Chuck Gertulla W7CRG
When I was in the Army we had the phrase “We fight as we train”. Thus we emphasized to make training and practice as real as possible and yet keeping it as safe as possible. Just as our muscles have “memory” that allows them to perform the same task with the same speed and accuracy each time we put them to the task; so does our brain function. Remember learning the “times tables” in the 4th or 5th grade? Even today, many years later, the answer immediately comes to mind. OK, I’ll admit that lately I may be fudging a little on the “immediately comes to mind” part of that.
But the things that were repeatedly beat into my psyche by my parents are still very strong in me today. I always walk on the traffic side of the sidewalk when walking on the sidewalk with a woman. I open doors for others. I feel guilty when I use certain words. My brain repeats the mantra “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all” (my brain also ignores certain cautions and I usually pay for ignoring). I respect my elders but I have found that I am now one of those “elders” so it can be confusing.
Without beating this to death, the phrase practice makes perfect has a lot of truthiness to it.
As stated I think hams could practice better operating skills. I know I sure can use improvement. The first thing that comes to mind is the phonetic alphabet. It was created to meet a number of criteria. The words should easily be recognized and should not conflict with international languages. The word should be short. The word should be easily pronounced by users of all languages. For instance, if the suffix of your call sign is “ILC”, identifying as “I Like Chevrolets” might be cute and indicate your vehicle preference but it is neither short nor easily pronounced by all languages. “India Lima Charlie” is recognized, pronounceable in most languages and short.
The Phonetic Alphabet is also created so during poor band conditions an operator might not clearly hear the entire phonetic but will be able to determine the proper letter as “Lima” after hearing only “ima”. That doesn’t work with “Bacon Lettuce and Tomato” or “Itseey Bitsee Teenyweeny” call sign suffixes I have heard on the air.
I never realized how many amateurs were named Roger. I hear “roger Roger all the time. So there must be a lot of hams named Roger. I understand that some things are old habits and combined with a desire to have a longer response but which takes longer to say, “Yes” or “QSL”? I also understand that QSL can mean “I acknowledge receipt”. These Q codes were meant to speed up and shorten CW contacts and have slipped over to phone use but why say “Hi Hi” when the actual sound of laughter will carry over the airwaves?
We have some phrases and phrasing that has been with amateur radio since its very early years and are still in use throughout the ham community. I never thought much about using “YL” and “XYL” until one of the female class members commented that she didn’t think of herself as a “Young Lady” and that these terms were archaic and come from an age that she does not identify with. I didn’t have a good response for her. The ham community is predominately male and older. Most of us have never thought about time and phrasing evolving. If we want new members we might adjust to the times … says the guy who still uses tubes in some of his radios.
I’ve realized that to some the weather bone is connected to the amateur bone. (I had to really concentrate not to write ham bone there) One operator in a round table wanted to know why hams are so interested in the weather at each others location. As one of the hams replied “the weather gives me a subject that is not controversial and somewhat universal to start my conversation with another operator. I can then easily transition to other more meaningful topics like radios, antennas and SWR. But everybody has weather. Not everybody has digital or uses CW or is knowledgeable on a multitude of other ham topics. Weather is a safe opener.”
I realize this blog will not change many, if any, operators. I hope I have not insulted any of my friends as the intent was to get readers to think about some of their on-the-air habits. QSL? Hi Hi Hi!
Have a good beginning of the year. Let’s work to make it the year of the Ham!! Pick up that microphone and get on the air!
Chuck Gerttula W7CRG, 73.
