Courtesy


Let's talk about net and on the air courtesy.

When you are talking on your handheld, at least every two minutes you should allow enough time between transmissions so that an individual who wants to make a call or needs help can get to the repeater.

When you hear a call sign in the midst of a conversation the last person transmitting should acknowledge calling station.

If you are in doubt about your signal, ask. If it is reported to be noisy or poor wait until your can get closer to the repeater site. Remember you can receive much farther than you can transmit.

Keep your conversations to a reasonable length, ask whether any one wants to use the repeater.

Keep a pad and pencil close to your base to record numbers in case of emergency.

Don't acknowledge a station not identifying unless an emergency is declared, then do what is required.

Don't use a key click to acknowledge a transmission.

Listen for at least the time it takes the repeater to cycle before you transmit. It could be that a net is in progress and net control is waiting for someone to respond to his call sign. This happens, I have heard at least four individuals break in to a net without listening or had the volume down. Embarrassing!

Please do not take offense if another ham makes comment on you signal. We are only trying to help. A comment might save your radio A poor signal report might suggest you check you antenna, it could be broken or disconnected. Radios don't like that condition and have a habit of burning up finals when it happens.

If you have other radios on in the car or at home turn them off before you transmit. It is very annoying to have background noise on the signal.

I know that many of you have a feeling that you should not listen in on a phone patch or a conversation that may be somewhat personal, but keep in mind that you may be able to help out sometime when an another ham is in trouble. I think that everyone realizes that the airwaves are open and if they forget, then that is their problem.