[Elecraft] OT: Hate the word "ham"

[Julian G4ILO]

On 6/23/07, n5ib at juno.com <n5ib at juno.com> wrote:
> I'll offer a comment here...
>
> I beleive that the phrase "ham radio operators" carries more recognition
> with the public than "amateur radio operators." At least here along the
> hurricane coast if you tell someone your hobby is amatuer radio you might
> get a quizzical look, but if you say you're a ham operator they tend to
> perk up and say somethig like "Oh, like the guys who helped out after
> Katrina?" The news media usually refers to "reports via ham radio
> operators" and similar words. Our Louisiana call letter plates have the
> legend "Ham Operator."

I'm with you on this. When you have a recognizable brand name you
don't throw it away, and "ham radio" means more to most people than
any new name you might make up. "Amateur" tends to imply incompetence
to most people. There is far more to the hobby than people operating
radios and not being paid.

-- 
Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
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