HAM radio courtesy

[makgirl]

When the weather is bad, I wish people would stay off the radio with their stupid "chit chat."  It is REALLY frustrating to listen to someone telling you what exit they are taking at that moment or what they are having for dinner when there are severe road traffic problems to be communicated.  Even when you "break" they go right back to the innane chit chat.    It is always people that should know better.   When someone says, "break" and communicates an emergency, STAY OFF THE FREQUENCY!

[CNMmom]

Yup...drives me nuts too.

[Elk]

I like to call it the "High Desert pothole, mud puddle and road report".

[ChattyCathy]

I was even surprised during the power outage how many people were using the radio for chitchat, even knowing there was an emergency going on. 

[Wrightwood]

At times it is difficult on a high profile repeater such as Table Mountain.

The problem is that too many people are in a habit of coming onto a repeater and immediately calling someone without listening for a few minutes.

If you're in a situation that you need the repeater for priority or emergency radio traffic speak up as soon as you start transmitting on the repeater. Make a quick announcement that you'd like the repeater kept clear for priority traffic that's taking place. (or emergency traffic if it's warranted)