John Smith wrote:
To all:

I do have opinions, I do believe I try to form correct ones. I believe I
change, adapt and re-think these opinions--and frequently, if there exists
proof to the contrary of these beliefs--I would be an IDIOT not to change
them, and men of sound sanity and judgement will be the judges. And, what
is true today may change, it may not be true forever--I would like to keep
in step with my beliefs.

However, somethings I believe a

1) There are more illegal aliens in the state of California, alone, than
there are LICENSED amateurs in the whole united states.

There are more people in prisons in the United States than
licensed Amateurs, however I fail to see the relevence to that, too.

Shall we allow those illegals to obtain Amateur licenses much the
same as some states are considering allowing illegals to obtain drivers
licenses, public assistance, etc? Perhaps we should go ahead and start
putting repeater ID's up in Spanish?

2) I believe there are more unemployed in the state of California, alone,
than there are LICENSED amateurs in the whole united states.

Maybe if we got the unelmployed to spend some of their idle time
getting an Amateur license those numbers would shift???

3) I believe almost ALL generals and extras are sixty years of age and
above.

Hmmmmmmmm...I know of a COUPLE Extras who are over 60, but almost
everyone I know (myself included, obviously) are well under 60. Of
course those numbers change drastically depending on local
demographics. I am sure that there are more 60+ Extras in Miami than
Nashville, for example!

4) I believe amateur has become a group of self-serving old men of
yesteryear and they impede progress, I am unclear if they realize they are
doing this, or the extent which others see them as doing that.

I believe this is an inaccurate assessment.

The simple fact that FEMA and it's agents are pumping millions of
dollars INTO Amateur Radio training programs and providing Amateur
Radio facilities at it's comm centers alone disproves the assertion.

5) I believe MOST amateur gear is outdated, uses technology from
yesteryear and manufacturers see hams as a minute group in regards to
sales and expendature on research and development and retooling.

Judging on the capabilites of "modern" Amateur gear (ie: Icom
IC-756ProIII, etc) I'd say this is yet another inaccuate assessment.

Just picking up even one of the most basic 2 meter HT's and
comparing what they can do as opposed to thier forebearers demonstrates
that the move continues to be a forward one.

And if the manufacturers considered us so minute, why do the
manufacturers continue to "retool" and aggressively offer even newer
devices with expanded options and functionality? That retooling costs
money, and those expenditures must be justified to stockholders.
Obviously someone thinks the expenditure is worth the return.

6) I believe, right now as I type this, that this is all in the first
stages of a massive change.

We have always been in a state of flux.

As a matter of fact, I think some of the biggest fluxers I have
ever known are fight here in this forum!

7) I believe amateur are a "Non-Issue" purely from these dismal numbers.

I refer back to my comments under Item #4 and #5. The investments
of trust and money by government, public and private agencies and
manufacturers doesn't support your contention.

Just because there aren't as many HT's hanging from beltloops as
cellphones does not negate our functionality or "worthiness".

8) I believe much more, and it all points in the direction of the
above--amateur radio will change/adapt or die, and the oldsters would have
it die--either out of disability, ignorance or design, but the effect
would be the same--and I believe even as I type this a few move towards
the other direction, and a new day for amateur radio--I believe the truly
great men in amateur radio died when the old guy who assisted me in
getting tickets died, and I believe he would have been man enough to
have stood up to the plate and called a spade, a SPADE!

If you read some of the Amateur journals from 20, 30, even 40
years ago there have been doom-sayers and gloomers throughout.

I say that Amateur Radio today is NOT Amateur Radio of 10 years
ago, let alone of the 30's as suggested by one rather poorly informed
participant of this forum.

Nor will the Amateur Radio of 2005 resemble anything like what our
kids or their kids will experience, assuming the commercial concerns
don't get their way with our allocations.

I am a believer...

Ditto.

73

Steve, K4YZ