The hearth of the ham spirit began to beat in 1928 when Paul M.Segal, W9EEA, suggested, to reinforce the ham community, to publish a code of ethic that the amateur radio should be pride to respect. His moral code was soon printed in the introduction page of the "ARRL Handbook for the Radio Amateur", and states that an amateur radio is :
Considerate
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...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
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Loyal
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...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and his or her national radio amateur association.
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Progressive
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...with knowkedge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.
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Friendly
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...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interest of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
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Balanced
Patriotic
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...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community.
...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.
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If this code of ethic is always in application, since the late of the years 1970s and the fast growing of many new technologies (repeaters, computers, space communications, packet, clusters, etc) there are too many situations where the ham spirit is debased. Many young amateur radio operators lack of consideration for the other OM, some OT refuse or almost to make QSO if you do not count among their "friends" while on weekends or during pile-ups many operators lack of patience and use coarse words on the air. It is great time to come back to origins of the ham spirit if we don't want to loose all the interest of this activity ! Hopefully, some amateurs more diplomatic than others, radio clubs and ham magazines try to inculcate the principle of the ham spirit and the "Art of radio" to the newbies. The baton is in good hands.
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