STM/Chris: I did not read the entire 16+ year old thread. That rhetoric has been going on since the advent of the 40 channel PLL's hit the market. I did before I got my ticket "dabble" there in the mid/late 70's. I traveled about 70K+ miles a year. The ability to get away from the
endless garbage below channel 35 in those years, was welcome and the Sun cycle permitted pretty much "worldwide" communication at will. Once I got my ticket in 1979, 10 meter operation was much more pleasant and effective with just a barefoot 25 watt radio and good antenna system, you could easily chat with op's for 15+ minutes or more.
Having a real conversation!
That 10/15/40 meter operation did not consist of yelling for 5 minutes and then waiting to see if someone called through the garbage with your number or handle.
Not a contact in my book!
Home station with 100 watts and dipole(s) from 3rd floor balcony apartment in Iowa was a dream machine. So the allure of the freeband soon fell to licensed operation only.
I could care less if they did or did not operate there and came to the Amatuer bands. Though many times the "jargon" was a dead giveaway in some cases. What many "thought" was good operating there (freeband) was pretty much "lid" grade on the 10 meter band. Same thing came along I think around 1984 when Tech and Novices acquired 10 meter SSB privilege's.
I never did nor will hold the so called grudge to those that came from whatever route got them to Amatuer Radio.
I have now been a Amatuer operator for over 50 years. (EGAD!)
I do find it interesting that some seem to always "bash" us Amateur's for having "bad" attitudes. I wonder if sometimes
"some" of those may need to "look' in the mirror and see "whom" the real attitude comes from.
I know it did happen to some, sorry to say, but guess I had good Elmer's and meet many operator's that were always willing to be of "good" nature to help the "newbie's" along their way.
I can count on less than both hands the number of "bad attitude" Amateur's I have come across, that were truly "Jerks" in the 50+ years I have been on the air.
I need not say more.
Follow the rules, respect those that have come before you and have knowledge greater than I, has always made Amatuer Radio enjoyable and pleasant even after 50+ years.
How many can say that about
any "hobby" that endures that long?
All the Best
Gary