The following lines were added (+) and removed (-):
Saying "break" as a means to let the repeater drop, and then continuing is definitely not correct protocol. It sounds very Citizen Band. With that being said, you have to consider that IRLP is by in large full of technician class operators lacking serious ham radio background. That’s not to say that all IRLP users are novices, just that the concentration of novice operators on IRLP is statistically greater than other areas of the hobby due to the very nature of the medium.Saying "break" as a means to let the repeater drop, and then continuing is definitely not correct protocol. With that being said, you have to consider that IRLP is by in large full of technician class operators lacking serious ham radio background. That’s not to say that all IRLP users are novices, just that the concentration of novice operators on IRLP is statistically greater than other areas of the hobby due to the very nature of the medium.The ARRL "[http://www.arrl.org/making-your-first-contact Making Your First Contact]" Guide states, under the "FM Repeaters" section, "If you want to join a conversation already in progress, transmit your call sign during a break between transmissions. The station that transmits next should acknowledge you. Don’t use the word BREAK to join a conversation. BREAK generally suggests an emergency and indicates that all stations should stand by for the station with emergency traffic."The ARRL "[http://www.arrl.org/making-your-first-contact Making Your First Contact]" Guide states, under the "FM Repeaters" section, "''If you want to join a conversation already in progress, transmit your call sign during a break between transmissions. The station that transmits next should acknowledge you. Don’t use the word BREAK to join a conversation. BREAK generally suggests an emergency and indicates that all stations should stand by for the station with emergency traffic.''"