Walt Davidson wrote:

The fact that the amateur radio population is ageing has actually
*increased* band occupancy, because many radio amateurs nowadays are
retired and are now able to spend many more hours on the air,
especially on weekdays. Also, much of the "new blood" of which you
speak actually consists of people aged in their 50s, 60s and 70s ...
not youngsters in the first flush of youth. These people have a high
disposable income and plenty of time on their hands.

The amount of AM being used on 80m is also a very encouraging sign;
seemingly contacts can be had at almost any time, and on any
phone-section frequency. Special nets need not be used to get
contacts, if the onservations of my tuning around are typical.
--
from
Aero Spike