Sunday, August 24, 2008

CB Lingo

I had my Alinco HT turned on last night, on my nightstand, listening to some of the local Hams chatter away as I was drifting off to sleep. I heard something that instantly had me wide awake, listening.

A very minor thing; but it stuck out; and I feel the need to offer some advice, or perhaps a word of warning.

Two Hams were conversing, one from South New Jersey, the other from Philadelphia. The New Jersey Ham asked the Philadelphia Ham, "What's the personal over there?" To his credit, the Philadelphia Ham came back with, "My name is ........" I was anxiously waiting someone to come on the air to make a big stink out of it. Perhaps, it was the lateness of the hour, and the incident went unnoticed.

Please ......... no!

All of you, don't get offended; or rip me for being snobby or elitist. I welcome everyone to Amateur Radio. Whether your first fledgling steps towards the hobby have been as an SWL or a CB'er - makes no matter to me. You're all welcome with open arms!

But please, all you ex-Citizen Banders out there ..... please leave the CB lingo behind. We have enough of our own vernacular that gets used and abused all too often as it is. The CB stuff just smacks of ...... well, I'm not sure just what.

You're more likely to be abused by some know-it-all elitist out there who feels that he has been anointed "The Guardian of Amateur Radio" - God knows, we have our share. Don't give someone who is not versed in holding their tongue well, the ammunition they need to possibly embarrass or make you feel bad on the air.

And to all of you "Guardians" out there - please engage your brains before your mouths. Let stuff like this slide and instead of criticizing, instruct the person the correct way, quietly on the side. I cringe at the thought of someone discouraging a newcomer. We need all the newcomers we can get - not drive them away.


73 de Larry W2LJ

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:54 AM

    Larry,
    Your a nice guy but I think you have to much time on your hands to worry about this. I heard a new ham just the other day get the riot act because he said 73,s instead of 73. I know you have good intentions but I think we need to worry more about the real sick people I hear saying F--k and s--t and causing malicious interference best 73

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  2. Anonymous11:34 AM

    I got here in a roundabout way from someone elses blog. I agree with the previous comment and don't find anything offensive about what occurred that seemed to make you upset. You came across in your posting as if you're one of the "Guardians" you are so concerned about jumping on someone else.

    Now on to read some of your other posts.

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  3. "Larry,
    Your a nice guy but I think you have to much time on your hands to worry about this".

    Thanks for the kind words; and from your mouth to God's ear! I wish I had too much time on my hands. I write about things that interest me or grab my attention. This did. As you say yourself, "I heard a new ham just the other day get the riot act because he said 73,s instead of 73."

    Exactly! It was my intention to offer a little advice so that THIS newcomer (and you could tell from his callsign that he was just recently licensed) would not get "read the riot act" and get discouraged or disgusted with the hobby. That was my intention, anyway - perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough.

    As to the second commenter: "You came across in your posting as if you're one of the "Guardians" you are so concerned about jumping on someone else. "

    Thanks so much for that! People who know me pretty well would probably argue with you on that point. Thanks for making judgments about me from one blog post.

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  4. Anonymous4:45 PM

    "Thanks so much for that! People who know me pretty well would probably argue with you on that point. Thanks for making judgments about me from one blog post."

    I said you came across as one based on your comments. I didn't say you were one.

    And from the other poster, I don't think I'm the only one that felt that way.

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  5. "I said you came across as one based on your comments. I didn't say you were one.

    And from the other poster, I don't think I'm the only one that felt that way."

    Thanks! That makes me feel SOOOOO much better! Maybe next time you won't hide behind "Anonymous"?

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