Amen! The "local" guys I associate with use 6M up to 47 GHz at present,
so I don't want to lose the upper bands. Use 'em or lose 'em holds true
up here as technology coming along needs wider bandwidths, ie
microwaves! http://www.nlrs.org and http://www.cvvhf.org/

Scott
N0EDV

Gary KW4Z wrote:

I too remember the criticism and skepticism thrown toward CB Radio, much
maligned in many cases true in some, regarding the professionalism that they
perceived was lacking. Whoa be to Ham Radio as the CB'ers upgrade and get a
taste for something better. You are correct, or those that say, that CB'ers
or many of them helped Ham Radio along as they would attempt to upgrade and
improve their lot. Many Hams, some former CB'ers" granted exercise much
less restraint and professionalism on Voice (75 meter bands) at times so we
are just as guilty as the others we throw rocks at. I still do feel there
is hope but like everything else it takes time, dedication, and being an
example as well as having the desire to see it improve. Those "coffee
break" gatherings were unique and in spirit at times the club meetings or
Morning Get to gathers resemble a much smaller variant of the same.
Truckers will always define CB as it's their business radio, and many find
company with the other long haul drivers. Thankfully many a truck driver is
also finding Ham Radio and many keep a rig in their trucks as well and
provide yet another source of good operators. Sure there are some bad ones
but that's the way it is everywhere (even in Churches). With the dropping
of the Code requirement you never know how many, existing CB'ers' will
upgrade and help us hold the frequencies that we have now. They ARE a
priviledge and without a base to use them and using them it's increasingly
easy for the FCC to look for commercialization of our bands. Thankfully
most Commercialization is being done way above where most of us use but you
can't write off anything, not to mention what others in the World Do.