[K3CAL] Growing up and moving on...

[steve hempling]

             The Calvert Amateur Radio Association means a lot to most 
of us, but it meant everything to just a few.  After attending a recent 
hamfest where my friend and I were verbally assaulted, (even the 
witnessing vendor stepped back from the table) both of us were left 
stunned and with uncomfortable tightness in the chest. We finished 
shopping,
left the very nice hamfest, and obviously talked on the way home. This 
is just a club, a group of volunteers, enjoying a common interest. Most 
of us are retired, enjoying the hobby and the camaraderie that comes 
from people who are committed to serving the community.

             It came to my attention a few days later that there's new 
local activity on 6 meters and perhaps I should be listening. Easy 
enough to do.., I did and was surprised to hear the activity included, 
comments about myself and  another ham that was not complimentary.  The 
comments were perhaps outside of what the FCC would like to hear and I 
was sorry that I had not recorded the 6 meter FM activity.  Knowing how 
some members are concerned about the recording of conversations, I gave 
my friendly guys at ARRL Legal Department a call, and asked about the 
legality of recording stuff heard over the air. Well it seems that it is 
perfectly legal, though I imagine that could change depending on the way 
the recordings are used. He was intrigued as to why I was calling and 
asking; and I briefly told him of what I intended to do with the 
recordings. When things stray too far, Official Observers (OO's) 
sometimes record to use the evidence to prosecute the offender. I am 
not, nor do I want to be, an OO. The conversation with ARRL continued 
and he asked what I intended to do with the recordings. I told him that 
I intended to continue the recording and gleaning the "Good Stuff" I 
intended to share it with the membership... a trial by our pears. 
Intending to gather enough dirt said about enough people, that all could 
see what friends say about their friends. Having an IC-R20 that can 
record 6 hours worth and only record when the squelch opens was just too 
easy. Well I began a daily routine of seeing what was recording and 
saving it in a file. Too easy, and was I rewarded!  Yes I have a couple 
of choice nuggets I have not shared with the persons discussed, but to 
what gain would this be? To further divide an already divided club would 
accomplish nothing. After all, this is just a club of community oriented 
individuals sharing a common interest.

             My friend called today to ask me to do a favor for him.  I 
wished him a very happy 80th birthday, and we talked a little as he 
drove. He said he's got a new outlook on life at 80 and he has no 
intention of letting any of this stuff bother nor affect him, "life is 
too short" he said.... I replied to him that you know...on that thought 
why am I spending time recording/listening/cataloguing things that give 
you chest pains. I really have better things to do with my limited time. 
So for now friends, the Icom R-20 just became a scanner, and those 
involved can say what you want about whoever, comfortable in the 
knowledge that no one except the DX that can copy the signals will 
wonder what happened to "family radio".

             Last, but not least, those concerned individuals that gave 
the password to their web sight over the air can sleep comfortably 
knowing that hacking and mischievous activity is not my style. At 64 
I've grown up and moved on, can you?

                                 respectfully,

                              Steve Hempling  73!