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G4EBT > WOEFUL 31.07.03 19:23l 185 Lines 8554 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 271233G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: VK packet "running on empty"?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<VE3MCH<W7NTF<GB7FCR
Sent: 030730/0826Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:7292 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:271233G4E
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : WOEFUL@WW
I've thought long and hard about this, and I'm sorry to write in these
terms, but I think it needs saying. I'm not trying to start an argument,
nor seeking to deflect justified criticism for my past contributions on
packet, or those of other UK amateurs.
Over the last decade I've put out more than 5,000 bulletins on more than
100 topics. On reflection, there are many I wouldn't have written, and too
many in which I'd have chosen my words more carefully, so as to not cause
offence. I guess I'm not alone in that.
For any that have caused offence, now might be a good time to say sorry.
(From April 2003, I've not put out bulls to ww - only to GBR, marked "Not
to VK please" as at least one UK sysop overrides the wishes of bulletin
originators).
The output of UK amateurs seen in VK isn't judged by VK standards, nor
is VK output viewed in the UK judged by UK standards. Thus a message
written by a UK amateur, if read and objected to by a VK would be dealt
with by the UK RA to UK standards, whereas had the same message been
written by a VK amateur, there would be no "come-back" on him.
There's no requirement under ACA regs for VK amateurs to "use only
reasonable language, and act in a courteous manner". Don't believe me?
Well don't take my word for it, read on:
Ernest Hocking, VK1LK, Federal President, WIA, September 2002 Report:
Quote:
"Not everything we hear on the air is polite. Of late, I have become aware
of a number of cases where amateurs appear to have operated in a way that
does not do credit to the amateur radio service. the current amateur radio
licence conditions have dropped the requirement to use only reasonable
language and to act in as courteous manner when on air".
"This situation has been forced upon the legislators due to the practical
difficulties of enforcing such a rule. However, as amateurs, I believe
that we should all endeavour to be polite to each other when on air - it
does not cost anything to behave well. Most of us do not comment on good
behaviour, but poor manners are always remembered".
End quote.
(http://www.wia.org.au/news/2002/press_20020919.html)
So, VK's can more or less say what they want, how they want, to whom they
want, as often as they want, using as many four letter words as they want.
And they do. But they should bear in mind a quote from a VK bull some
months ago:
"These people are interested in our country, and as ambassadors of this
great land, we have a responsibility to share information about it".
An admirable sentiment. Now might be a good time to reflect on it, and
to show yourselves, your country, and amateur radio, in a better light.
The same goes for the UK.
Althought it doesn't diminish responsibility for my own messages, in
putting into perspective messages which I and another UK amateur had
put onto the network, resulting in a complaint from VK amateurs to the
UK RA, I prepared a portfolio of bulls from VK amateurs, to illustrate
prevailing standards on packet, and passed it to the UK RA.
It made depressing reading, and bore none of the hallmarks for which I
guess VK's would wish to be noted, such as tolerance, respectability,
friendship, or any other epithets that come to mind.
I had thought that the downward slide in VK standards had reached its
terminal velocity when, on 21 July 2003, the "booster motors" kicked
in to drive it to new depths, in a bull to "Humour" entitled "Oz".
A joke? I don't think so. It was an utter disgrace - quite the most
shocking bull I've ever seen on the packet network. Racist, sexist,
homophobic, xenophobic, with allusions to incest levelled against
Tasmanians.
VK's have reproached myself and others for misplaced humour, (even for
putting a comma in the wrong place), so I'd thought that some VK's might
have roundly condemned that dreadful bull. Not a bit of it - a former WIA
State President repeated part of the text, including a six letter
obscenity, and said: "I thought it was extremely funny".
That no other VK's condemned that bull can only be seen as tacit approval.
Maybe this is another sport you beat us at? We're happy to concede defeat.
The only thing we seem to have in common is our language, and even then,
VK's bring into play four/six letter words on packet. It's evident that
our culture and values do not concur. I'm not sure if that's indicative
of Australia in general, or just a few VK's. We're here - you're there.
Another VK, (and former WIA State President), has, by my estimation, put
out 35 adversarial bulls in recent months, encompassing 15 amateurs, in
six countries, and three VK States. He's mercilessly pilloried one UK
amateur for use of lower case, calling him "ignorant and lazy", saying
"what's a matter with this bloke - he must have a skin like a rhinoceros".
Actually, he doesn't. He's a friend of mine - a mild-mannered, affable
sort of guy, who's slow to take offence, but has been very put out by
the harassment he's endured. If you don't like his stuff, don't read it.
He's given much to this hobby over three decades, has written several
magazine articles, several pages in the current RSGB callbook, and runs
an informative amateur radio website.
While certain VK's have a hang up about lower case, they have a propensity
to use UPPER CASE. I don't know about VK-land, but in the UK, that's
considered very bad manners indeed.
Another hapless amateur, for whom English isn't his first language, was
told, in a ww bull:
"By the way, you may not have seen my repeated suggestions regarding
spelling and the use of grammar in bulletins, hence my indications of
mistakes in your message". Quite how this is supposed to further the
cause of amateur radio or encourage participation in packet, I've no idea.
Interestingly, I noted a bull from a VK amateur, littered with grammatical
errors, with no less than 13 wrongly spelt words, attacking fellow VK's in
four VK States, which ended with crude humour about north/south VK.
The fact that it drew no criticism makes me wonder if a touch of
xenophobia is lurking in there somewhere. (VK's OK - UK not OK?).
Regrettable though it is, I've suggested that UK amateurs on packet should
put an end to this, not engage with vexatious VK amateurs, and consider
whether to even send bulls to ww at all. Many are receptive to that.
UK amateurs need to be aware that if they upset VK's, there's a real
probability - not a theoretical possibility, that VK's will report you
to the RA. Do you want yourself and the RA to be jerked around from
10,000 miles away by those who are in no place to judge you, and who
aren't themselves subject to regulation?
There's sufficient critical mass on UK packet for us to stand alone and
"pull up the drawbridge", which would be a shame, but we must distance
ourselves from this toxic culture which presently pervades packet like a
virus.
May I respectfully suggest that VK "elder statesmen", who've given much
to the hobby over many years, and have held high office in the WIA, should
be "guiding lights", and lead by example, as should sysops.
What's past is past, but we can influence the future. A good benchmark for
all of us to keep in mind is: Would we be happy for our wives, partners,
children, other people's children, friends, church leaders, the WIA, ACA,
RA, RSGB etc, to read what we've' written?
If not, then why tell the world?
Ernest Hocking calls for a "voluntary code of ethics" for VK. I've drafted
one for VK packet for his consideration, and I'll send it to him with my
portfolio of VK bulls, and copy it to the ACA - not as a complaint, nor
blame apportionment, but for him to reflect on whether or not there's a
close fit between VK packet, and the core values of the WIA.
This isn't what I passed the Radio Amateurs' Exam and 12 WPM Morse for,
nor what sysops provide the network for. People on packet need to decide
whether they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.
Carry on in the same old way, and the problem will solve itself.
This is sent with goodwill to all radio amateurs everywhere, with
apologies to the many VK and UK amateurs who have risen above
all this, and have maintained the highest traditions of the hobby.
Just remember guys, you can't shake hands with a clenched fist.
For me, it's "Game Over" on ww packet.
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
david@crofters89.freeserve.co.uk
Message timed: 08:56 on 2003-Jul-30
Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.70
(Registered).
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