Subj : Re: Repost from FB - Ham To : Rug Rat From : jimmy anderson Date : Thu Nov 06 2025 06:32:24 -=> Rug Rat wrote to All <=- RR> 2) Thats depends on your geography, in SoCal this is not the case RR> (Though one2 of the things I miss about SoCal, is the wide area RR> coverage repeaters 6 - 7k mountains will give you.). I will admit in RR> the Florida panhandle this is the case. I have had more QSOs either on RR> SIMPLEX (My Echolink node via the EastCoast Reflector, or .520). It is RR> what it is, though that just gives me more reason to get on HF. When I travel north, back when we were using the truck that has the mobile rig, I would hit Evansville and have traffic - then it would peter out - then Bloomington and Indianapolis were ALWAYS hopping! So yeah, depends on your location... And yes to the HF statement... That's the main reason I am interested - so that I can get our further! RR> Meanwhile, we spend more time arguing about Baofeng's and Digital modes RR> than actually talking on the air .. RR> Where are we arguing, if it is on the air (especially your local RR> repeater), that kind of negates your first argument. What are these RR> arguments about? I think the general statement is that 'old timers' complain about Baofeng's. I used to geocache - a LOT - with my wife, kids and some other friends. This was before smart phones, when you had to use a handheld GPS, and we had programs to load the data from a laptop. It was a VERY niche hobby. Now with smartphones anyone and everyone can just open the app and go right there - then log it from the app, etc. Now don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it's BAD that it's more accesible to the general public! I think that's great! But to 'old timers' like me, some of the charm is gone. Equating that to the B'fang discussion though, some people say that's not REAL ham radio... Personally, I don't hear that around here, but there might be people actually saying it. RR> That doesn't make RR> it legal, and people should definately not be encouraging new hams to RR> do this. If you have a GMRS license, great, just don't use amateur RR> gear to use it. Yep - and 'kids' getting radios from Amazon and using them on the amateur bands without a license. Yes, it's bad - yes, it's illegal. But the answer is not to slap their hand, but to hold it and guide them on the proper use. GENTLY. I think the OP is talking about the general attitude (salute) of SOME people that say 'get out of my yard and off my band.' RR> So get on another net. The East Coast Reflector runs some great nets, RR> such as the Morning Brew, Tech Net, Youth Net (Which is a great way to RR> promote amateur radio to young people). Get your younger family RR> members involved. 3rd party traffic is not only allowed but ENCOURAGED RR> (Which will make this post entirely superfluous.), and my favorite RR> Trivia Net. Ham radio has always been what YOU make of it. I need to look into those... I don't have anything digital nor HF though, but I have used echonet before... RR> In any facet of RR> life you will have people who will brush you off, if someone at a club RR> meeting or convention gives you the cold shoulder, likes Kenwood Vs. RR> Yaesu, or tells you that you are not a real ham because you have a RR> BatFang, go find someone who does. Agreed! I play music and used to jam a LOT in the local bluegrass 'club.' I have a 1969 Yamaha that is a copy of a D-18 Martin. It is LOUD as a CANNON! I get a kick out of people that compliment the guitar and the sound and then they look at the headstock and see it's NOT a Martin and their countenance changes. They suddenly dismiss it cause it's not a REAL guitar. LOL I want to ask, "why don't you like it now that you know the brand?" LOL RR> I however cringe going to the fair, and hearing someone trying to RR> entice people to get into the hobby by saying, "Do you have a cell RR> phone? You have a radio right in your pocket..". If I had no interest RR> in the hobby, or know nothing about ham radio. Telling me I already RR> have something that will do what you are trying to demonstrate. I will RR> most likely stop listening as I already have it, and it has more RR> features than what you are trying to sell me. Again, I applaud the RR> effort, and it would take a lot to get me to take their place, but RR> UGGGH... Yep! If someone has no interest, they have no interest. I have no interest in contesting, but I'll be happy to answer POTA CQ's once I get an HF rig, because I like to TALK TO PEOPLE. :-) Heck - it's what got me into BBS's years ago - the nets! .... Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? --- MultiMail/Mac v0.52 * Origin: Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com (1:105/7) .