Can't figure why an individual needs to qualify a group as diverse as
amateur radio operators in such a manner as this. Trying to describe
amateurs is like trying to determine what color of blue the sky is.
However, if only more ham were curious about how their gear worked or
liked to experiment or had the patience (most important) to design
their own gear. Sadly, many couldn't work their way through a block
diagram of their simplest gear and don't have the desire to study and
learn. I guess most hams have heard by now that the code requirements
will be eliminated from the US licensing requirements. My hope is that
there will be an influx of technically inclined/curious people who
prior to the proposed change were not interested in CW and now will
consider becoming amateurs. Homebrew is not the endall for being a
"good" ham and is not for some any more than participating in public
service should be. It is just interesting if not exciting to see what
clever circuits that some guys (many non amateur) design. I consider
myself a very average homebrewer, perhaps a "bit" behind the technology
of today as I still build some tube gear. But over the last year the
most satisfying contacts I have made have been with amateurs that had
complete scratch state of the art homebrew stations. It was interesting
pitting my 70's and 80's technology against their state of the art
though.

Don K5UOS