I have been floating in and of this news group for about 12-15 years...
Sometimes I have been an active poster and other times I am content to just
lurk.

What amazes me is really two things that have a very close connection (no
pun intended):

1) The amount of useful and meaningful traffic in the digital modes has
dropped dramatically.

2) The amount of useful and meaningful traffic on this news group has
dropped dramatically.

Yes, there are a few APRS nodes and some traffic there... A node simply
repeating ad infinitum where it is located, what time it is, and what the
temperature is at the site. Not very useful, but it is better than dead air,
I suppose.

While it really does not fit the definition of digital radio 100%, of much
more interest are the EchoLink system and similar ideas. At least there is a
combining of digital services (VoIP) and radio happening.

And yes, there are a few pockets of digital services that are surviving,
perhaps even thriving. But this is not the norm... Just look at the traffic
in this news group or check your local BBS (if you have one) and, if you
have been around for more than about 10 years or so, you will see the
overall decline.

I am curious as to what people attribute the (apparent) death of digital
systems overall.

I, of course, have my own ideas that have, by the way, not changed for more
than a decade.

So, what say you about the life of digital services?

Take Care & 73

From The Desk Of
Marty Albert
KC6UFM