OT: Hate the word "ham"
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So Ken hates the word "Ham" when used to describe us, well, hams.
ME TOO! 1. As a adjective to RADIO, it adds no meaning except to other hams 2. To the uninitiated, is sounds rather silly (at best) 3. It does not convey the technical nor operating skill levels required/achieved 4. Zero offense to Elecraft, but I can only imagine what "hands-on ham radio" conveys to a non-ham. LOL For me, I'd rather be called a "short wave" radio operator, even though I operate on frequencies outside the "short waves." At least "short wave" is a term many folks (but probably not kids) understand. Then again, I'm sure kids today would get a good laugh (and not much more) from the phrase "ham radio." Maybe us "hams" need a campaign to repackage ourself in terms of the public. de Doug KR2Q _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:
> So Ken hates the word "Ham" when used to describe us, well, hams. > > ME TOO! > > 1. As a adjective to RADIO, it adds no meaning except to other hams > > 2. To the uninitiated, is sounds rather silly (at best) > > 3. It does not convey the technical nor operating skill levels > required/achieved > > 4. Zero offense to Elecraft, but I can only imagine what "hands-on > ham radio" conveys to a non-ham. LOL > > > For me, I'd rather be called a "short wave" radio operator, even > though I operate on frequencies outside the "short waves." At least > "short wave" is a term many folks (but probably not kids) understand. > Then again, I'm sure kids today would get a good laugh (and not much > more) from the phrase "ham radio." > > Maybe us "hams" need a campaign to repackage ourself in terms of the > public. > > de Doug KR2Q The term "Ham Radio" has been used at least for 75 years, possibly more. Most of us "old-timers" are proud to be Hams. But then, we took "real" exams and even, back in the olden days, had to pass a Morse Code test. (After walking barefoot in the snow 5 miles to the FCC examiner, of course). Perhaps the term "Ham Radio" has become outmoded, with the new trends in Amateur Radio, no more code test, memorized exams, etc. So maybe we should "repackage" ourselves. I know! Why don't we call it "Citizen's Band?" (CB for short). --- _ _ _ _ _ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ John L. Sielke ( W )( 2 )( A )( G )( N ) http://w2agn.net \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ http://www.blurty.com/users/w2agn check out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QRPariahs/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL
> So Ken hates the word "Ham" when used to describe us, well, hams.
> > ME TOO! It fits with the old-fashioned-ness of the hobby. The other embarrassing word we use is "Elmer" to refer to a mentor. In terms of its reputation and usefulness, ham radio seems stuck in the 50's to me. Technology-wise it's pretty up-to-date but for the most part it's a quaint throwback to simpler times. The name "ham" may be odd and embarrassing, but people do know what it means. Craig NZ0R _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by W2AGN-2
Relax and promote my one man effort to re-label the "ham" in ham radio to
mean its real true roots....... Helping All Mankind. I suggested this meaning to ARRL and they even allowed a short letter to the editor in QST from me saying this, but edited it out of my article for them. It was not ARRL's idea and thus automatically has no merit. Try it... Helping All Mankind.... you'll like it. 73 Charles Harpole [hidden email] _________________________________________________________________ Picture this share your photos and you could win big! http://www.GETREALPhotoContest.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL
I'll offer a comment here...
I beleive that the phrase "ham radio operators" carries more recognition with the public than "amateur radio operators." At least here along the hurricane coast if you tell someone your hobby is amatuer radio you might get a quizzical look, but if you say you're a ham operator they tend to perk up and say somethig like "Oh, like the guys who helped out after Katrina?" The news media usually refers to "reports via ham radio operators" and similar words. Our Louisiana call letter plates have the legend "Ham Operator." To that end, the magnetic signs we are making to put on vehicles when we are doing public service communications at events will read ----------------------------------------- (with BRARC Club and ARRL logos) Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club HAM RADIO COMMUNICATIONS ----------------------------------------- 73, Jim, N5IB _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On 6/23/07, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I'll offer a comment here... > > I beleive that the phrase "ham radio operators" carries more recognition > with the public than "amateur radio operators." At least here along the > hurricane coast if you tell someone your hobby is amatuer radio you might > get a quizzical look, but if you say you're a ham operator they tend to > perk up and say somethig like "Oh, like the guys who helped out after > Katrina?" The news media usually refers to "reports via ham radio > operators" and similar words. Our Louisiana call letter plates have the > legend "Ham Operator." I'm with you on this. When you have a recognizable brand name you don't throw it away, and "ham radio" means more to most people than any new name you might make up. "Amateur" tends to imply incompetence to most people. There is far more to the hobby than people operating radios and not being paid. -- Julian, G4ILO G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com K2 s/n: 392 K3 s/n: ??? www.Ham-Directory.com: the best ham resources on the net _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
Re: OT: Hate the word "ham"
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In reply to this post by n5ib
I always remember wanting to be a "Ham". I have now been a ham for 43
plus years having acquired WN2MIC in 1963. It is a respectful term as well as one of endearment, in my opinion. If the public at large is unfamiliar with or find the term "ham" as odd or unusual, then I suggest an opportunity has opened to educate them. Jozef WB2MIC [hidden email] wrote: > I'll offer a comment here... > > I beleive that the phrase "ham radio operators" carries more recognition > with the public than "amateur radio operators." At least here along the > hurricane coast if you tell someone your hobby is amatuer radio you might > get a quizzical look, but if you say you're a ham operator they tend to > perk up and say somethig like "Oh, like the guys who helped out after > Katrina?" The news media usually refers to "reports via ham radio > operators" and similar words. Our Louisiana call letter plates have the > legend "Ham Operator." > > To that end, the magnetic signs we are making to put on vehicles when we > are doing public service communications at events will read > > ----------------------------------------- > (with BRARC Club and ARRL logos) > > Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club > > HAM RADIO COMMUNICATIONS > ----------------------------------------- > > 73, > Jim, N5IB > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hard to say which "name" carries the most negative implications
to the public ... "ham" or "amateur" - but I'd expect "ham" is the most negative. Yes -WE- think of "ham" fondly, but to someone who knows little or nothing about the hobby it means something "less than good". Perhaps the best we can do is "Ham radio operator", but NEVER Ham operator! 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: OT: Hate the word "ham"
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In reply to this post by DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL
I don't mind the term, "Ham".
