Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

I have to take exception with you on a few things, however I can see why you
would think the way you are, and it's a lot of our own doing and fault. I
still think Amateur Radio is very useful to the public and local
Governments. Today, many clubs, ARES, and RACES stations still assist State
Weather agencies with trained Weather spotters that during an alert respond
and set up weather nets on the VHF & UHF frequencies as well as driving
around to be a trained eye on what's going on. Amateur Radio operators
also, though much has broken down or been forgotten, are trained and many
participate in training at running an organized net. Several nets meet on
each frequency with State Level nets still assigned to 75 Meters although as
dormant as I have been I don't know that active status of them but I assume
them to be going as they are still a part of the National Traffic System.
Mostly useless, to most, they still give a Ham a structured net to observe
and that could be activated during disasters like Katrina where Hams can
transport repeaters into the area or work simplex from riding with police or
national guard. Health and Welfare traffic from hospital to hospital can
also take a load off FEMA or other agencies and attempt to locate relatives
that are at each hospital provided they get help from each hospital. During
Hurricane Season 20 meters is turned up for Tracking and Health and Welfare
messages.

Like you said though much has died off and people don't seem to care much
more but the underlying network is there and Unlike CB we are trained (you
had to study theory, rules, and operating procedures) operators that at
least know how things should run. I think it could improve but with the
internet, newsgroups, online chat as well as Cell Phones everywhere Ham
Radio has sure taken a substantial Hit. I do think though it can and will
regain much of what you accurately see that it's lost.


On 12/29/06 12:05 AM, in article
, "art"
wrote:

Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

Yup Gary Ham radio is all........ could have..... should have... but
really did nothing

The old spirit carries on at morning coffee breaks. I remember when the
club was over 100 strong and where people resented incomming CB ers who
in actual fact kept ham radio alive even tho the old timers talked
about wire antennas and making power supplies or a tuner where as the
new comers just bought their stuff and accepted that all was known
about antennas. Went to a ham fest last year and there was lots of
people there at the beginning of the first day but by lunch time it was
empty and some vendors were packing up. The old timers already had
their equipment and there are no newcommers to buy unles it is computor
related. Ham radio still thrives in other countries where the thro away
economy has not taken a full hold but their repeaters show evidence of
being taken over.
This newsgroup is an excellent example of us old timers taking the
hobby with us to our graves. It is ours, we made it what it is and this
newsnet is its last gasp where pseudo experts try to keep their spirits
up as father time works on schedule
Art





Gary KW4Z wrote:
I have to take exception with you on a few things, however I can see why you
would think the way you are, and it's a lot of our own doing and fault. I
still think Amateur Radio is very useful to the public and local
Governments. Today, many clubs, ARES, and RACES stations still assist State
Weather agencies with trained Weather spotters that during an alert respond
and set up weather nets on the VHF & UHF frequencies as well as driving
around to be a trained eye on what's going on. Amateur Radio operators
also, though much has broken down or been forgotten, are trained and many
participate in training at running an organized net. Several nets meet on
each frequency with State Level nets still assigned to 75 Meters although as
dormant as I have been I don't know that active status of them but I assume
them to be going as they are still a part of the National Traffic System.
Mostly useless, to most, they still give a Ham a structured net to observe
and that could be activated during disasters like Katrina where Hams can
transport repeaters into the area or work simplex from riding with police or
national guard. Health and Welfare traffic from hospital to hospital can
also take a load off FEMA or other agencies and attempt to locate relatives
that are at each hospital provided they get help from each hospital. During
Hurricane Season 20 meters is turned up for Tracking and Health and Welfare
messages.

Like you said though much has died off and people don't seem to care much
more but the underlying network is there and Unlike CB we are trained (you
had to study theory, rules, and operating procedures) operators that at
least know how things should run. I think it could improve but with the
internet, newsgroups, online chat as well as Cell Phones everywhere Ham
Radio has sure taken a substantial Hit. I do think though it can and will
regain much of what you accurately see that it's lost.


On 12/29/06 12:05 AM, in article
, "art"
wrote:

Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

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.


On 12/29/06 10:03 AM, in article
, "art"
wrote:

Yup Gary Ham radio is all........ could have..... should have... but
really did nothing

The old spirit carries on at morning coffee breaks. I remember when the
club was over 100 strong and where people resented incomming CB ers who
in actual fact kept ham radio alive even tho the old timers talked
about wire antennas and making power supplies or a tuner where as the
new comers just bought their stuff and accepted that all was known
about antennas. Went to a ham fest last year and there was lots of
people there at the beginning of the first day but by lunch time it was
empty and some vendors were packing up. The old timers already had
their equipment and there are no newcommers to buy unles it is computor
related. Ham radio still thrives in other countries where the thro away
economy has not taken a full hold but their repeaters show evidence of
being taken over.
This newsgroup is an excellent example of us old timers taking the
hobby with us to our graves. It is ours, we made it what it is and this
newsnet is its last gasp where pseudo experts try to keep their spirits
up as father time works on schedule
Art





