**Forum Rules & Etiquette**
Welcome to the South Metro Radio Club Forum! To ensure a positive and productive environment for all members, please adhere to the following rules. Participation in this forum is a privilege contingent on YOU following these guidelines.
**1. The Golden Rule: Respect and Civility**
Treat all members with respect and courtesy. You may disagree vigorously with an idea, but personal attacks, name-calling, insults, baiting, or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
**2. Keep It On Topic**
This forum exists to discuss amateur radio, GMRS, emergency communications, and related technical topics. Please keep conversations relevant to the club's mission and interests. Politics will get you removed very quickly
**3. No NSFW, Illegal, or Malicious Content**
Absolutely no posting of pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material. Do not post links to pirated software, discuss illegal activities, or upload anything containing malware or viruses.
**4. Zero Tolerance for Politics / Hate Speech**
Politics, Racism, anti-Semitism, and hate speech directed at any group based on race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation have no place here and will result in an immediate and permanent ban.
**5. No Doxing or Privacy Violations**
Never post anyone's personal, private, or confidential information (e.g., home address, private phone numbers) without their explicit, written consent. This is a serious violation and will result in a ban.
**6. One Account Per Member**
Each member is permitted one (1) forum account. Creating secondary or "sock puppet" accounts to evade bans or deceive other members is prohibited.
**7. Use the Search Function**
Before posting a new question, please use the search function to see if your topic has already been discussed. This helps reduce clutter and keeps the forum organized.
**8. Conduct Professional QSOs**
While more relaxed than on-air protocol, forum discussions should maintain a level of professionalism. Avoid excessive use of ALL CAPS (which is considered shouting), and use proper spelling and grammar to the best of your ability.
**9. Moderator Authority**
The forum moderators and club leadership have the final say in interpreting these rules. Their decisions are made to protect the community and are not open to public debate. Actions may include editing posts, thread locks, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans.
**Failure to comply with these rules will result in disciplinary action, up to and including the revocation of your forum access and club membership.**
We're glad to have you. Now, let's have some great radio discussions!
73,
The South metro Radio Club Management Team
