[AMRadio] AM Presentation

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 2:58 PM, Donald Chester <k4kyv at charter.net> wrote:

>
> Sometimes I hear people deriding AMers as being "elitist". Maybe it WOULD
> be
> appropriate to compare ourselves to fine wine.
>

Only one problem with that, Don: we're not fine wine. It's a hobby, not a
profession. Hence the term 'amateur'. Doesn't mean we have to act like a
bunch of idiots but I can assure you, there's no one out there to impress
beyond some unknowing newb on the bands (perhaps).

I've never come across anyone deriding AMers as elitist anywhere in all my
years; quite the opposite, actually. I have noted one or two hams trying to
use AM or Amateur Radio to make themselves look better than someone else or
some other group. A perfect example would be those who deride the Citizens
Radio Service aka CB due to the actions of operators there. These same
people will also complain about SSB operators while ignoring similar poor
behavior on AM. If you're going to blame an entire service for the way some
number of operators misuse it and find it appalling, you'd never hold an
amateur license. Then again, you don't have to act like the problem
children, regardless of mode or service.



> So, wouldn't  we  wish to possess special interests and abilities in
> something we are good at, or do we prefer mediocrity and  taking pride in
> our ignorance?
>


It's only special to us and those we share it with. Taking pride in our
abilities, setting a good example, and trying to attract others to a
pastime we enjoy are certainly good goals. Using it as a bragging point aka
elitist-specialty mode/hobby strikes me as pretty pointless. Especially if
we want to attract new blood from within our own ranks. In the end it seems
many prefer to talk about it while few actually do anything about it. Made
worse by those who get online to chat to a perceived bigger audience on
multiple sites instead of getting on the air. Listen to the bands lately.
Not the kind of activity you heard even a handful of years ago, muchless a
decade or more.

As to folks finding 'something more' in operating AM, I suspect that's how
it works with any mode or interest in amateur radio, be it DXing,
ragchewing, even contesting: some folks try it and find something about it
that holds their interest. Others try it and move on. Beating our chests
that were a 'specialty' or 'legacy' mode won't change it. As to mediocrity,
I recall a similar argument by some folks years ago that ended up giving
Collins gear a bad name as clearly 'anything else is settling for less' or
whatever.

When it comes to amateur radio I'll take pride over elitism any day. I
accept my ignorance, too. As my mom always said "It's what you learn after
you know it all that counts".


~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4