The term "reflector" is not a ham only term -- it is a general term referring to any email subscriber list broadcast system. In fact, the "reflector" is the name and role of the host e-mail address. That is, in this case of Elecraft, the address "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" is called the reflector address.
I am not sure where the term "reflector" originated but I am guessing that it came about from one of the list serve type applications that were developed at some time in the past. My experience goes back to early Unix SendMail manual systems and early Listserv managed systems. Even though I am getting old now, I do not remember the term "reflector" used back then which would be in the 1982 to 1985 or maybe 1986 timeframe. Even the years could be wrong but I just have to remember by what projects I worked on in those days. 73, phil, K7PEH On Jun 11, 2013, at 5:31 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> wrote: > Brendon, > > It is not that Elecraft has set it up that way, but all reflectors using > mailman.qth.net behave the same way. > I 'cut my teeth' on reflectors that work as mailman.qth.net does and think > that those who do it the other way around (such as Yahoo Groups) are > 'backwards'. > > I believe the the convention used by mailman.qth.net is much older than other > groups that have switched the order for replying. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 6/11/2013 12:56 AM, Brendon Whateley wrote: >> Elecraft sets up the mail list in a somewhat unusual way. (Why do hams call >> it a reflector?) The normal way is to rewrite the reply-to header so that >> REPLY goes back to the list without the need for Reply All and an extra copy >> to the previous sender. >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html