Gary KW4Z wrote:
I have to take exception with you on a few things, however I can see why you
would think the way you are, and it's a lot of our own doing and fault. I
still think Amateur Radio is very useful to the public and local
Governments. Today, many clubs, ARES, and RACES stations still assist State
Weather agencies with trained Weather spotters that during an alert respond
and set up weather nets on the VHF & UHF frequencies as well as driving
around to be a trained eye on what's going on. Amateur Radio operators
also, though much has broken down or been forgotten, are trained and many
participate in training at running an organized net. Several nets meet on
each frequency with State Level nets still assigned to 75 Meters although as
dormant as I have been I don't know that active status of them but I assume
them to be going as they are still a part of the National Traffic System.
Mostly useless, to most, they still give a Ham a structured net to observe
and that could be activated during disasters like Katrina where Hams can
transport repeaters into the area or work simplex from riding with police or
national guard. Health and Welfare traffic from hospital to hospital can
also take a load off FEMA or other agencies and attempt to locate relatives
that are at each hospital provided they get help from each hospital. During
Hurricane Season 20 meters is turned up for Tracking and Health and Welfare
messages.

Like you said though much has died off and people don't seem to care much
more but the underlying network is there and Unlike CB we are trained (you
had to study theory, rules, and operating procedures) operators that at
least know how things should run. I think it could improve but with the
internet, newsgroups, online chat as well as Cell Phones everywhere Ham
Radio has sure taken a substantial Hit. I do think though it can and will
regain much of what you accurately see that it's lost.


On 12/29/06 12:05 AM, in article
, "art"
wrote:

Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

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.

Whoa! Just because YOU don't use the radio doesn't mean the rest of us
don't! What's the need to give these frequencies up for home security?
Ham licenses are a privilege, not a right...they CAN be taken away and
then they would be gone forever. Home security can better be effected
with a gun and owning a gun IS a right, which they can't take away
(although they ARE trying). I prefer Ruger, Remington and Smith &
Wesson home security systems.

Scott
N0EDV

PS...According to qrz.com, you're ham license is about to expire (and
you appear to be one of those "old guys" you mention. Are you about to
expire as well?


art wrote:

Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

Yup, you have to have a gun for when the balloon goes up but shouldn't
you get an automatic?
If you live in a city it may be a mob coming for you instead of just
one person. It is not like hunting you know when you shoot at an animal
running away, when it happens it is a finality
you either get them or your wife gets the life insurance, in a way you
can't lose.and the other guy has to deal with what is left. Had a guy
come over one time and wanted to know why there was a light on my
tower, after I told him it was set up with a 28 day recorder which
wasn't in the house we never saw him again. It is imperitive that you
leave a record of the goings on around your home it only costs peanuts
and the number of deaths by violence is going up. You can't be to
carefull in America these days and besides we may have a revolution and
anybody with money gets Madame Guillotine. Isnt that the American way
when mayhem breaks out the first looter gets first choice
Art



Scott wrote:
Whoa! Just because YOU don't use the radio doesn't mean the rest of us
don't! What's the need to give these frequencies up for home security?
Ham licenses are a privilege, not a right...they CAN be taken away and
then they would be gone forever. Home security can better be effected
with a gun and owning a gun IS a right, which they can't take away
(although they ARE trying). I prefer Ruger, Remington and Smith &
Wesson home security systems.

Scott
N0EDV

PS...According to qrz.com, you're ham license is about to expire (and
you appear to be one of those "old guys" you mention. Are you about to
expire as well?


art wrote:

Ham radio has really lost out on its usefullness to the Country. There
are more CB radios in the country than radio sets and truck drivers are
sure a better resource than ham radio running around with walky
talkies.. We used to be on the cusp of radio but now we are in a throw
away economy and very few hams know how to use a soldering iron.
Wouldnt the frequencies be of better use to Home Security rather than
advertising to the World what americans will do to those who are
against us?
Listen to the radio now, nobody is using it and we are crying to the
FCC but for what ?
Ham radio died when the net was formed and hams moved to newsgroups
where they can argue better than they did on their own special
frequencies.. We sure as heck don't need a newsgroup for antennas until
the old guys die off and even then we have books with everything has
now been written down. Seems like we are going back to the old days
where the old timers couldn't accept
cbers as being upto par with respect to radio knoweledge. In ten years
all the old fogies will die off
and the World will move on without a mistep. Hams have over estimated
their abilitiues and worth
to the Country and it is time we let go

Art KB9MZ

Please folks, do not reply to these posts which have nothing to do
with the purpose of this newsgroup, which is antennas.

If these clueless bozos never get any replies, they will eventually
learn to post to the correct newsgroup, in this case
rec.radio.amateur.policy.

Thanks,

Bill, W6WRT