Hollingsworth at Dayton

[wa4gch]

Riley Hollingsworth Spoke at the Dayton Hamvention ..........

When Hollingsworth stepped up to the podium, he spoke about what he called "the magic of radio," saying, "we need to realize the debt we owe to those who work so hard to further the goals of Amateur Radio, whether it's the Emergency Communications participants, club members, teachers, VEs, the League. One of the richest rewards in doing something is to experience joy in doing it. And with so many people working so hard on their own time to further the goals of Amateur Radio, we're all a little more free to enjoy radio and to make it fun as well as a public service."

Saying that "things have calmed down a lot in the Amateur Radio Service," Hollingsworth explained, "[that] when it comes to the Amateur Radio Service, there's one enforcement tool we need very badly and we just don't have it -- and that's straitjackets," he deadpanned, eliciting guffaws from the crowd of more than 150 people. "Some days I want to ask, 'Why can't everybody just get along?'"

Hollingsworth noted that since the 75 and 80 meter phone band has been expanded, "a lot of these regular small groups, ragchews and some of the Nets should consider "spreading out, because a lot of the regular operations every night are clumped together. Yes, there are still interference issues and interference allegations, but if everybody would spread out a little bit, now, it's going to take a real change of habit by a group that has used the same frequency for 40 years to talk across the state, but you really need to spread out and take advantage [of the band] expansion."

He also noted that interest in Morse code "seems to be higher than ever before." On the enforcement side, Hollingsworth said he has noticed "no difference in enforcement problems related to no-code, and I think I'm seeing more young people at events that I go to." He reminded forumites that only 1 percent of Amateur Radio licensees filed comments in the Morse code Proceeding. "I see the new code keys for sale here, and I always see a big crowd of people around anything related to code or code keyers. I think the interest has really peaked."

Hollingsworth pointed out a 12 year old boy who sat in the front row. When asked, the boy responded he received his license three years ago when he was 9. "The future President of the League might be sitting right there," Hollingsworth explained, pointing at the boy. "That's our future, right there, and we're depending on you. We need a lot more young people and I think that Morse code seems to interest young people -- hopefully they're getting tired of instant messengers and the Internet. Last night someone told me about a 14 year old Net Control Operator on a national Net."

Calling for "more courtesy" on the Amateur Radio bands, Hollingsworth said, "This fighting amongst yourselves is the worst thing that you can do. You have some rude operators and operators who don't care and who are hateful and bitter about life in general, but every group has that, whether it's doctors, electricians, lawyers, plumbers, whatever, every group has a certain percentage of people like that. What you have to do is to remind yourself every day to stay on the high road and report to us if you can't resolve a problem after you've given it a chance to go away. There are plenty of ugly situations in the world and you don't have to add to them. Now, there are a few idiots in your Service who know all the answers, only because they haven't thought of all the questions. They just want recognition and reaction. Don't give it to them. Don't be baited. Don't feel insulted -- they are their own worst punishment. Don't dignify them with a response."

Hollingsworth implored the audience to "never let the Commission get by again with handing you 10 to 12 years of neglect. You have to stay vigilant. Even though the bands may sound better to you, you have to be vigilant to protect your Service, and be part of the solution -- not the problem -- and operate as if the whole world is listening, because generally it is."