"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAM AND CB...."
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I've pondered on this over the years, as the ageless battle continues, wondering what the heck are we arguing about? Is this just like the movie "Highlander"?? ('There can only be one')
After all, we all like to talk on the radio, make new contacts and friends, and as I've often said, "If you take away the HAM and CB masks, what are you left with? Just plain 'ol 'Radio Operators'"
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The conflict reminds me of a Star Trek episode (original series)"Let that be your last battlefield", and I'm sure you remember that one (2 guys are all that's left from their planet, each have their faces half white and half black, just opposite sides. And even though everyone else is dead....the grudge lives on). And the HAM vs. CBer grudge seems to be similar (no end in sight, no bonding (after all, if both groups joined together we could get alot more done as far as changing regulations, and some rules really NEED to change. As we all know, everything changes and we have to deal with that - but apparently the FCC can't see the trees for the forest).
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So if I had to try to explain the biggest difference between the two I guess I'd use the analogy of a company that has an enforced dress code during the week, with the exception of "Casual Friday"...thus Ham Radio = enforced dress code while CB would be "Casual Friday". I've picked this example because why else are there so many Hams on 11meters?? Perhaps because they don't have to worry about watching the clock to ID, because they don't have to worry about some other Ham listening to them, waiting to snitch to the FCC about some minor infraction, and the biggest reason (and I've been told this by many Hams) because they can take off their shoes, kick back, and RELAX.
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Yes, I know that this is an over simplification but once again, regardless of differences it boils down to both groups sharing the tag "Radio Operators". I am both a Ham Operator and a CBer and I like both hobbies - each has something to offer. As far as complaints about language, lack of respect, hogging a frequency, or be-littling another operator, under a "Blind Taste Test" you'd find examples both on 11m and Amateur Radio.
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And then there is the double-standard: Ham Operators ragging on 11m operators about using HAM gear. Where do they think they got it? My picks -
- Hamfests
- Ebay
There aren't enough Amateur Radio Operators around to purchase used gear, and if a HAM wants the newest rig, he's going to sell it to the first guy who pulls out the cash - no questions asked. If it weren't for the 11m guys wanting a better rig, they'd be stuck with what they have, the new radio wouldn't be purchased, sales would be down...it's all part of the 2-way radio "food chain".
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I can find radio savvy people on Ham Radio and CB Radio, just as easy as I can find non-savvy people on Ham Radio and CB.....so, next time you hear one or the other on a verbal attack, think about that Star Trek episode, and think about what I've just said and maybe we can all learn to live together without all of the pettiness.
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FROM THE MAILBOX
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Dave H. writes in with another theory re:Line Noise
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"I've also noticed an increase in power line or otherwise generated electrical noise. It even bothers me on 6 meter FM to some degree. It would be all too easy to succumb to the BPL or other governmental conspiracy theory, but my rational side seems to dispute that explanation. I do have a theory as to why this is happening though. I believe that it's a combination of old electrical power infrastructure (Some of the lines have been there for over 50 years), which is breaking down to some degree. It's also tight budgets which discourage routine maintenance of said aging lines. We've also had some stronger than normal wind storms and other severe weather in recent times which "shake up" the lines and create little "Spark gap" transmitters. There are also many more electronic gadgets in use today, which radiate some form of RF, including computer and internet stuff, satellite dishes, X-10 and other electrical control modules, dimmers and other power line devices. But whatever the case, it is a big pain when you are straining to pull out what should normally be a perfectly copyable signal, due to high electrical noise."
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[Woody Replies: As always, thanks Dave for shooting an E-mail my way...always enjoy your thoughts and opinions!]
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'Nuff Said
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