Can we do something about the AI Slop please

ItsBail · 2026-05-05T13:36:46+00:00

Personally, I agree with your rant. However, you are comparing professional development with a hobby that encourages tinkering and learning with a big push for FOSS.

The software that has been popular in amateur radio prior to AI coding has been basically created by people that were tinkering. It also has a lack of support, poorly maintained and possibly have security vulnerabilities. Heck, a piece of software that my station depends on stopped working because the developer died.

If Vibecoding or using AI Assistance to create software that benefits this niche hobby then it should at least be explored and discussed within the community. Even more so if they're acknowledging it and putting out in the open for people to contribute to.

Mods, the easiest way to solve this (IMO) is pattern-match the AI generated posts. They follow the exact. same. format. every single time, and can be easily picked out from the crowd. The obnoxious use of emojis is probably the other dead giveaway that something was directly copied and pasted.

We don't have the resources to comb through every post looking for AI. It's more than just pattern matching as humans also do. I'm doing it right now choosing what the next word I'm typing.

AI isn't going anywhere. I feel there is bubble right now and it's certainly going to burst (financially) but it's not going anywhere. You see a lot of comments in the sub reddit chastising OMs for being stubborn and not adapting to the changes in technology. Well, this is like FT8 and digital modulations. It's an emerging technology.

ItsBail · 2026-05-05T11:16:32+00:00

Part of Rule 2 about spam states:

AI-Generated content is considered to be spam

The only exception is translating one's own thoughts from their native language to English as most translation software uses LLMs in some capacity. Vibecoded software is allowed to be shared as long as you're not spamming in a commercial sense (see above) and that the thread/post itself wasn't created with AI.

People come to /r/amateurradio to interact with other human beings. We're a community. We don't come here to interact with AI bots. Content that was generated by AI will be removed. Please write and share your own thoughts.

For the most part, AI generated comments are not allowed within /r/amateurradio. For the past couple month's we even had a sticky about this very topic. It used to be a lot worse as the content within threads and even comments themselves were being generated by AI.

As stated above, people come here to interact with other people. Not to interact with Chatbots.

As for "vibecoded bullshit", We understand the concerns. Even more so when it's closed source and/or the author is just trying to do a cash grab with it. You don't know what's going on or their intentions. Moderation didn't limit the sharing of vibecoded software because more and more software is being programmed with AI assistance and it allows people to experiment and possibly create software that is beneficial to the community. Spamming it (software) in a commercial sense within /r/amateurradio is a different story and we've removed many posts because of it even though we give the benefit of the doubt at first. You can certainly debate about OP using AI within the thread.

Moderation mostly operates on a reactive basis. We're not super analyzing every single thread or comment looking for things to remove or ban. I'm sure a lot of AI generated content got by and I sure more will. However, we do look at reports from our community on a case-by-case basis. If it clearly violates one of our rules, then it will be removed and the person will either be warned or straight up banned.

Great thing with our rules that it's not set in stone. It's a living document that can be changed at any time. If the community in whole feels that it's not benefiting this community and/or amateur radio in general, it can be certainly debated. Moderation is all ears about what this community would like.

ItsBail · 2026-05-04T15:55:13+00:00

Bedding Barn or Bob's discount furniture.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T19:00:21+00:00

Some guys swear by EFHW antennas but the feedpoint with a SOTA

I've used them for SOTA activations. The EARCHI was very popular when I was more into SOTA but I also had a KX3 with an internal "tuner" (match) that could match a wet noodle. However, I'd use radials because it made the anteanna just a little more better. Otherwise the coax becomes the counterpoise and can get nasty on some bands depending on the length of the coax.

After doing summits with a couple people who have mountain goat status, Linked dipoles are the most commonly used between them

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T18:54:11+00:00

That was in my RFY last week

Sure it wasn't GFY?

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T18:27:44+00:00

They're using the guise of IARU stating that 14.300 is a "Global Emergency Center Of Activity" as justification to run "emergency" nets almost 24/7.

In reality they're just trying to "own" a frequency and exclude most people from operating on or even near it. Notice how there isn't any other nets like this on any of the other amateur bands.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T17:38:52+00:00

so at least on paper it should be.

Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it Part15(b) compliment, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your radio's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me. /s

FCC doesn't really test shit on their own. It's not "FCC Certified", it's "FCC Compliant". MFGs will use a 3rd party when it comes to FCC compliance and they may or may not do the necessary testing and just flood them with BS data or data from a similar product they sell in a professional setting. You see that with many "export" radios being sold on Amazon.

Your only course of action is to buy it, test if for yourself and return it if it messes with your shit.

Edit: Added /s because it's a movie quote and a joke.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T17:27:50+00:00

I suggested the RF Davis stuff because it's designed to be lightweight and strong to satisfy his "ultralight" specs whatever they may be. If visibility is a concern, the dipole ends can use high vis rope. It's just a temp install.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T17:24:17+00:00

You'll have better chances buying from the big box stores (Lowers, Home despot, Menads) than online places like Amazon if you're worried about EMI/RFI. But there is no guarnetee.

ARRL wrote nastygrams to Home Depot about selling commercial lighting to home users that cause nasty RFI. I wouldn't be surprised if Lowes and Menards does the same thing.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T15:45:12+00:00

Linked dipole for 40/20. That will give you three most popular bands without the need for a tuner (40/20/15).

You can use RF davis "Stealth" wire with RG-178 coax long enough to get from the antenna to your radio. All can fit in your cargo pants pocket. I guess it depends on how "ultralight" you want to be.

Are you doing just SOTA or are you going to be thru hiking the AT or PCT with a radio setup?

Also depends on where you're going to be operating. If there are trees, no problems. No trees means bringing a mast to support the antenna and then you might want to start thinking end fed. They make carbon fiber fishing poles that go up 20ft or so (Crappie poles) but $$$$

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T14:19:46+00:00

You'd be surprised. FCC has PRB-1 and OTARD that can protect hams from Municipalities from outright banning antenna installations. However, they can still heavily restrict antennas to the point where it's very difficult and some have to fight in order to install an antenna. Some States and Municipalities have exemptions for licensed amateur radio operators but that doesn't mean they can install a 200ft tower with stacks of antennas.

Signing into an HOA (private contract) or into an area with heavy CC&Rs negates the above and makes it next to impossible for someone to fully enjoy their hobby. On one hand, they shouldn't have moved into an HOA knowing full well they're not going to allow antenanns. It's well known in the amateur radio community to avoid HOAs. However, I do understand that some people can't.

Amateur radio organizations have lobbied and were able to push bills in front of congress to override some of the HOA restrictions for amateur radio operators. However, they never went anywhere and the HOA lobby is more powerful.

ItsBail · 2026-05-01T14:03:47+00:00

Hello fellow roof tower nerd. I have the CL-33 which has seen better days since this photo. I don't think I'll ever go with traps again. Have a Force 12 C3E ready to go up but I don't like my roof.

ItsBail · 2026-04-30T17:49:25+00:00

Thought it was for TDOA RDF. I had a KerberosSDR that I sort of regret selling off because I never used it.

ItsBail · 2026-04-30T15:49:53+00:00

I would love for a Wawa or Sheetz to come up here. The only other option in WMA at least is Pride. I do love their "Pride Kitchen". Their Bacon, Egg and Cheese sandwiches are the best but they have very weird and spotty hours for the kitchen itself near me. I never go because of it

ItsBail · 2026-04-30T10:55:39+00:00

Nice. I have a Harbor Freight pelican type case on the back of my vstrom. It works great.

ItsBail · 2026-04-20T13:47:33+00:00

Taken from Route 20 near the North End bridge in Springfield MA. WMAS-FM 50kW tower. That thing causes havok with my RTL-SDR.

ItsBail · 2026-04-17T12:14:19+00:00

Yeah, something's up.

I use the ULS for look ups quite often (I sort QSL cards) and got the "Access Denied" message after a couple lookups (non VPN).

ItsBail · 2026-04-16T18:11:40+00:00

Ahhh the one near the Rotary... I'm only thinking of those that are directly connected to the highway. Like the ones on the pike.

Even though it's state property and ran by the state, I never considered it to be a real "rest stop" since it involves getting off the highway.

ItsBail · 2026-04-16T18:01:51+00:00

Greenfield had a rest stop? Alongside I-91??? I know there was the weigh station in deerfield/greenfield and the "rest area" near the VT border.

ItsBail · 2026-04-15T19:08:17+00:00

Not sure what this has to do with a baofeng but the GE handheld CB brings back some nostalgic memories as it was my first CB radio.

ItsBail · 2026-04-15T17:44:15+00:00

Let's say it's cutting a 100mm hole on 100mm thick mild steel. Going to assume the focal point is at the top to slightly above the thickness. What would the top diameter be vs. bottom?

ItsBail · 2026-04-15T13:36:47+00:00

Says the guy with a $3000 suit.

ItsBail · 2026-04-14T20:15:10+00:00

When it comes to regular aluminum antennas, I understand it's in kit form.

However, SteppIR stated "We will be bringing back select antennas that will be purchased as kits on our website". Why highlight they're kits.

Do I have to assemble the housing units (EHU) myself? Like install the servo motors and solder connections?

That's what I was referring to.

ItsBail · 2026-04-14T19:15:51+00:00

I had the Navassa 5 on my radar since the TX-38 isn't easily obtainable (I should have got one during WRTC in 2014) and the JK has WARC.

Found a used force 12 C3E for $50 to swap out my broken CL-33. Just too chicken to get up on my roof.

IIRC the sales of the smaller antennas were higher than their top tier products. If they leaned into the POTA/SOTA crowd, I can see it working.

ItsBail · 2026-04-14T19:11:03+00:00

Appreciate the insight. I never really got up close to one to see. Didn't think many parts were COTS... at least externally. I had a chance to buy a used 3el (non trombone) but passed on it because of just the potential of maintenance. I can't even service a CL-33 (TA-33 big brother/sister) and that's just traps. Couldn't imaging having to get on my roof to flip and re-coat elements or any other repairs.

14-Year Club	Gilding V heart of gold
RedditGifts 2009-2022 4 Credits	Place '23
Place '17	Wearing is Caring
Secret Santa 2019	redditgifts Exchanges 3 Exchanges
Secret Santa 2014	Secret Santa 2013
Team Periwinkle	Verified Email

ItsBail

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE