Thoughts on the culture of amateur radio — from someone who hasn’t always got it right himself.
Amateur radio thrives on diversity: tinkerers, contesters, DXers, outdoor operators, SOTA activators — and yes, eccentrics too. Some sing on the frequency. Some tell stories. Some might “annoy” someone else. But as long as nobody deliberately interferes or insults — that’s simply amateur radio. Always has been.
Let me start with myself
I’m not writing this from a high horse. I’ve messed up myself. I used AI-generated songs to take the mickey out of people who, in my opinion, pushed themselves too much into the spotlight. It was creative. It was funny too. But it was also hurtful towards specific individuals. That had consequences. I own it.
I say what I think. That’s not always comfortable — not even for me. But I’d rather be honest and uncomfortable than polite and fake.
That’s exactly why I’m writing this post. Not because I know better. But because I know how quickly these things escalate and what they do to a community.
Being different is not an offence
Imagine: A long-standing member of a community stands out with an unusual transmission. A bit loud, a bit quirky, a bit nostalgic. No rule violation, no insult, no interference. Just different.
What do you do? A quick private conversation. A friendly word at the club meeting. Done.
What don’t you do? A message to the entire group — with a recording and a name attached. That’s not transparency. That’s public shaming. Even if it’s wrapped up politely.
Leadership doesn’t mean playing sheriff
Whoever takes on responsibility in a group is a moderator. Not a judge. Good leadership means: Talk first. Stay proportionate. Encourage diversity. And lead by example — in tone and in conduct.
Public shaming creates factions. It damages trust. And in the end, it reveals more about the sender than about the person targeted.
What this is really about
A community where quirks are tolerated. Where conflicts are resolved directly and respectfully — not via group messages. Where leadership moderates rather than exposes. And where the person behind the callsign matters.
None of us is perfect on the air. Least of all me. But that’s precisely why we should look out for each other instead of going after each other.
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”
Stephen Covey
73 de OE8YML