Michael Coslo wrote on Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:35:43 EDT
AF6AY wrote:
On Apr 23, 10:41?am, "KH6HZ" wrote:
"Michael Coslo" wrote:

In my field, I find many people writing and giving away software. I think
how much altruism exists depends on a person's outlook.
What real altruism exists in software short of Linux-based products?

Granted, there is a large amount of 'shareware' out there, but a sizeable
percentage of it is simply crippleware designed to get you to upgrade to the
'commercial' version.

Go to Linear Technology (the semiconductor company). They
will let anyone download LTSpice, a fully functional, operating
SPICE suite, complete with component library and schematic
drawing function that will automatically create a SPICE netlist.
The manual for it is a separate download, also free to anyone.
Not shareware, not some "crippleware designed to make one
upgrade." A fully working SPICE program, for nothing. Ideal
for amateur radio homebrew projects to check out any
circuit before building it in hardware. LTSpice has been out
for about a year, already has some hobby groups talking
about it, using it, with tips on how to use it for unusual
circuits and applications.

On my computers, I use the OpenOffice Suite (mostly WP and their
spreadsheet)

I was unaware that WordPerfect had any "reader" or equivalent. :-)
My upgrade from WP 3.1 to WP 8 came about, I think, from some
bean-counter's mistake at a Fry's Electronics sale. For a mere $85
I got the "8" Upgrade plus "Dragon Naturally Speaking" (with nice
little
single-earphone and boom mike headset). One has to keep eyes and
ears and mind open for legitimate bargains...they don't happen often.

I use Digipan and a whole host of other Ham radio software.

Let's not forget N1MM contest logger.

A number of people produce software for the PAQSO party.

All these things share one thing in common. They are free for the download.

Yes! And there's no need to change/include other Operating Systems
on
a PC!

Linear Technology Corporation isn't all that involved with altruism.
Their
LTSpice was originally configured to simulate their switching power
supply
ICs in order to boost their sales of same. Its first name
was "SwitcherCAD." However, they did change their SPICE "envelope" to
allow drawing-listing-analyzing-simulating any kind of discrete-
component
circuit. Their schematic-drawing and auto-netlist creation is not one
of
intrinsic beauty but it works just as good as those pay-for-everything
SPICE packages. It can be used as an ARRL Radio Designer
replacement or equivalent. At no cost.


Licensed amateurs as a whole in the US has been declining for 3+ years now.

Not really any big decline. Newcomers (never before licensed)
are filling in the gaps left by expirations. Check it out on
www.hamdata.com, right on the home page.

The "big drop-off" is largely being replaced. While we can discuss the
reason that it happened - it did happen. I suspect that we will get to
that earlier level at some point.

Perhaps the old Tech license was a bit of a dead end?

I don't think so. The "old" Technician class which became "Technician
Plus" in 1991 did serve its purpose in 1990 and before. Of course the
Tech Plus was no longer issued as of 2000, but then neither were
Advanced and Novice.

The Novice class license was conceived, lobbied-for by those who
thought
U.S. Amateur Radio would always have morse code as it epitome of
skills
and all should "do their time" in the "apprenticeship" of old-style
operating
as if amateur radio was a union, guild or special craft occupation.
Of
course it wasn't, despite all the urging and PR to "begin at the
beginning
and work, work, work your way up" by some. :-(

The "old" Tech and the new Tech were specifically banished from HF
until
July of 2003 and the changes to S25 (nearly entire re-write) at
WRC-03.
They served their original purpose well enough, I think, which was to
open a class of license for true experimenters. What really happened
was that the Techs (both kinds) found they could be IN amateur radio
and
it wasn't burdened by all the old morse code requirements (de jure and
de
facto). Even with the antipathy of old-timers ("shack on a belt" type
of
remarks, etc.) the Techs did their own thing on VHF-UHF and found it
as
much or more fun than what they "were supposed to do" on HF.

It should be fairly obvious that Techs (both kinds) made up very, very
close
to half of all licensees in U.S. amateur radio prior to 23 February
2007. It
was the "entry" class for so many and many enjoyed that so much they
didn't all switch to other classes. All that while the original
"entry" class of
Novice licensees were dwindling.


However, in the periodicals that survive there continue to be
new ham radio models being made and advertised, certain
models promoted with extras (such as Icom). Antenna
makers are still "up" and so are the hundreds of smaller
businesses selling peripheral equipment and add-ons. I'd
say that the interest in amateur radio is increasing, not the
opposite.

Agreed. Certainly it is in my area. There are some who would dispute
the success we are having in our area (we are running at a 2+ percent
increase after factoring in attrition for well over a year now) as a
fluke. I might respectfully suggest a new approach. 8^)

In the last week I've received new catalogs from AES, HRO, Texas
Towers, MFJ in the mail. It's either a grand conspiracy of marketing
or just a lot of ham goodies being made and sold. :-)


There might even be a trend towards more newcomers
entering than ever before, some hints of that already shown
in numbers on www.hamdata.com.

The new hams in our area are good people, and are becoming active and
well mannered hams.

I didn't know that new folks were "ill-mannerred." I've heard a lot
of old
folks say they were but, as one of the 'old folk' I have yet to see
that
for myself. :-)

73, Len AF6AY