The Ham Operator's Credo
I will learn to Listen - and
Listen to Learn
- I
must remember that hearing is a gift, while listening is learned.
- I
will always rank listening as paramount in all I do in Amateur Radio.
- I
will always abide by the "TLS" rule: Think, Listen, Speak.
- I
will develop and depend on my natural listening abilities.
- I
will listen in order to learn correct procedure and protocol.
- I
will take notice of the topic and protocol before jumping into a net.
- I
will always remember: the bands are never dead for the expert listener.
I Will Master Protocol and Procedure
- Mastering
on-the-air the protocol will take precedent over equipment operation.
- Prosigns,
Q signals, phonetics and abbreviations will be my second language.
- I
will learn the basics of traffic handling, net operation, and emergencies.
I Will Respect Mother Nature's
Role
- I
will study the pivotal roles the ionosphere and propagation play in radio.
- I
will learn how weather, time of day, location, time of year affects radio
signals.
- I
will learn the meanings of bandwidth, beamwidth, ground effect, aurora, scatter,
ducting, skip, MUF, solar flux, and E-layers.
I Will Appreciate My Ability
to Compromise
- I
hold that compromise and resourcefulness are Ham traditions.
- I
will remember that "making-do" can often be the easiest route to
operating.
- I
will always remember that being on the air is the true spirit of Hamming.
I Will Share What I Learn
- I
will commit to self-study of Amateur Radio - from technology to protocol.
- I
will openly share the knowledge I gain with anyone who is interested.
These
things I hold to be true for all radio amateurs - now and in the future - "A
Grateful Operator" via WorldRadio News.
From Hamfesters
Radio Club, Chicago. [www.hamfesters.org]