[Elecraft] Can't we all just get along?

[Ron D' Eau Claire]

> Recently I have received two conflicting impressions from this
> reflector.  First, everyone is in agreement that all questions
> and answers should be shared with the group as they may be
> beneficial to all - that's great!  Second, when a question is
> perceived as misguided or an answer is judged incorrect, the
> postee is chastised by a few in the group.  While this may or may
> not be warranted, I would ask that the sarcasm and ridicule be
> sent directly to the individual instead of to the group - it is
> starting to wear.
> Jim,  N2SUB

I've been around here for about 2 years, and the tone of the posts has swung
back and forth a few times. Eric has done a wonderful job policing the posts
and cutting off errant threads when they threaten to take on a life of their
own.

As a USER of this reflector, I would like to observe that its value is NOT
to those who POST, but for those who READ. You will see my call disappear
for weeks at a time. I haven't gone away, I just haven't had a question to
ask or seen a question that I can contribute to answering. I'm reading and
learning by seeing questions and the following answers. I would guess that
the majority of Elecraft e-mail reflector participants are READERS most of
the time.

I still maintain that the truly smart people aren't the ones with the
answers, they are the ones with the questions.

For the great majority - the READERS - it is very important to answer the
questions on the reflector. Public questions without public answers are just
a waste of bandwidth. For example, I was curious about what contest Leo,
PA5LS, ran into this morning on 10 meters. Apparently someone answered his
question direct and denied everyone else the information.

Sometimes an answer is incomplete or inaccurate. Recently, someone wanted to
know how to use a DX 40 as an amp for their K2. I answered from my
perspective as a CW operator, forgetting that the K2 can run SSB. Someone
else saw my oversight and added a warning that the DX-40 cannot be used for
SSB without major changes. Good catch. Had I answered off line, the other op
may have drawn a wrong conclusion from my incomplete answer.

I believe that the best rule about complaining about someone is that if you
can't say it in public, it's best not said at all. Whenever I see something
that appears idiotic, I take a deep breath and think about it. Over the
years I've discovered that the quickest way to firmly wedge my foot in my
mouth is to sound off at someone because I think they said something stupid.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289