RadioBanter - View Single Post - Before and After Cessation of Code Testing

Michael Coslo · April 18th 07, 06:37 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.moderated

wrote:

I don't think that we are ever going to see Amateur Radio appeal to
the public at large.

Probably not. Do we want to? Much of what passes "interesting" for the
public at large is not interesting to people such as myself. After all,
we can only handle so much of "Star Search".

Fifty years ago it was difficult to phone
outside of your state, today I regularly call relatives in India, Iran
and Australia for free on Skype. Kids today who regularly chat with
other kids from around the globe on myspace will not be impressed with
a hard to hear ham contact with North Dakota.

The ability to talk to someone across the world through a gargantuan
network is everyday stuff now.

The magic is to be able to do it with no more structure that provided
by a few components made from essentially refined dirt is the magic part
of the whole thing.

If what people want to do is yak at each other, the Telephone is great,
and audio chat rooms allow for an internet based talking experience. No
thanks.

If however, you enjoy putting a station together, homebrewing and
experimentation with the same end in mind, technical acumen
accumulation, Emergency comms, or just dealing with a mostly fine group
of people, then maybe Amateur Radio is for you.

I flew to India on business, turned on my standard US issued mobile/
cell phone in Mumbai airport and received a call from the US long
before I cleared customs. The customs agent just shrugged when he saw
my phone. Have you ever tried to take ham equipment into India or get
an Indian callsign? Just forget it unless you want to pay some
serious "facilitation fees."

Sounds like a Amateur - unfriendly place. Too bad that!

The appeal of ham radio is almost historical, like being a classic car
buff, but it appeals only to certain segments of the population.

Some parts are historical. And the hobby is all the richer for it. I
enjoy my modern synthesized, memory laden and DSP aided radios, and I
enjoy my old time tube rigs, which have a lot of "cool factor".

Other parts are every bit as modern as the internet. Actually even more so.

I
doubt that the july 2003 record of hams will ever be broken, what
eliminating the code requirement does is hold the line on decline and
make it easier for those who want to try the hobby to try it.

I think it will at some point. It is up to us to sell the sizzle of Ham
radio to those who might appreciate it.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -