G7LFC's world of…

As an instructor of Amateur Radio foundation courses I drill in to my students that they should establish contacts on the calling frequency of a band and then move to an available working frequency to hold their chat. This is considered to be so important that it is specifically mentioned in the course syllabus – objective 8a.3. If it so important that it is taught to all new foundation licence holders, why do lots of experienced Radio Amateurs (probably many are those that slag off the foundation licence because it is “too easy”) choose to ignore this rule when they should know better.

I attended the Norbreck Amateur Radio Exhibition in Blackpool earlier today as an exhibitor and I am constantly amazed at how many G callsign holders seem to think they are immune from having to move to a working frequency whilst they have a chat. I lost count the number of times calls were issued, and then conversations held, on the 2m calling frequency. Just because you’re at a rally doesn’t mean you don’t have to adhere to the very rules that you would crucify a newly licensed foundation Amateur Radio operator for not upholding every other day of the year.

I know several of my recently successful foundation candidates were at the exhibition purchasing their first pieces of equipment. What must they think after I drilled home that you must follow the rules – what an example to be set by those more experienced Radio Amateurs that should know better.

Maybe some of our more experienced Amateur Radio operators should go back to school and resit a Foundation course – I wonder how many of them would pass?

HackingEthics