What I really hate is "Amateur Radio operator". Many Radio Amateurs are much more than mere operators - designers, builders, elmers, experimenters and so on. Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #4962 -- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n5ib
I agree Jim,
Even as recently as 2003 when Walter Cronkite hosted the video "Amateur Radio Today" he refers to radio amateurs as "HAMS". Just part of a long established lexicon. By the way, it's a pretty good video too: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z9136_Nhh4&mode=related&search=> 73, Frank - W6NEK - (A HAM since 1959) ----- Original Message ----- From: <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 7:52 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Hate the word "ham" > I'll offer a comment here... > > I beleive that the phrase "ham radio operators" carries more recognition > with the public than "amateur radio operators." At least here along the > hurricane coast if you tell someone your hobby is amatuer radio you might > get a quizzical look, but if you say you're a ham operator they tend to > perk up and say somethig like "Oh, like the guys who helped out after > Katrina?" The news media usually refers to "reports via ham radio > operators" and similar words. Our Louisiana call letter plates have the > legend "Ham Operator." > > To that end, the magnetic signs we are making to put on vehicles when we > are doing public service communications at events will read > > ----------------------------------------- > (with BRARC Club and ARRL logos) > > Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club > > HAM RADIO COMMUNICATIONS > ----------------------------------------- > > 73, > Jim, N5IB > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Positive Recognition (WAS: Hate the word "ham")
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Just a few days ago XYL Cobi and I moved to a new QTH on the Oregon Coast -
a small community of homes on the hillside directly above the beach. While our home is well above the tsunami danger line, the only way into our out of this general area is two-lane US highway 101 running along the beach, barely twenty feet above high tide in many places. It was clear to us that storm surges as well as tsunamis could easily disrupt use of the road, perhaps for several days or even weeks in the event of a serious earthquake/tsunami event. We are in a community of perhaps 100 homes on fairly large wooded lots. I've lived in such communities before and know to be prepared to get along without outside contact for food, water or perhaps even power for days at a time if there's a major storm or other problem. But I wasn't really prepared for the level of organization here. Today I had a visit from a neighbor. The community was going through simulated emergency exercise. In an emergency volunteer teams check with every home to see if anyone is sick, injured or otherwise needs assistance. Radio communications links are set up with county disaster centers and the US Coast Guard. Today a Coast Guard helicopter did a basket pickup from a clearing nearby - what they'd do if someone needed emergency aid when the road was cut (Now there's an "E-ticket" ride I'd like to take!). While we talked, I made a "magic comment" that caused my visitor, Mike, to light up all smiles and he asked if I'd be willing to work with the community providing what they consider an absolutely essential service. He assured me that all of my neighbors would be forever in my debt if I could participate. Of course I told him I would. The "magic comment" I made was this: "I'm a Ham." Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO
Julian G4ILO wrote:
> > I'm with you on this. When you have a recognizable brand name you > don't throw it away, and "ham radio" means more to most people than > any new name you might make up. During the US adventure in SE Asia, I served in the First Mobile Communications Group. We had communications teams all over Vietnam, Laos, and some in Thailand, and we were well known by all the services as "The MOB" and "Mobsters." Probably the coolest nickname for a military unit I've ever heard. Much like "Ham," it got people's attention, and since we were so good at providing combat communications, it helped endear us to those units we often had to rely on for shelter, food, water, fuel, mail, and sometimes ammunition. It was neat to be so well known and liked. Then somewhere along the way, some fairly dim bulb threw away our "brand name" and renamed us the First Combat Communications Group. Go ahead ... make a cool nickname out of that one :-( 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2007 CQP Oct 6-7 - www.cqp.org _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Jozef Hand-Boniakowski
Jozef,
For what it is worth, the lone term "ham" should be used carefully in my opinion. It is also used in theater and other efforts of endeavor, and in some cases, it is not always viewed in a positive light. I am always careful to use the words "Ham Radio" together except in cases where I am discussing withe another amateur or someone who is quite familiar with the hobby. 73, Don W3FPR Jozef Hand-Boniakowski wrote: > I always remember wanting to be a "Ham". I have now been a ham for 43 > plus years having acquired WN2MIC in 1963. It is a respectful term as > well as one of endearment, in my opinion. If the public at large is > unfamiliar with or find the term "ham" as odd or unusual, then I suggest > an opportunity has opened to educate them. > > Jozef WB2MIC > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n5ib
On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 09:52:44 -0500, [hidden email] wrote:
>To that end, the magnetic signs we are making to put on vehicles when we >are doing public service communications at events will read >----------------------------------------- >(with BRARC Club and ARRL logos) >Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club >HAM RADIO COMMUNICATIONS >----------------------------------------- With all due respect, I would replace that last line with: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM My two electrons..... -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 Member, Washington County, OR Emergency Communications Team for ARES/RACES and HEARTNET _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
On Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:26:20 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote:
>Then somewhere along the way, some fairly dim bulb threw away >our "brand name" and renamed us the First Combat Communications >Group. Go ahead ... make a cool nickname out of that one :-( The "ComComms". Why not? <g> -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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