The Amateurs Code: What Happened

The Amateurs Code: What Happened?from K6VHP on April 15, 2004 View comments about this article!
First the Original:
The Amateur's Code -- 1928
ONE: The Amateur is considerate...He never knowingly uses the air in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
TWO: The Amateur is Loyal...He offers his loyalty, encouragement and support to his fellow radio amateurs, his local club and to the American Radio Relay League, through which amateur radio is represented.
THREE: The Amateur is Progressive...He keeps his station abreast of science. It is well built and efficient. His operating practice is above reproach.
FOUR: The Amateur is Friendly...Slow and patient sending when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others; these are the marks of the amateur spirit.
FIVE: The Amateur is Balanced...Radio is his hobby. He never allows it to interfere with any of the duties he owes to his home, his job, his school, or his community.
SIX: The Amateur is Patriotic...His knowledge and his station are always ready for the service of his country and his community.

Paul M. Segal, W9EEA
Now the updated version by K6VHP (try not to laugh or get angry!) 8-)
The Amateur's Code -- 2000
ONE: The Amateur is Gentlemanly...Never knowingly "keys up" in such a way as to impose on the pleasure of others...this part of the code does not apply to operations on 75, 40 or 20-meter phone bands.
TWO: The Amateur is Loyal...To Kenwood, until he buys an Icom, to Icom, until he buys a Yeasu, and so on. Goes to all club activities where they serve free food -- has no appreciation for Hiram Percy Maxim's contributions to amateur radio.
THREE: The Amateur is Progressive...Sets up his station just like the picture in the ad in the magazine. Has absolutely no idea how it's built, nor can he calculate how efficient it is. Has the telephone number for Factory Service Center taped to the front panel. Knows how to pronounce some technical words. Cannot, however, recite their true meaning.
FOUR: The Amateur is Friendly...Promotes operating practices he discovered while driving a dump truck and modulating on Channel 19. Provides counsel and advice to his fellow operators based upon whatever he overheard from others modulating on Channel 19. Prefers to concoct colorful metaphors for use in the place of socially accepted words when speaking into a microphone. Ends all spoken statements with the words "okay?" or "you know."
FIVE: The Amateur is Balanced...His wife and kids need shoes; his rent is past due; often arrives late to work, due to QSOing while mobile; and, probably has not registered to vote. But, he's got a $2,800.00 HF SSB transceiver in his ham shack, a "dual band" FM rig is his 4X4 pick-up truck, and a 2-meter HT on his belt. Spends several hours each day playing at ham radio.
SIX: The Amateur is Patriotic...Has no respect for authority (FCC) nor the traditions and disciplines that formed the foundation upon which amateur radio was built.
L. David Shallenberger, C.E.T. -- K6VHP
This doesn't apply to all of us, but hey, most of it sounds familiar, eh? 8-)