I don’t know if the American Chopper guys have amateur radio licenses, but if they did here are some arguments they might have. The first appeared on the amateur radio subreddit.
For an explanation of the meme, go to “The American Chopper meme, explained.”
Pete says
I honestly never thought ham topics as RAGE worthy!
Steve W8SFC says
Great tutorial on how not to be a ham! I used to watch that show and this could have been actual dialog. Why is dysfunction so entertaining? I found it to be a bit much after a while, but I think the shock value of people behaving badly attracts some viewers sort of like train wrecks…
It’s too bad that ham radio does not have more of a public awareness threshold; when I tell my relatives I am an amateur radio operator and what I do using my equipment in public service I get a lot of positive feedback along with the questions of why they never heard about any of this going on. Perhaps if the ARRL had a focus on public involvement and awareness we would have more people show an interest in the hobby.
Ryan says
ARRL should be focusing on the hobby rather than Emergency Communications. Our licenses have increased, but ONLY for the Tech license. You said the key word on what Ham Radio is about. HOBBY. Our radios are not for public service. Public Service radios, per the FCC, must be part 90 compliant. Ham Radio equipment has no such requirements. Hams should not be involved in Public Service unless asked to be there in case their radios fail. We shouldn’t be there to augment their operations, but be there as a backup. The ARRL should be focusing on the hobby. The hobby is NOT public service. Part 97.1 b, says it all. Continuation and extension of the amateur’s proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. That’s what the ARRL should be focusing on. Not making the public aware that we sometimes help out during an emergency. If you look at Part 97, you will see the words Emergency communications mentioned once. But the definition of the hobby mentioned multiple times. Part 97.1 c, (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
That’s the issue. Hams now days think they are some sort of super hero or some master of Public Service. They go to great lengths modifying their vehicles with pretty flashy yellow and white flashers. They thump their chest acting like they make a huge difference. And then want the public to notice? That’s the problem. We are supposed to be a hobby first and foremost. That means trying new things. Playing with our electronic and radio gear. Emergency Communications should be the last thing on our mind, until something happens. But most ARES groups and EMCOM centers now want you to sign up, learn their methods, get background checks…etc. That’s where the ARRL and Hams should draw the line.
The hobby should be enticing people to sign up to learn electronics, radios, communications, and focusing on that. If people are not interested in that but only interested in Public Service, then they should go down and become a firefighter, SAR member, Police Officer. We shouldn’t be in the hobby for the glory. We should be in it for the advancement of the art of electronics and the art of radio communications. Says so right in the rules. If you are not in it for that, then you fail to grasp why we are important during an emergency and why we are called upon.
Curt, K8AI says
Love it!