If you are new to Amateur Radio, or have been in it for awhile, you may see and hear things that may be different from other radio systems. If you've ever operated on, or listened to, Public Safety (Fire, Police, Rescue, Ambulance, etc.) Radio systems you will see that Amateur Radio is a more relaxed form of communications. If you have operated on the Citizens Radio Service, or better known as Citizens Band or CB, you will see that Amateur Radio is a more structured form of communications. Public Safety type communications are short and to the point. If you have operated the Citizens Radio Service communications you will notice the language on Amateur Radio is a lot cleaner and more civil. You have worked hard to get your Amateur Radio license, and you should be proud of it. When operating on Amateur Radio, leave the Citizens Radio Service language on those channels and don't bring it to Amateur Radio. Lately I've been hearing tales of Amateurs, both new and old, who have been letting their language get a little colorful and subjects that shouldn't be discussed on Amateur Radio. You may not be thinking about it, but some people in the general public, who have scanners might be listening to your conversations, and they will get a picture of Amateur Radio, and its operators, from those conversations. It doesn't make any difference whether you are operating on simplex or a repeater; you are being heard by a lot of people. If you've been around Amateur Radio for awhile, and have the communications procedures and language down pat, help the new Amateurs get started off on the right foot, and explain to those who have been on for a short period of time, that they are operating on Amateur Radio, and they should keep their conversations civil and clean. The FCC leaves the policing of our frequencies up to us, and if they have to step in, someone may lose their license. If you don't feel comfortable passing this information on, let someone else know so that any problems can be taken care of. This bulletin is for general broadcast to the Amateur Radio community, and not intended for any particular repeater or frequency. This bulletin should be read on all nets, both simplex and repeater.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV;
ARES Assistant Section Coordinator WV
ARES District Emergency Coordinator WV DISTRICT 3