From: tonyp@cnvxla.COM, , Conan - good!)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Feedback to Operating Practices
Date: 29 Sep 92 20:06:15 GMT
Article-I.D.: convex.1992Sep29.200615.16645
Reply-To: tonyp@convex.COM
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

---
Here's my two-cents worth;

        I have mixed feelings to  the  recent  comments  about  "operating
        procedures".    I  am  a  new ham.   Got my novice late June,  and
        General early September.

Welcome to ham radio. Really. If we didn't get new members it would have
died out years ago. One of the unusual aspects of HR is that it was created
and honed recently (since the 1920s give or take) and most of the creators
are still around. Since they created it, and formed it to be the way they
want, that's the way they like to keep it. Then you get "new timers" like
me, who were trained by these guys, and we "keep the faith".

        For equipment, I have an HF transceiver, and a borrowed 2m HT.   I
        have  spent LOTS of time listening,  and very little attempting to
        make contacts.  My log shows exactly 10 contacts (9 10m SSB, 1 10m
        CW).  I haven't spoken to anyone on the HT.

        The reason is that I am scared to death.

        I want to sound like a "professional amateur".   I don't  want  to
        get  a  reputation for being a "lid" early on!   But comments like
        yours aren't entirely encouraging.  I'm not sure if ham radio is a
        welcoming hobby, or a closed clique.

It's both, as (you've mentioned and as you'll see). 

        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".

My congratulations. I am prejudice (dang - where's my dictionary): barring
some medical reason I don't see why some people can't put in the effort to
learn the code. All it is is another language. The same skills are needed.
Everyone speaks a language. Learning another one requires effort - that's
all. Supposed they gave out driver's licenses with an endorsement that says
"can't parallel park". Enough - I'm going critical mass on this.   :-)

        Ok,  maybe  I'm  oversensitive.    But  code  and  theory is easy,
        avoiding gaffs on the air appears to be difficult.  By December, I
        may be the only "advanced" class ham with less than 20 QSOs  under
        his belt!

This is sad to hear. If you were in "6" land I'd give you a hand. And, yes,
I could be doing something at a local radio club to help out and participate
instead of complain, but I won't be able to for a few more years. 

        Here are some questions:

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

Well - I *KNOW* exactly how you feel on this one: I've found 2 meters to
be about the most unfriendly place in ham radio - short of the gestapo
nets on SSB. The only thing that seems to work is to meet people in 
person - we used to go out for breakfast on saturday once a month - and
once people meet you in person the barriers seem to drop down. I don't
know (and I'm sorry to say) of anyone that made friends on a 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?

The best plan here would be to ask someone on the repeater who the "OP"
is. There is supposed to be an operator in control of the repeater at
all times. Talk with the owner or club and ask them their feelings. Most
repeaters don't mind occasional visitors. Most clubs don't like people
who "live" on the repeaters 24 hours a day - even if you are a member.
Also, throwing your two-cents into every conversation that goes on will
get you black listed.

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

I'd go along with that.

But again, this depends on the club. I was on one closed repeater with a
handful of guys. The phone bill would list all the calls, and who called
them. You'd paid for your calls. No one cared how much you used it.

I used to listen to one local repeater in the "rich area" out here. The
guys would ACTUALLY call their wives from the driveway, saying they 
were home. That was funnier than TOOLTIME!    :-)

        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?

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

        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 !

I used to be on a net on 15 meters at night. When the band would close down
we'd get on there and bend some of the FCC rules. We had quite a following
of both admirers and a couple of gestapo agents that would break in the
second we'd break a rule. 

           How do I do this?  Would I be welcome if I just dropped my call
           in during a lull?

I don't know if those guys are 2-meter-ish or not. I'd ask them how to
become a part of the group, myself. That's how I got started with the
15 meter crowd: One night, around 12:30 one of the original nut-neters
wanted to go out for pizza. After begging all the guys, and no one wanting
to go, I broke in and said that I'd go. Then eveyone changed their minds.
We hit the pizza parlor at 1:30am - about 20 of us. It was the beginning
of a group that lasted for 8 years. 


        If you can be of any help, I'd appreciate it !!

I hope that this has been some help. Again, I'd like to post it to the
newgroups - without your callsign/name. 

73,
tonyp / WA2EAA - San Diego

--
Tony J. Podrasky |  What's this thing?
 San Diego , Ca   |  It's called a MODEM.
tonyp@convex.com |  And what's this button for? 
WA2EAA NNNN ZCZC  |  Whatever you do, don't touc{{{7bh6xx!{@%%hxbd&$#)$% NO CARRIER
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc