"Dan/W4NTI" wrote in message ...
"Bert Craig" wrote in message
. net...
"Robert Casey" wrote in message
...


This is actually not such a bad idea. I've always supported dropping
the
155.3 mi. limit on CB and the idea of allowing hams to reduce their
power
and elmer CBers on channels 36 through 40 USB on the finer point of
DXing. I
think it'd be a great recruitment tool, just MHO.



We could do that now, *IF* we use type accepted (or whatever they call
it nowadays) CB radios
instead of our ham transcievers, and not exceed the distance limit.

'Zactly! I currently run a slightly older Uniden Grant XL, type certified
and 100% legal.

But
I think the CBers
might see us as invaders on their turf, like we see them when invading
10m. It might be better
to be low key,

I usually keep it subtle and have always had pretty good results. NOTE:
Those who bootleg on 10m (Or any other ham band.) are neither included in
this discussion nor welcomed on either band. I'll drop a dime on them in a
NY minute! (...and have done so in the past.)

maybe have the ARRL buy ads in CB magizines that say

IMHO, the ARRL blew a golden opportunity for a win-win situation in 2000
when it comment against RM-9807. I don't think the ARRL's is very much
appreciated among CB circles, HOWEVER, true CB "hobbyists" (Sorry, Phil.)
DO
respect ARO's and are usually quite receptive.

something like "if
you get a general or extra ham license, you can DX on many different
bands using more
power (legally) even when the sunspots are out of season. 'You already
love radio, see
how much more fun you can have with a ham license'." Of course one
would have to
wordsmith it right to attract serious and disiplined operators and not
the kids and "lids".
Without making ham radio look condensending or putting CBers down.

Funny story...well, kinda. I walked into the corner 7-Eleven and prepared
to
get my dailly fix of Java when a chap nodded in my direction and asked
"you
a ham?" It occured to me that he had seen my AR license plates and since
we
were the only two in the store, it was equally easy for me to notice the
Wilson 1000 atop his vehicle. I nodded toward his car and asked him
"what'cha runnin'?" Well, I could tell right away it wasn't kosher because
you could cut the immediate cloud of nerousness with a knife. "Relax, I've
been where you are and I can help you get to where you wanna be." Crash,
down came the wall of apprehension. He was using one of those zillion
channel Ranger rigs. I explained that if he'd let me, I could show him how
to use that legally. Subtly massaged the enforcement angle into the
conversation too. I lived three blocks away so I permanently lent him
my
Gordo Tech study guide and a copy of my ARRL code CD's. Told him the code
test was nothing to sweat and if he any problems just give me a holler.
Well, the next time he "hollered," he had two CSCE's in hand and a new
Tech"+" was waiting for a call. Now that he's tasted more bandwidth, he
doesn't want to risk losing those priviledges on any illegal 11-meter
frequencies anymore. I personally don't care what his motivations are to
fly
straight are, I'm just glad that he is. Sure, I could've immediately
beaten
him up re. his rig or lectured him on what CB was originally intended
for...but what would it have gained? CB gained a legal op, and he gained a
whole new world of radio. For all I know, he might very well be an Extra
by
now. I do know it felt good. :-)

I'm
not that
good a writer, but I think that it could be done well.

I think you just did a great job.

--
73 de Bert
WA2SI



I used to do the same thing with the customers I had in my CB shop a few
years back. Got a LOT of converts that way.

Kewl beans, it doesn't always work but when it does...it sure feels
good.

But it was tough sometimes when they came in and asked me why the Swerrrrrrs
were so high on their whup, when it was mounted with straps to the metal
cab of the truck.

That wasn't the tough part for me. It's the ones with the really bad
attitudes who wear me out. At a certain point, you end up deciding who
is worth the effort and who to ditch.

Dan/W4NTI

73 de Bert
WA2SI