John Smith wrote:
Dee:

I really can't believe some are so devoted to arguing
as this while amateur radio declines...

You're arguing more than anyone here at the moment, John.

First, I DO believe there is a problem with the numbers
of licenses...

OK, fine. How much are the numbers down, percentagewise, from
the peak? How about the ratio of hams to the overall population?

Show us some solid numbers.

Second, there have been things tried,
and there are just echos here of
RE-TRYING failed ideas here--they didn't work then,
they won't work now!

I agree!

In 1987, 1990, 1991, and 2000, the test requirements for an FCC-issued
amateur license were successively reduced. The greatest
reduction came in 2000, when the code tests were reduced from
three speeds to one, and the written tests reduced from 5 tests
totalling 190 questions to three tests totalling 120 questions.

And yet the numbers are now declining.

Third, I don't think anyone here is into any real want to do
anything
better--most are locked in a state of firm and heavy denial and the
numbers must drop much more before this will improve...

I'm for doing something better. But what I think of as better, you
dismiss.

Fourth, I DO believe time and Jim Haynie will provide real
fixes--eventually...

The FCC makes the rules...

Fifth, my opinion is that almost everyone here, to the last
man/woman,
is going to let things go to hell for their own
self-interests--

That includes you, John.

Which of your own self-interests are you willing to sacrifice?

and that
to me is as disgusting as someone masturbating in public--NO
ONE ELSE ENJOYS IT!

Somehow I don't think you're the ideal person to present amateur radio
to young people...

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

[snip]

The idea of "recruiting" people into the ARS is likely never going to
work - at least as far as snagging people that are thinking about a
hobby, but don't know what to pick up.

If you wanna be a Ham - you *know* it.


I must disagree to some extent with this, Mike. There are people who
would love being hams if only they knew about it and knew what it was
like. I never knew I wanted to be a ham until after I became one. My
ex dragged me to a ham class as something we could do together and I
have to admit that it did not sound interesting at the time. I found
that it was something I liked and now I would fight tooth and nail to
keep my license.

So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples - demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?

If we are going to "recruit," we need to find those who would like it
but haven't had the opportunity to know about it or to know enough
about it.

I say you toss it out there for everyone.

[snip]

A local oldster was inquiring as to when his license expired, because
he couldn't find his F.C.C. Wallpaper. We help him figure it out. We
need to keep the geezers on the air. I love talking to them. I hope
someone is looking out for me when I'm 91!


I hope so too. I had the great pleasure and honor of speaking with
W5BQU (Big, Quick, and Ugly) a year or two before he passed away. He
was over 100 at the time and still in pretty good control of his
faculties and still with a zest for life, enjoying those things he
still could do.

I've been a ham for 38 years now and I hope I'm not even halfway done
yet.

73 de Jim, N2EY