I have always believed that amateur radio should be a thing to be proud off. A place where people can communicate with others in such a manner as not to offend other people, Relegions and their Believes,Cultures and the way in which they live their lifes.

Behind this understanding there is a system of etiquette which if followed correctly will guide amateur radio operators through how they should behave to others whom they should communicate with in this hobby.

The system in place tells operators where they should use different modes such as FM or SSB or even digital modes such as BPSK 31, and packet radio. Operating power and other such information.

In amateur radio I have found that there are 3 categories of operators. There are what I would call the "Old Pro's" these are the people that have studied for years to get there licence and to earn a city and guilds certificate for their endevours. These are the people who have the knack or the knowlede to follow the rules and regs to a "Tee".

I for one am encouraged by their efforts.

The second category are what I would call the "tri-ers". This is where I would put myself. Well a tri-er is a person whom tries to adhere to the rules and regs to the best of their abillities but has no formal qualification such as city and guilds or the expeirience of the "Old Pro's" however, apart from that and maybe the odd mistake along the way try to learn and improve themselves as best they can.

The third category are what I would call the "Pretenders" these people are as the description implies. These are the people that are not bothered to learn and won't make the effort to comply with the rules and regs of their licence conditions and have a self understanding that they are right and everyone else is wrong. regardless of the knowledge and expeirience of others. They will not take honest criticism but instead will try to put down the people whom are trying to help.

These people are the bullies of amateur radio and as such and by their own actions are normally followed by others whom delight in what they presumably call pay back. This is done by mic keying, music playing and other methods. Whilst my friends and myself do not agree with this. We can and have an understanding as to why these people feel the need to retaliate in this manner.

The reason for that is that my friends and myself have and are still being harrassed and bullied by "Pretenders" in and around my area of Barnsley, because of the doings of others that we do not know. For the record we do not mic key, play music, and try to jam others transmissions. But yet time and time again we are being blamed, no names are mentioned but silly comments such as "House daddies" and "one of the idiot's".  I for one am proud to look after the house I live in and my children. What father would not. I am also far from an idiot.

Some of these people have spoken about relegion in the most vulger of tones and show no remorse for the people they offend. Advertising and the passing of sales information being the norm. Even using language that could be percieved as being of a threatening nature. This is the normal for a certain frequency. This frequency is 145.425 and this group are mostly in Hoyland, near Sheffield. If you listen long enough you will see what I am saying is true.

Now I am no angel and I voice my opinion when I believe something is wrong. I even know some of the operators and some are nice enough people. The main problem is that a certain individual seems to take pleasure in stirring up trouble and getting the others going. Then to back out when his work is done. This person on his own without an audiance is nothing more than a sad old man. It is a pity that they have not realized the damage this one individual has caused them and how it has tarnished the frequency. I am actually quite concerned for one of them as his health is not at a premium.

The false presumptions need to stop. you do not stop mic keyers and music players by baiting and calling them names. neither should you presume that you know who it is and then insult your own intelligence by blaming innocent parties.  The way to stop mic keyer's and such is to carry on your conversation as best you can and ignore the keyer's or to do something else. If you play games with them they will play back. for god sake just ignore them.

Nature has a nasty way of biting you in the bum when you least expect it.