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
the magic of ham radio alive.
Speak
slowly and clearly, 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.
Transmit
ssb at less than 3KHz bandwidth.
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.
Limit
your conversation to only ham radio related topics.
Most hams welcome the opportunity to share and explore
other 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 less than three
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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