AF6AY wrote:
Michael Coslo wrote on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:52:59 EST:

Klystron wrote:
Alan WA4SCA wrote:

* the aging (and death) of the ham population. The ten year license
term means that, on average, it will be five years before a dead ham is
dropped from the rolls, assuming that his heirs do not notify the FCC.
Isn't it great that Ham radio can be still pursued by older folks? I
know that that is a bit of a non sequitar, but the thought just crossed
my mind. 8^)

Please define 'older folks.' That remark seems to me to be verging
too close to that of a confrontational remark. :-(

The practice of operating a radio has never been any sort of test
of athletic ability or that of stamina or physical strength only
possible by those in the 20s and 30s age groups.

That pretty much answers your question, Len. Lots of people who don't
"get around very well" can still have a blast. And fortunately there are
usually other Hams who can help with the more physical things like
putting up antennas, climbing towers, and the like.



About the only thing one can infer from those is that there IS
a small increase in newcomers versus expirees...but the total
of all licenses is still short of what it was about 4 1/2
years ago. At the present rate of license totals increase,
that deficit will not be offset for another 15 to 16 years.

Pretty much my take on it too.


snip



I think that production of stats on active Hams is very difficult,
certainly it can't be gleaned from totals.

I disagree. One of the major uses of the first major computer
systems was searching, sorting, and compiling totals of some
programmed-in sorted-for subject.

Perhaps I should have been more clear. It is hard to determine if a Ham
is active or not by just being licensed. An active license is not
necessarily a sign of an active ham. Even trying to define "active" is
difficult.

In that instance, I was referring to Klystron's "active".

- 73 de Mike N3LI -