The "Isms" Dividing Ham Radio: Are We Our Own Worst Enemy?
Amateur radio is a deeply personal hobby. There are so many facets to being a ham. You can choose to tinker and build your own homebrew rigs, work QRP, chase DX, work satellites, brag about contest victories, or try your hand at SOTA and POTA.
There is, of course, one major factor that cross-cuts all these aspects: the mode. You can choose to do voice using SSB or AM on the HF bands, or FM on the VHF/UHF bands; you can pound brass on CW; or you can try wide-ranging digital modes, from the veteran RTTY to the more recent FT8 and FT4.
Nothing about these opportunities is mutually exclusive, and many amateur radio operators explore most of these options at some point in their journey. This à-la-carte buffet ensures there is no boredom, as there is always something different to try.
The Pitfalls of "In-Group" Thinking
It does pain me when I see online forums and even the airwaves filled with "in-group" and "out-group" thinking. There are purists who look down upon anyone who does not use a personally built rig, labeling them as mere "operators." I would prefer if they took pride in their own achievements rather than using them as a cudgel to put down other hams.
Then there are the "code" vs. "no-code" wars that never cease to elicit strong reactions from all sides. The removal of the CW code requirement for operator licenses seems to irk some of those who went through those rites of passage in the past. To them, it feels like a lowering of standards.
The code requirement was historically seen as a bulwark against the "CB riff-raff"—a way to keep them away from the pristine portions of the amateur bands. As an amateur radio operator who learned CW and finds great enjoyment in it, I understand the effort it takes to get proficient. I always have great respect for other amateurs who opt to do the same. I derive great pleasure from operating CW and wish more amateurs would give it a try. However, this pleasure is in no way diminished by others who enjoy being on the air in their own personal way, nor do I believe they are lesser hams.
The Polarizing World of FT8 and FT4
I dare not bring up FT8 or FT4 in any group of amateurs. Nothing divides the camps more than these weak-signal data modes. Even among those who love the mode, there is a rift between those who believe using high power is acceptable and those who do not. Then there is the fundamental debate about whether using computers makes it a true amateur radio pursuit.
I will grant you that these modes do not appeal to me personally, but I can certainly see the joy they bring to many amateurs with compromised antennas or the inability to run high-powered stations. From my interactions on local repeaters, I know of a senior amateur who gave up his favorite home and moved into a living arrangement with strict antenna restrictions. He is over 90 years old and regularly chimes in with excitement after making contacts through FT8.
A few other hams I know use a magnetic loop antenna inside their condos or have a hamstick out on the balcony just to enjoy being on the air. FT8 makes it possible for them. Objecting to it entirely discounts the technical intricacies that make FT8 possible in the first place.
Contesters: Spectrum Annoyance or Spectrum Protectors?
And finally, let's talk about contesters. Every time a major contest ends, the airwaves are filled with vitriol about how contesting is taking over the bands. This animus applies to POTA activities as well. Most critical opinions discount perfunctory exchanges with a standard signal report as going against the grain of amateur radio. Many comments also cite the "entitlement" of contesters.
I have been on the receiving end of this, where contesters muscle onto an active frequency. One moment all is fine and you're enjoying a QSO; the next moment, the contest starts and the airwaves explode with contesters calling CQ. Yes, busy contesting weekends can make the airwaves difficult to access for regular hams, which is especially pronounced on the voice portions of the band.
But I contrast this with the signal desert that symbolizes the airwaves during normal times. In this regard, contesters bring much-needed activity to the air. I believe that when the time comes to revisit amateur radio band allocations, the high utilization during contest periods will provide strong evidence to keep our current spectrum from diminishing.
Ultimately, amateur radio thrives because of its diversity, not in spite of it. Whether you are pounding brass on CW, chasing weak signals on FT8, or racking up contacts in a weekend contest, every operator plays a vital role in keeping our airwaves alive. Instead of building walls between our chosen modes, we should celebrate the fact that our spectrum has room enough for every kind of passion.
A-la-carte buffet with place for all
Ultimately, amateur radio thrives because of its diversity, not in spite of it. Whether you are pounding brass on CW, chasing weak signals on FT8, or racking up contacts in a weekend contest, every operator plays a vital role in keeping our airwaves alive. Instead of building walls between our chosen modes, we should celebrate the fact that our spectrum has room enough for every kind of passion.
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