by G0BHD » Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:43 am
It's very much the same within RX range of here Mark.
Of a late evening by far the biggest gathering by way of a net if you want to call it that of "licensed radio amateurs" occurs on 446.
They don't even hide the fact they are amateurs, often mentioning what they have been doing on HF etc. during the day, bragging about the latest linear and "what it will do" including on 11 meters, and none of them are using either type approved 446 gear OR sticking anyway remotely close to 0.5 watts!
You can times that by 50 just as a starting point.
As to why they do it, they treat it really like a gloves off "Tap Room", often the language and topics on there you would not like anyone without very broad shoulders to overhear coming out of your shack speaker.
I know most of the voices on there, they don't use their amateur call signs of course, but they are unmistakable, I have known and heard around most of them for years, and most were and still remain avid "freebanders" despite getting whatever licence level for amateur radio they also happen to hold.
I think basically the "good buddy" mentality has never left them, and never will.
As for licence levels a mixture, mainly old M3's, a couple of full licence holders, and just lately a growing smattering of brand new 7's previously unlicensed, but who have taken advantage of the latest "bar lowering" online route, spurred on by their peers.
It's very much the same within RX range of here Mark.
Of a late evening by far the biggest gathering by way of a net if you want to call it that of "licensed radio amateurs" occurs on 446. :roll:
They don't even hide the fact they are amateurs, often mentioning what they have been doing on HF etc. during the day, bragging about the latest linear and "what it will do" including on 11 meters, and none of them are using either type approved 446 gear OR sticking anyway remotely close to 0.5 watts! :D
You can times that by 50 just as a starting point. ;)
As to why they do it, they treat it really like a gloves off "Tap Room", often the language and topics on there you would not like anyone without very broad shoulders to overhear coming out of your shack speaker. ;)
I know most of the voices on there, they don't use their amateur call signs of course, but they are unmistakable, I have known and heard around most of them for years, and most were and still remain avid "freebanders" despite getting whatever licence level for amateur radio they also happen to hold.
I think basically the "good buddy" mentality has never left them, and never will.
As for licence levels a mixture, mainly old M3's, a couple of full licence holders, and just lately a growing smattering of brand new 7's previously unlicensed, but who have taken advantage of the latest "bar lowering" online route, spurred on by their peers.