I don’t have a specific question. I’m not here to argue. I’m just tired.
I got involved in amateur radio, and ARES specifically, because I wanted to help my community in times of need. I still do. But what I’ve experienced on Groups.io reflects none of that. Threads that start with technical questions often spiral into condescension or ego-driven commentary. People get publicly shamed for asking the wrong way, or not knowing every detail. Others jump in just to flex their credentials and belittle.
I’ve spoken to folks locally who’ve muted these Groups.io boards, stopped participating, or walked away entirely. Not because they don’t care about amateur radio or ARES, but because the tone and behavior in this space is often toxic. Others stay silent out of fear that if they speak up, they’ll be treated with the same disrespect they’ve seen directed at others. And honestly, I get it.
What makes it worse is that no one is speaking up. Not leadership, not seasoned operators, not the people who should know better. I specifically wanted to address this in a recent thread that was locked before I could get the chance, and while I don’t know who has the power to shut down engagement, I do know they haven’t addressed the underlying behavior. That kind of silence, combined with moderation that avoids accountability, doesn’t just allow the problem to continue; it reinforces it.
This kind of culture, right here on Groups.io, feeds the very narrative we should be fighting: that amateur radio is outdated, elitist, and not worth protecting. In the context of the FCC’s “Delete Delete Delete” docket, it’s not hard to imagine how the tone and behavior we normalize here, even in a closed forum, could contribute to the perception that amateur radio is fractured, unwelcoming, and no longer worth defending.
To be clear, my frustration isn’t with ARES as an organization, or with my local group. It’s with how discussions play out here on Groups.io. The hobby itself is an endless quest for knowledge. There are too many facets for any one person to know it all. That should be something we celebrate, not punish.
I’m not trying to stir the pot or make a scene. I’m not here to criticize ARES or anyone personally. But staying silent doesn’t sit right with me either. At some point, someone has to say what others are quietly thinking, even if it’s uncomfortable.
I still believe in the value of this service. But if we can’t even talk to each other with basic decency, I don’t know what’s left.
Ron Estes
KJ5EFO
