What do you suppose is the time frame before what we now consider
ham radio 'old world style' is completely gone? I still use CW on a
regular basis, but I notice that I never work anyone younger than myself
(42). That means there are no new-comers to speak of. And I hear
really really bad CW, even in the extra segment of the bands, which tells
me that more and more folks are getting on the air with very little CW
skill - I'm sure it won't be long and there won't be any CW left at all.

But what about radio in general? Shortwave is going digital, and it just
seems to me that it's just a matter of time before SSB, AM, and CW
are all just 'historical modes' and studied with the casual disinterest we
now pay to spark transmitters and coherer detectors.

I give it all 10 years, tops. No more CW heard after that - ham AM will be
gone, AM SW broadcasting will be gone (except for the jesus crowd).

What say you?