Late at night — like tonight — I spend a lot of time listening on the 75 meter band.
There are a couple of frequencies I enjoy listening to, and I gravitate between these. One of these I won't name, but it's a well-known one for its posts on QRZ.com.
This particular frequency has had a large group of regulars that met every night about midnight or later. Most of the guys are southerners or midwesterners.
I mention it because one of the most obnoxious, overbearing hams I've EVER heard is from 2-land. To hear him talk you would think he was a 30 year veteran of 75 meters. The truth is that he's a Johnny-come-later No-Code Tech who got his ticket 3 years ago. He got a vanity callsign while a Technician, and he upgraded to General in October 2004. He found his way to the 75-meter group a few months later.
He's not just obnoxious, but he's a self-centered jerk. He's chased every fad in the pursuit of hi-fi SSB audio, bigger signal, etc. When he comes on the air, he doesn't give a crap about the conversation or the other hams on the frequency. All he cares about is “how's this station sounding?”
He will literally poll EVERY ham on the frequency, seeking compliments on how great his audio is,, how loud he is, etc. I've heard him talk over the top of conversations simply because he wasn't interested in the discussion. He's rude as hell. And talk about self-centered — he changes the conversation from what it was to “all about me.”
And if you don't agree with him, heaven help you! You're labeled “a dumbass.” I've heard this guy intentionally hurt people's feelings, then try to play it off as if he were only joking. He brags about “running off DX” on 17 meters, telling South American's they don't qualify as DX and find another damned frequency.
He's really an insecure bully, a newbie who enjoys acting like he knows what the hell he's doing.
I've quit listening to this frequency simply because of this guy. It's amazing the number of hams who quit coming around, and I'm sure its largely because you can't have a civil conversation without Eric — oops! — busting in or otherwise being boorish.
Last night though one of this 2's best friends, as well as others on the frequency, attacked one of their own. A guy who has been in business for himself for years was telling them what he felt about the Democrats taking over Congress. The group on this frequency are blindingly loyal Dems, and they attacked this fellow. Not just giving him down the road, but really attacking him viciously. I don't blame him for being pissed. He's put all his gear on QTH for sale. Sad.