"Airy R. Bean" wrote in message
...
It is not a stupid response at all. Far from it; it is a response that
stands for the maintenance of standards in Ham Radio. The M3/CB
Fools' Licence here in Britland is an advanced CB licence, but it
is not a Ham Radio licence by any stretch of the imagination.


Rubbish. I know several M3's, some of whom I have met on air (CW, that is).
Proficient and courteous ops. Some of them are enthusiastic homebrewers,
whose technical knowledge surely exceeds many, if not most, "full" license
holders. To date, every M3 I have met is on his way to the full license.
Several have got theirs since I first knew them.

I suspect that the majority of "full" license holders, "real" amateurs you
would call them, buy their black box straight after the license arrives and
never heat up a soldering iron. So what? If they're interested in ATV, CW,
SSB, VHF, UHF, digital modes, homebrewing, DX'ing, whatever - who cares? The
aspect is wide enough to cater for everyone's interest! Have your own
interest and enjoy the hobby, without needing to mock others who enjoy it in
their own way.

For myself, I have never operated a black box rig. Every single QSO I have
ever had was on my all-homebrew station, see
http://www.hanssummers.com/radio/g0upl/qsl/index.htm. But I still don't care
who else does what - they ham their way and I ham mine - I know how I enjoy
the hobby and I get on with it. When I CQ anyone is welcome - any speed,
country, AND license class! I can't believe that there are those who'll hear
an M3 and refuse to answer their call. Is that what amateur radio stands
for?

May I also assure non-UK readers that Mr Bean's opinions and attitudes are
not representative of UK amateurs in general. Mr Bean does seem an
appropriate nickname however.

72/3 de Hans G0UPL
http://www.HansSummers.com