This was sent to me by an old high school friend and I felt it was worth sharing as many of us fall into this category.
Some interesting facts about Amateur Radio
DX Code Of Conduct
I will listen, and listen, and then listen again before calling.
I will only call if I can copy the DX station properly.
I will not trust the DX cluster and will be sure of the DX station's call sign before calling.
I will not interfere with the DX station nor anyone calling and will never tune up on the DX frequency or in the QSX slot.
I will wait for the DX station to end a contact before I call.
I will always send my full call sign.
I will call and then listen for a reasonable interval. I will not call continuously.
I will not transmit when the DX operator calls another call sign, not mine.
I will not transmit when the DX operator queries a call sign not like mine.
I will not transmit when the DX station requests geographic areas other than mine.
When the DX operator calls me, I will not repeat my call sign unless I think he has copied it incorrectly.
I will be thankful if and when I do make a contact.
I will respect my fellow hams and conduct myself so as to earn their respect.
http://www.dx-code.org/
My message to the Today Show on NBC regarding a segment they aired about AFRS. Their segment discussed AFRS in today's military and the TV coverage it offers. My message discusses another aspect of AFRS:Just watched a segment you aired on the Today Show regarding AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Service) on your 12/29/04 broadcast.I know the original person who hatched the idea of broadcasting music and news to the forces at the beginning of W.W.II. He just celebrated his 89th birthday on 12/4/04 and still has a clear mind. His name is Claude B. Smith. He goes by the nickname of "CB". He is an amateur radio operator and his FCC call sign is W5FLA (SK). He can be located on line at www.QRZ.com. Enter his call sign for a call sign search and his information will be displayed. He does not own a computer and the e-mail address on that site is bogus. Besides, he is loosing his sight and can hardly see a TV. He lives in far west Texas, just west of Odessa, TX. His original Idea was to re-broadcast recorded music on Amateur frequencies. Which is illegal under FCC rules. He submitted a Chit (Military request form) making the original request through the chain of command. As he tells the story, they came back and said OK but only allowed him 50 watts of transmitting power. He said never-mind not enough power and forgot about it. The AFRS story picks up again weeks later with CB standing under a covered porch of a command building waiting for a ride out to the airstrip in Puerto Rico, where he was stationed. He was on his way to his next duty assignment. Up drives a jeep with a LT. Col. or Capt. in it who asked where he could find Corp. Smith. CB said, "You're looking at him, Sir." The Capt. repeated the Commands offer except this time he got 50,000 watts on a broadcast allocated frequency. He would be legal. The story goes on from there. CB got reasigned to work under the Capt. and AFRS was born in Puerto Rico. The military put a Lt. in charge, but CB ran the show. He was one of our silent heroes of W.W.II and his legacy lives on at AFRS. Thank you for reading this. (Jeff N5UJJ, NM)
I consider myself very fortunate to have known C. B., W5FLA, on the radio and was able to celebrate his 90th Birthday with him and about twenty or so of his Amateur Radio family with a BBQ in Amarillo! C.B. was loved by so many that we can from Iowa, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. He may be gone but will never be forgotten by the 7.195 crew. (Jim AB5SI)
Father of Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS)
The amateur's code, formulated in 1928