One thing that bothers me when I hear “good” ham radio operators holding a QSO on the Green Bay, WI repeaters or the Appleton, WI repeaters or the Milwaukee, WI repeaters – wherever – are the guys that purposely defeat the time-out timer. You will hear “break for reset” during the long conversation. Many experienced hams will tell you that this is just good operating technique. I don’t agree – not at all. Why?

Here’s why. First of all, someone or some group owns the repeater. It’s NOT public property. And it certainly is NOT our own private property. Many repeaters, if not all, have the option to set a time limit on transmissions. One reason for the timeout limit is because of heating considerations. When radios transmit at full power for extended periods of time, they heat up. That heat can eventually damage the radio’s electrical components. So the repeater owner(s) set timeout limits. It is a way of protecting the radio. And it is an automated rule.

Why should we obey rules? One reason is basic respect. We should appreciate that we are ALLOWED to use this person or group’s equipment. Part of that appreciation is to use it in the manner they prescribe. AND – if we don’t like the rules they set, then we should work THROUGH THE SYSTEM to see why the rules exist and if they can be changed. THAT would be good ham radio operating practice. We should not find ways around the rules and just do whatever we darn well please!

I wish that repeaters had the ability to be disabled for a time with only a message being played at key-up time. That message would say, “This repeater has been disabled for x amount of time because people will not abide by the system enforced timeout times.” What would be the effect? I am sure that people would very quickly be FURIOUS!

Now – am I one of those guys that ignores the speed limit – believing that it is dangerous to NOT speed when everyone else is doing it? Nope… again…. Basic respect for rules…

Stay Radio Active!

Jon Kreski, AB9NN
http://www.HamRadioResources.com


 


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