Technology, Innovation & Telecomm

I put a small notice about the ARF site on a forum of a well-known Amateur Radio Web site. It was merely something to get folks looking at what’s coming. Hams are known for their technical interests and generally helpful attitudes. Our hobby has a reputation for encouraging other Hams, encouraging experimentation, electronics, etc.

So, I was surprised by two of the comments that were posted in the forum in response to my notice. They were extremely negative and in fact rude. Worse, the arguments they put out make no sense to me, given the advantages ARF offers. Also, neither one bothered to ask me any questions, asked me to clarify any points, or offered any advice at all.
Still, I do have to consider that the product idea could be a bad one. So it got me thinking…
…and the more I think about it, the more I think they’re wrong. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but I’ve gotten such good feedback from local Hams who’ve heard about ARF, used it and contributed ideas to its design, that I’m sure the two commenters have missed something in my description. However, it’s my fault if it isn’t clear how things work, so I guess I need to improve the site’s content.

One way or another, the site will improve and I hope along with that, so will people’s understanding of what ARF is and what it can do. That said, I’m still a little shocked at the responses. I realize that not everyone will like ARF, and it won’t fill everyone’s needs. And, I know that I’ll need to develop a thicker skin. But for goodness sake I hope that folks will at least try to be a little objective and respectful.
I want to continue to believe that Ham Radio is a hobby that has remained above the level of so many other activities, as it has been for so long. I’m in it because of the type of encouragement I’ve received from Hams over the years and to a large extent, my choice of profession was influenced by Hams. Here’s hoping this recent experience doesn’t represent the new “norm” for the hobby.

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