The above repeaters are on the link fulltime.

There is a certain amount of discord among some of the folks that operate on the system and some who think they have control over the system. I don't want to get into the specifics here. If you are involved, I do hope and pray that all gets worked out. Remember, we are supposed to POLICE ourselves. If you hear someone on any amateur frequency that is not operating within FCC Part 97 rules, it is YOUR PLACE to speak up and advise them of their actions. By not saying anything at all only encourages others to operate in the same manner. Don't be afraid to gently advise an errant new ham and nudge them in the right direction. There's a lot of poor operating practices on all the Amateur bands right now. WE have to put a stop to it. Get familiar with Part 97. Be informed as to the time honored "Gentlemens Agreements" of spectrum use and modes of operation on the bands. Above all else....Remember....AMATEUR RADIO IS NOT CB!!!!! Be polite with those you talk to. If you are a new ham,spend a LOT of time LISTENING!!! Find out how the hams on the frequency/repeater you want to operate on conduct themselves and the way they handle things on that frequency/repeater. So many times I've heard new hams just break right into the middle of a serious conversation just to say that he is "monitoring/listening" only to have those who were engaged to completely lose all train of thought as to what they were discussing. Conduct yourself on the frequency as if your MOTHER is listening...no....make that....as if G O D Himself is listening!! Remember, there are a lot of Moms and children listening on the frequency!! If you just came from the CB band, don't bring your operating practices onto the ham bands...this is not CB and we have no use for that mentality here.
Remember also, when you talk on any one repeater, you are talking on all of them. Let them rest occasionally. When the system is in use there are 13 radios in use. Imagine your little 50 watt 2 meter radio being in use for a long duration at HIGH power. The repeaters operate upwards of 100 watts. They are not made for continuous use. They do get hot and it DOES cause damage!!!! Just be polite, use common sense, and try to project a positive image to those non-hams that are listening on scanners/shortwave receivers. The local governments, private citizens and lots of others listen in on Amateur Radio.
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This page created by MIkey W4JMY updated on 10-11-04 at 1:30a.m.