-=> Sean Dennis wrote to All <=-

 SD> Hello All,

 SD> I though you all might get a kick out of this.  This is a static page
 SD> on my blog...

 SD> - Using the term "73" incorrectly: "73" means
"best regards".  Using
 SD> "very 73" is fine.  Using "73s" is not.  You
don't say "best
 SD> regardses", do you?  So you shouldn't use "73s".  
There is also "best
 SD> 73s".  "Best best regardses" doesn't make any sense
. . . but you
 SD> should.

I'll admit I intentionally did this once when I knew a guy was
listening that didn't like it. :-)

There's a local HAM that says "Roger Roger" pretty often, like someone
saying "um" or "y'know" or any other verbal tic. He
means nothing by
it, it's just his way of acknowledgement before continuing on to his
next statement. 

Well, he was on the air one night as I was driving home and apparently
there were others than me listening in as he was talking to another 
local. Well after they stopped the other one sounded VERY agitated and
proceeded to tell the 'non offender' that people should learn proper
HAM speak and that there's no need to say "yes yes" and that it's 73,
not multiple. The other guy had a smile in his voice and let the guy
vent. Then I popped in and very quickly said, "been listening Danny
and just wanted to say hello to you before I got home." He came back
to me and said something cordial to which I replied - "Roger Roger - 
I'm pulling in the drive - 73's to you" and signed off. The 'old guy'
IMMEDIATELY chimed in with a 'young whipersnapper' comment and 
Danny was obviously having to fight the urge to laugh out loud. Of
course he knew I was just having fun. :-)

 SD> - Using "Q codes" or "10 codes" on a VHF/UHF
repeater: As with the
 SD> above "73", you don't go around saying to your boss,
"I gotta get to
 SD> the home QTH to go 10-100!"  "Q codes" are
acceptable on HF with SSB
 SD> and CW (with the possibility of computer digital modes but that's
 SD> another story), but when using nearly crystal-clear FM, you can use
 SD> proper English and speak like a functioning human being.

LOL - yeah every now and again I'll hear some repeater talk where someone
mentions getting a QSO. Doesn't bother me, but I notice it.

 SD> - Saying "for ID" when using your callsign on a repeater: For God's
 SD> sake, people, your callsign IS your ID!  Just giving your callsign
 SD> identifies yourself.  When you say "for ID", you sound
like an idiot.
 SD> Please, only your callsign.  You don't hear the repeater add
"for ID"
 SD> after it identifies itself, do you?

The only time I've heard this myself is when the repeater gives it's
callsign after 10 minutes and it's kind of a reminder that if you've
been talking a while it's a smart thing to stay legal and give your
sign. If one says "for ID" it will prompt and teach the other person
the reason you're doing it. Yes, they should know, but if you're 
talking while driving home from work it's easy to lose track of time
and if you happen to stay keyed up while the repeater does its thing
then you might miss it completely. Hearing the other person do it
and WHY is a good reminder.


 SD> - Using an amplifier to make a short-distance contact: The US rules
 SD> state that an amateur radio operator should use the minimum power
 SD> necessary to maintain a contact.  Sometimes, I wonder if these guys are
 SD> making up for other shortcomings in their life by doing this.

LOL - I admit I don't always think to power down my 50watt mobile rig,
but I might be talking to a repeater 60 miles away, and I'm always 
scanning repeaters as far as 100 miles away. Yes, I know I don't need
the power to 'listen.' I also don't think my 50w mobile is what you're
referring to either. ;-)




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