Right, it happens on many activations. Maybe people ask because they remember “something with radio” from their youth but can’t tell the difference between amateur radio and CB. Nevertheless, it’s a good starting point for interesting conversations. Too bad, the guys from TV got it wrong
QSL, they confused height with prominence (and gave the wrong figures). I would have skipped that part as well. Too many details for everyday people. But all in all a nice little report.
This type of confusion happens with lots of hobbies that people know little about. In the UK there is a BBC TV comedy programme with a cult following called “The Detectorists”. Within the story line when the main two characters who are Detectorists meet bystanders when they are out detecting (Much like when SOTA activators meet bystanders), the bystanders say “Are you metal detectors?” to which the guys reply sternly “NO, WE ARE METAL DETECTORISTS”, which is guaranteed to get a laugh!
The same could be said of “Is it CB?” “NO WE ARE RADIO AMATEURS” would be the response!
When I’ve been asked the difference between CB and Amateur Radio after explaining I’m not doing CB but AR I simply say… “Can you hear me swearing or using profane language? If you can’t then it’s not CB.”
Oh, yes - I happened upon that little gem earlier in the year - a lot of fun!
Yes, I try that whenever I get the chance, and almost invariably, a minute into explaining the ham/CB differences, the bystanders’ eyes begin to cloud over, and they fail to comprehend anything beyond “no, it’s not CB…” Of course, it could just be me and my poor command of the German language…
Yes Rob - glad you have seen the programme. It’s good laugh for sure and is on the iPlayer - I only discovered it myself there last year. The Danebury Metal Detecting Club meetings are not that dissimilir to some Amateur Radio Club meeting in many ways!
