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

[Steve Cloutier, 978-597-3311]

Hi!

This particular thread seems to be staying at an intelligent level 
:-)  It's nice to have a discussion without name calling or degrading comments.

But, my experience contradicts the last set of comments ..... to wit:


>Ham:
>Have call signs,  identify themselves and do so proudly

SOMETIMES - sometimes, not.  We *regularly* have problems with jammers, 
malicious QRM'ers and others who do NOT identify at any time.  Happens all 
the time.  I have recordings of same.

>Have standards of operation and rules that must be followed

Well, they certainly don't HAVE to be followed :-) - otherwise we wouldn't 
have the interference and jamming problems.  In fact, one of these guys 
called me ON THE PHONE and threatened to "punch my face" at the next 
hamfest.  Real adult behaviour.  I called the police and reported the 
incident.  Nothing foul ever came of it, but it was certanly a felony.

>Have system of monitoring and reporting problems with behavior or 
>equipment problems (Official Observers)
>Are licensed ( which is a contract that states that they will abide by the 
>rules and regulations set by FCC

>Do not have problem with illegal sales of drugs or prostitution on their 
>bands.

Oh, I have to say this is just not true.  Ok, I've never heard a ham 
looking for tricks, but I certainly have heard drug deals set up over the 
air.  Not recently, but during the '70s :-)

>Do not promote the use of vulgar language

Well, this is just not so.  When these guys get drunk, it really flies.


>illegal CB operators:
>Disguise their identity
>have no concern to follow any standard of conduct, operations
>Have no way to maintain quality standards in their ranks.
>The bands are full of vulgar speaking operators and illegal solicitations.
>etc etc

Illegal ham operators do the same thing, and I have certainly seen all of 
this happen.  Happens frequently, unfortunately - at least on 75 
meters.  Sometimes on 160, too - which used to be the "gentleman's band".

>Building and experimenting is returning mostly in the form of QRP.

Oh no, don't believe it!  There is PLENTY of experimenting, and real 
designing and invention happening on ham radio every day.  And, it's high 
power, modern technology.  I can, off the top of my head, produce a list of 
probably 50 amateurs who I know of  who are experimenting and 
building.  And these are just folks *I* know about, and I'm just one 
person, in the New England region.

Seriously, there is a lot of building and experimenting happening.   Here's 
one place to check it out:  http://www.netway.com/~stevec/ham/classe.htm

There are more examples.  Some of the work is real cutting edge, too!

Regards,

Steve WA1QIX