KØHB wrote:
Quoting from an ARRL news release

.. On Saturday, May 17 at the Dayton Hamvention, ARRL President
.. Joel Harrison, W5NZ, plans to announce that the League will expand
.. its identity program to include greater emphasis on technology.
.. Harrison explained that "Ham radio operators, and particularly
.. ARRL members, closely identify with current and emerging radio
.. technology. Today, we are naming 'technology' as ARRL's new
.. fifth pillar."

If ARRL will put enough weight into this idea that it can gain traction, I feel
this may be the key to a renewed health for our hobby.

I think this is a good idea. I'm not so sure that Amateur Radio is
unhealthy though.


What can we do to help?


I'm all about technology. I do want it to be relevant, not just
technology for it's own sake.

Good technology:

Getting more people on narrow digital modes.

I still want a PSK31 HT. Young people like to text. Having an HT that
can display text that costs nothing beyond the initial cost of the HT,
and the cost of charging batteries.

Oh yeah, while we're at it, I don't know if that HT with the camera is
still being produced

As much as I prefer regular transceivers, SDR radio would be a pretty
interesting way to go. Big hint to the mfgr's: Sell something usable
that isn't a kilobuck+. I saw the ones out at Dayton, and a better price
point is advised.

Keep on moving with the computer enhanced stuff.


Technology that is so-so.

I've seen a lot about the new Digital voice and data modes such as
D-Star. Lots of investment needed there, and although the transmission
of data is kinda cool, I have concerns about multipath. Isn't as much of
a problem for old school FM. Also while I like the idea of sending data,
I think that digital voice is kind of underwhelming, unless we
subscribe to the view that "it's digital - It's better".

D-Star might need a big kick start, such as emergency groups purchasing
repeaters, and maybe some initial users getting some help. Otherwise
people who want to put up a digital repeater (note, not a digipeater)
might be going to a lot of expense to talk to one or two friends.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -