[Amps] CB'ers - what IS the problem, anyway???

Fri, 06 Dec 2002 09:24:41 -0500

Hmm..

What *IS* the real difference between a modern "Amateur" operator and a 
CB'er, anyway.  Yes, back in the old days (before the dumbing down of the 
amateur radio test) there was a real technical difference between *most* 
(but not all) of the CB'ers and amateurs.

However, I have met many CB'ers who are VERY technical - can design (not 
just assemble) equipment, but did not become hams because of the code 
test.  Some people just can't do code.

However, many times - at least on 75 meters, I see VERY little difference 
between many of the so-called amateur radio operators and the CB'ers that 
so many chastise for existing.  I have personally administered the General 
class test as a VE, and I will say that virtually ANYONE can pass this test 
who has better than an 8th grade education.

There is *no* technical distinction between the CB'ers and many modern-day 
amateurs.  Most amateurs today are appliance operators.  They pass a simple 
test, buy an expensive piece of equipment, plug it in and get on the 
air.  What *is* the difference between this and what a CB'er does - except 
that the CB'er doesn't have to pass any test at all.  The difference is 
rather thin, if you ask me.

Just as background, I designed and built virtually every piece of radio 
equipment in my station - including converting an old BC1004 receiver to 
solid-state (basically, a complete rebuild).  To *me* this is what Amateur 
radio is all about - being technical, experimenting, building.  But I would 
not ever accuse someone who enjoys a different aspect of the hobby, or is 
here for different reasons as "lesser".  Personally, I include the CB'ers 
in this category.  Why are they less than us?  They just want to 
communicate and have fun, so let them.  Plenty of hams do the exact 
thing.... No one of us is "better" than anyone else.

(Sorry about the old-buzzard transmission :-).

Regards,

Steve WA1QIX  http://www.netway.com/~stevec/ham

At 08:55 PM 12/4/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Not sure why being a CBer is such a stigma :) I have seen bad apples in
>every circle including this one
>but this does not make the entire segment bad :) Perhaps a CBer with a
>Chimney trigered this atitude but most of them, and this includes me, are
>honest to the teeth guys :) Or are we to arogant to alow
>them to live too ?
>
>Mark, "The Butterfly" when on the open road :)...   Long Before Microsoft :)
>
>
>Mark
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Alek Petkovic" <vk6apk@eon.net.au>
>To: <amps@contesting.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 5:50 PM
>Subject: [Amps] Not
>
>
> > It is now evident that _ -_-Bear is not a derivation of CBer. I guess I'm
> > guilty of doing too many cryptic crosswords. I'm always looking for hidden
> > meanings.
> >
> > Once again, my apologies to Randall, WB2GCR for any embarrassment I may
> > have caused him.
> >
> > 73, Alek
> > ..._   _._   _....   ._   ._ _.  _._
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Amps mailing list
> > Amps@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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[Amps] CB'ers - what *IS* the problem, anyway???

[Amps] CB'ers - what IS the problem, anyway???