Boy did you fall for a bunch of propaganda! Although we have fallen off the all time high as far as numbers go, we are in no significant decline. Rather we are in a period of stabilization. Some weeks ago, I had shown the hams as a percentage of population and it's been holding pretty stable. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a computer problem and lost the file. When I get time, I'll have to research the data again and recreate the file.

As far as the declining number of manufacturers goes, the normal progression in any business is towards fewer companies serving the market. Unless one takes steps to stop it, a free market economy goes through a cycle. New product with lots of new companies. Then continuing consolidation until there is a near monopoly by one or a handful of companies. Occasionally, a new company will break in but not too often. This has happened in EVERY industry not just radio manufacturing. At least a dozen car companies, if not more, have come and gone in the US and we are down to three. Dozens of computer companies have come and gone. Dozens of software companies and so on.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE
"Joe Guthart" wrote in message ...
I am glad the FCC finally took charge of the situation and decided to drop the code requirements. Here's why ...

I like Amateur Radio and want it to be a life-long hobby for me ... however, I just plainly can't take time to effectively study the code at this point in my life. I think my story is pretty common for most of the new people entering Amateur Radio today. I am a 43 year old married father of three children. I have a background in Aerospace Engineering and my full time work is in the high technology sector working with many well known computing infrastructure companies. I got my Technician license about two and a half years ago because it was a neat little challenge for me to combine radio communications with some of the newer digital modes. Basically, it was fun, not really technical challenging, but a nice way to relax. I do enjoy making contacts on 6 meters. I would play around with some different radio, antenna, and computer configurations and started to develop a relationship with some fellow ham buddies. Soon I became limited with the VHF/UHF band and wanted to hop onto HF. Of course, by the current rules one would have to jump on and take on learning Morse Code. I am absolutely sure I could do this if I had enough time. Having an ongoing career and being a family man, doesn't really leave a whole lot of time to practice dits and dahs. I have actually played around with the code several times, but real life events and changing priorities always got in the way; not en excuse just reality. I really do see learning the code as similar to my older engineering brethren making me learn how to use a slide rule; it's kind of neat, but not really effective for me, or most folks, given the advance of other computing methods and devices.

Fellow hams need to sit back and take an objective look at this hobby because it is dying a rapid death! Amateur Radio needs me and people just like me to join in on the HF bands and to use our real world high tech expertise to help further Amateur Radio. Amateur Radio also needs my $$$$. Take a look at the declining number of amateur radio manufacturers and radios. How could any business justify spending a lot on research and development in a market that is collapsing?

Finally, I honor all those of you who are code proficient. I too may one day still be code proficient even if there is no formal testing. However, I do think that the right decision has been made by the FCC and will ultimately be finalized with little changes. This will not kill our hobby, but will inject more life into it.

73's to All,

Joe / KG4YJS