contact, still helps me with antennae and such ... but that's all 
another story). I think that a listening post or some sort of swl-ing on 
the ham bands should be an integral part of a class, if at all possible. 
I wasn't in a class--I "did it alone"--not really cuz I had help--but I don't
see why the same principles can't work. Seems new people just sometimes go 
about it backwards--get their license _then_ learn to operate. Well, ya gotta
learn sometime I guess--but I think an early start is always a good thing...

Enough from me for now ... 

Until later, Best Regardses :-) 

73
Buddy, KB5ELV