[Boatanchors] ARRL?

[Mike Bracey]

I didn't intend to get into this again until I saw Mr. Farrell's response to Mr. Bethman. I am one of the dreaded "no code" hams. I became interested in ham radio in 1967. I bought an SX-28 and built two homemade wood towers and strung up a dipole. I did a lot of listening and eventually had a Hallicrafters SX-100 and a Drake 2B. My parents bought me a Ranger II transmitter so I set about learning code. As I was getting started, life through my family a big curve ball and I had to give up radio. When I reached my 60's I found another SX-28 and the interest was rekindled. Now I was able to fill the house with the boatanchors that I always lusted after. I am an AM'er. Although I have broken down and bought a Hallicrafters SR-160. 

When I retired I decided to finally get my ticket so I could get on the air with my Globe King 400B. I was very surprised when I discover that code was no longer required. I have now worked up to a general license. I was thrilled to finally make it. I found that I still wanted to learn the code so I could use CW. 

The biggest surprise in the hobby to me is how unwelcome I've been made to feel. I was stunned at how elitist the hobby had become. For the most part, old timers seem to be butt hurt that we new guys didn't have to "suffer" like they did to get their ticket. Well guess what, we had nothing to do with it. 

If you read any of these boards it's easy to find week long sessions on how worthless no code hams are and how we've ruined the hobby. How in the world do you wonder how interest in the hobby is falling. A lot of you old-timers take every opportunity to make us new guys feel like unwanted second class citizens. Back in the '60s hams were the friendliest, nicest guys that you would ever want to meet. Unfortunately the same can't be said about today.
So these days I mostly lurk on these boards and try to learn something. I restore my boatanchors and keep to myself. I'm fortunate enough to have found a couple of hams who don't mind a new guy and we have become friends. However, this is the most unwelcoming hobby that I've ever been involved in. I'm sure many will discount what I've said because I'm just a second class no code ham. But that's OK, I'll go back to doing my thing. 

Mike/KE5YTV


      From: B Farrell <bradk4rt at gmail.com>
 To: Boatanchors <Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net> 
 Sent: Friday, March 2, 2018 9:02 AM
 Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] ARRL?
   
If you don't like it N0DGN then unsubscribe or use the delete key. That's
what I do.

On Friday, March 2, 2018, Robert Bethman <oldrotorheadsarge at outlook.com>
wrote:

> Seems like this *USED* to be the Boatanchor list!
>
> Now I don't know what to call it!
>
> All it has been for days is the moan and groan list.
>
> As one whom obtained their Novice and General license the OLD way, I sure
> would say that the last couple of days ABSOLUTELY would turn off ANYONE
> whom would be contemplating actually learning the material and upgrading!
>
> I would now call it the *ELITIST* list.
>
> Look over the last few days postings.  Then sit and THINK about it.
>
> N0DGN
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
> List Administrator: Gary Harmon, K5JWK
> ** For Assistance: gharmon at idworld.net **
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Gary Harmon, K5JWK
** For Assistance: gharmon at idworld.net **


This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html