Got caught in a NET today.

[WSAA635]

I was checking repeaters today to see which ones I could hit and got into a repeater net gathering. The controller was a nice guy and very welcoming. There was a few of us on and we played a game of "Appliance Operator or HAM?" where we were given a scenario and ask if it was something an Appliance Operator would do or a HAM.

Anyway, that was my first contact on HAM and it was fun. Just wanted to share with ya'll.

[Davichko5650]

12 hours ago, WSAA635 said:

 "Appliance Operator or HAM?" where we were given a scenario and ask if it was something an Appliance Operator would do or a HAM.

 

Examples?  Many Amateur Operators are what can be called "Appliance Operators" They know how things work, especially radios, but not why they work.

Enjoy the world of Amateur Radio, it's been a fun ride for me since '92 although my work with two way radios goes back into the mid 70's. Every contact you make can bring you new things!

[TrikeRadio]

That's cool that you had a fun experience on that net.
I love that radio can bring people together for fun - people who would otherwise never meet. 

And just for the record I do not (yet?) have a "HAM" license... before I say this... 

I understand the meaning of the term "Appliance Operator" - someone who knows how to use their radio but does not know how to build, fix or explain the inner workings of radio... fine

but I wonder if you can really say that someone licensed with an Amateur Radio License is either an Appliance Operator or a HAM.

it sounds like "yeah you have an Amateur Radio License but ... you are not really a HAM. which also feels very "Sad ham" to me.

But that is just me maybe. 

 

[WRXB215]

I'm sure there are sad hams that use the term "appliance operator" in a derogatory way but every time I've heard it so far has been a ham referring to himself.

[WSAA635]

Back in the day you had to build a lot of stuff to be an Amateur Radio Operator. Today the market is flooded with stuff so there's no longer a need to build stuff but you still need to know how to program it and what equipment is good and what's not so good.  As someone with an Electronic Technician Degree from DeVry(class of '83, LOL) I know how to build stuff If I needed too but why. I just spend a few bucks and get something that works right out of the box. No need to fiddle with things. 

[AdmiralCochrane]

I use it as a derogatory pejorative and mean it. I think most hams now are appliance operators that DO NOT know how radios and antennas work.  Those who really know are a shrinking minority.

[WRXB215]

5 hours ago, WSAA635 said:

I know how to build stuff If I needed too but why

Because it's fun. I haven't soldered in many years. Currently building a Cricket 20 and really enjoying it. Planning on buying a QCX-mini real soon.

[WRXB215]

@AdmiralCochrane I swear, if you make me pull out the dictionary one more time...

[SteveShannon]

5 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

I use it as a derogatory pejorative and mean it. I think most hams now are appliance operators that DO NOT know how radios and antennas work.  Those who really know are a shrinking minority.

Maybe you could suggest either tech questions to add to the General and Amateur Extra exams or possibly some hands on stuff that could be tested. 
Personally I enjoy building, troubleshooting, and fixing things but I know that most people don’t anymore.