[Milsurplus] [GreenKeys] lack of civility

Todd, KA1KAQ ka1kaq at gmail.com
Sun Feb 13 17:03:43 EST 2011


A couple thing to keep in mind, Roy:

First, the 'Marconi Net' has zero to do with Marconi, and was started
up a few years back as an excuse to try to claim frequency ownership
in the (perceived to some as) AM Window area of 75m. Basically some
troublemakers trying to make trouble. Many of us who operated AM there
moved elsewhere when the phone band expansion took place anyhow, but
some remained either due to license class restriction or, sadly, to
get down in the mud and wrassle with the pig, so to speak. It's not
mode-specific, there are idiots on all sides. I've heard SSBers
getting into it with Fred the net controller, and heard CW sent over
him as well. Foolishness at least, a pathetic waste of time and
damaging to amateur radio's overall image at worst.

Second, as doc pointed out and the FCC reiterated - "The record is
devoid of a demonstrated nexus between Morse code proficiency and
on-the-air conduct.". This was true back in the 'good old days' as
evidenced by a number of columns in early QST, and even in the 1980s I
remember stations like WA4D (W-A-4-Doggie) causing trouble on the air,
along with the troublemakers on the Intercontinental MM net and so
many others. I think the bigger issue today is less activity, which
lets the problem children stand out more.

Personally I have little use for these so-called nets, as they seem to
serve no real purpose beyond reserving a frequency for group XYZ to
have a roundtable rag chew on. And yes, unless there is a declared
emergency and specific use designated by the FCC, that's all any net
is - a directed roundtable QSO. I have no problem with anyone getting
on and having fun talking with their friends, it's the inevitable
claim of frequency ownership that follows, creating a majority of the
problems on the bands today. That and corntesting. (o:

And as sad as all the stupid behavior is, it's as least as
disappointing to listen around the rest of the band while these
arguments are taking place. Most nights, it's a virtual wasteland.
What a better place HF would be if more folks could learn to break
free their VFO knob and find an open spot to operate instead of
getting into a pissing match over who was there first. I spend my time
down in the 80m portion of the band avoiding what has been labeled as
the 'AM Ghetto'. Much more relaxing and the people are great to talk
with. Some just live for the squabbles though, which is unfortunately
what you witnessed.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4

On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 11:10 AM, roy wildermuth <w3rlw at rochester.rr.com> wrote:
> Hello
>
> Off topic a bit and but I am steamed.
>
> I was stunned last week while listening to *The Marconi Net*. It was jammed
> by someone who used extreme profanity.


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