It was exactly this sort of goings-on that I heard as a SWL some 15 years
ago that made me think "why on earth would I want to become an amateur with
that sort of behaviour?".
And you know what? I never did get my licence until some 13 years after
that. So such behaviour definitely has a detrimental effect to the amateur
community at large.

Thankfully, its something I don't dwell on, and it appears to be so
infrequent that I'm not overly concerned about it. But how many other
prospective new hams have been similarly affected as SWLs?

Ta - Jason VK7ZJA

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"Cosmo" wrote in message
u...
I'm currently listening to 7.070Mhz. The time is 19:20EDT

I find the operations by some licensed amateurs and perhaps a pirate
station
is just appalling. Operators and I use the word loosely, making threats at
each other, whistling over each other and discussing tracking operators
down
to sort them out!
It sounded like the 27Mhz CB band back in the mid seventies.

I can remember when amateurs took pride in their operating practices and
gentlemanly behaviour. If this what it is to become why would anyone be
attracted to the hobby unless perhaps they are an ignorant thugs. It
appears
to me and I know I will be condemned for this, but we seem to have
accepting
lower standards in more ways than we expected.

I believe that simply ignoring these operating practices and these
operators
will allow segments of the bands to become no go ghettos. A completely
unacceptable and un-Australian outcome.
I also believe that the looming threat to this great hobby come from
within
as mach as from outside forces, and there fore suggest that something akin
to intruder watch be applied to monitoring amateur operations as I think
the
authorities response will be that we need to self regulate.

I am offering this observation for discussion and we be keen to see what
others think!

Cheers

Peter VK3YSF