Do
Always
be polite regardless of the circumstances. If not, avoid
transmitting.
Set a good
example especially for short wave listeners who may be thinking about
becoming a ham.
Be a good
listener. It will help you better organize your thoughts before transmitting.
Reply to a CQ, or call CQ
yourself. It helps keep alive the magic of ham
radio.
Speak clearly
and slowly, especially when giving your call sign to someone you have
never worked before.
Promote
friendship and goodwill to DX contacts. Look for ways to get to
know each other rather than simply exchanging signal reports and 73s!
Try to keep
track of everyone in the QSO. Hopefully someone has assumed the
role of "traffic director" to make sure everyone has a chance to
contribute to the discussion. If not, don't hesitate to do it
yourself.
Make it clear at
the end of each transmission which station is expected to transmit next.
Try to do this even when operating VOX.
Operate on
frequencies that are in whole KHz (e.g. 18.130 Khz). This alleviates
ambiguity and makes it easier for everyone to be on the same frequency.
Openly praise
other hams when you observe them doing something that you feel is
especially deserving. e.g., helping demonstrate ham radio to a group of scouts.
Always be ready
to quickly and calmly respond to emergency situations. Rehearse
what you would do if presented with various scenarios.
Pause between transmissions. "Quick keying" gives the appearance that
other hams are unwelcome in your QSO.
Consider using
the Internet to enrich your QSO. Many hams have developed their
own comprehensive websites which you can usually find through QRZ.COM.
Respect the
privileges of hams operating in other modes on the HF bands including
those who enjoy AM.
Make a point to
try 17 and 60 meters. Good operating practices are
especially prevalent on these bands.
Look for
opportunities to "Elmer" newly licensed hams when you hear them on the
HF bands. Welcome them, solicit their questions and
give them pointers on good operating practices.
Remember
that no one country can proclaim to be the leader of the Amateur Radio
world. Likewise, no one country's foreign policy is any more
right or wrong than that of another country.
Develop
good operating practices. You will be doing your part in helping
insure the continuance of our long and proud tradition of
self-regulation.
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Don't
Act like some
sort of Broadcast Radio station. Your fellow Amateurs will most
likely not appreciate such a blatant display of personal ego.
Acknowledge the
presence of deliberate interference. After all, that's most likely
the
overall objective of the person doing the interfering.
Be excessively
long winded especially when in a round-table discussion and during times
when band conditions are changing.
Just talk about
ham radio. Most hams have many more
interests.
Operate when you
are in a bad mood. You will be that much more vulnerable to
losing your temper.
Overuse Q-codes
and other ham jargon on the phone bands.
Claim or
homestead any particular frequency for nets, schedules, etc. If
your designated frequency is already in use, simply move up or down as
necessary.
Transmit before
first determining that the frequency is clear. This includes
transmitting within 3Khz of other known QSOs.
Break into an
ongoing QSO unless you can hear the majority of the participants.
Ignore someone
new to a round table QSO. We should all do our part to make
everyone feel welcome. Avoid making the discussion appear
exclusive to your particular circle of friends.
Test your
transmitter
over the air. It is far better to use a dummy load.
Cough, sneeze or
clear your throat into your microphone.
Operate VOX
except when in a QSO with three or less participants. It tends to
foster "quick keying" which may give the
appearance that you don't welcome breakers.
Become a "Band
Policeman" quick to tell others what you feel they are doing wrong.
In instances where it may be called for, always be polite and
constructive.
Turn
up your microphone gain or resort to excessive speech processing in
order to be heard. Such practices will most likely result in
diminished audio quality and increased likelihood of interference to
nearby QSOs.
Use the word
"break" when wanting to join an on-going QSO. Simply give
your call sign between transmissions and reserve the use of the word "break"
for more urgent situations.
Join
an ongoing QSO unless you have something to contribute to the
discussion. It is especially rude to interrupt other hams
with a request for audio checks, signal reports, etc.
Operate in any
fashion that is not in keeping with good amateur practice. Be
certain to always comply with the provisions of Part 97 of the rules.
Knowingly
interfere with an ongoing QSO just because you are working DX, especially
split frequency.
Say
that the frequency "is not" in use when you hear someone inquire.
Refrain from responding at all unless you know for certain that the
frequency or one nearby "is" in use.
Ridicule other
hams or express any negative views of the overall state of Amateur
Radio. If you don't have something positive and constructive to
say, avoid saying anything at all.
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