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Are we the last generation of hams?
On Apr 21, 12:20�am, AF6AY wrote:
wrote on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:00:34 EDT: Are we in danger of being the last generation of hams? I'd say no. At my test session of 25 Feb 07 there were at least two teen-agers applying for an amateur radio license. Given that I was born before the FCC was created, the "last" generation would be at least three before me... :-) Perhaps "last era" of Amateurs may have been more appropriate and descriptive. (And if we are, what can we do to eliminate that danger?) What "danger?" I see none. But more on that later. First, a disclaimer. I'm into my fifth decade of being a licensed amateur, and figure I'm good for 3 or 4 more sunspot cycles of fun. I love amateur radio. Well, I've been a licensed commercial radio operator since 1956 and a licensed radio amateur since 2007. It has, in between getting a whole new station set up, been fun. But has been, nonetheless, NOT Amateur related. Trying to parallel Amaeur and Commerical HF radio operation is the proverbial Apples-vs-Oranges argument. No doubt your commercial experience was rewarding on it's own level. Our service will only continue to exist so long as the majority of the worlds national governments believe that we bring value to the public in exchange for the incredibly valuable RF spectrum that is entrusted to our use. I would suggest rewording that to say "bring value to the citizens [of various nations] in terms of their enjoyment and well-being" or something like that. I don't see that an "exchange" of anything is necessary or warranted. But that "exchage" is exactly what's infered, albeit not mandatory in PART 97. Pulling out the Red Book (NTIA) or the big chart in Part 2, Title 47 C.F.R. on which radio service gets what in the EM spectrum, we can find some items for USA citizens that appear to have no intrinsic value whatsoever: 1. 30 KHz bandspace absolutely license free at 160 - 190 KHz. Been there a long time in regulations, sees little use. 2. 400 KHz bandspace for CB (40 channels at "11m") for nothing but Personal Communications. No license required. He avily used on highways, all states. 3. 1.6 MHz (!) bandspace at 72 to 73, 75.4 to 76 MHz, 80 channels for nothing but model air and surface radio control. No license required. A very fun hobby. 4. There's more, also regulated by Part 95, Title 47 C.F.R., such as Family Radio Service unlicensed transceivers, but you get the picture, I'm sure. 5. I'm not even counting the RF emitters of very short range such as the Keyless Auto Entry transmitters (millions) or the Bluetooth earpieces (look, ma, no wires to my cellphon e), the tens of thousands of Wireless LANs that have invaded residences, the "WiFi" links of Internet to PCs, or other RF emitters that make our lives easier now, replacing hard wired or mechanical functions done previously. All of the above services to citizens which could be categorized as "unessential" services since they don't immediately secure their absolute safety or insure their well-being. The above are available in nearly all countries although their authorized frequencies may vary due to their adminstrations' regulations. Items (2) through (5) came into being within the last two decades or so. The model radio control bandspace is only 100 KHz narrower than the worldwide 10m amateur band. Model radio control is pure hobby-amusement and no modeler (that I've heard/seen) makes any claims of supplanting vehicles in case of disaster or emergency, nor is that hobby claimed to be a starting point for any life-long career in using/designing vehicles, boats, or aircraft. All of those allocations you cite are NOT Amateur Radio allocations albeit they are deceidedly in the public interest to exist since the public deamnds it. How is this related to the longevity of the AMATEUR Service? I think if the members of ITU collectively asked "Are the hams of the world doing anything which justifies their generous chunks assigned spectrum?" the honest answer would be "Probably not." I will ask "which chunks in what spectrum?" Hams of the HF persuasion are one group, the "VHF-ers" (and up) are the other. HF has been relatively static in change for at least two decades, and decreased prior to that with many communications services formerly on HF migrating to satellite relay. I'd say by the international press covering numerous uses of the Amateur services recently that you're both incorrect. Also, the the communications that Len refers to as "migrating to satellite relay" are, once again, NOT Amateur Radio functions. Snippage. What are we going to do about that? Speaking from 54 years from my first HF radio experience to becoming a new amateur nearly two months ago and observing EM spectrum use while working in industry in all the time in between, I would say "don't take yourselves so seriously within your radio service!" Amateur radio is a hobby, a fun hobby. If other countries' hobbyists can enjoy some chunks of EM spectrum just for hobbyist fun, then why can't the USA? For many people Amateur Radio is a hobby. For others it is a tool to be used for a greater need. The wide brush applying "hobby" does not fit. As to this whole claim of being a backup communications provider when the infrasture fails in disasters, I have to say show me in a detailed report where it was essential. The Midwest Floods of 1992. Katrina. Rita. Andrew. Spetember 11th. At least accoriding to the NOAA, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The Department of Defense, The Department of State, etc etc etc. Having been required to design electronics for terrible environments, I know that amateur radio equipment isn't going to survive better than the infrastructures' gear. [see May QST for one piece of equipment that didn't survive Katrina...lost with one amateur's entire station] ONE Amateur's...Amateur Radio's greatest strength is in its multiplicty of resources...Every licensee is yet another "facility" from which to draw upon. No one piece of radio gear is indestructable. The COMMERICAL infrastructure's weakness is it's limitied numbers, complexity of technology and it's cost. AMATEUR Radio's strengths are just the opposite. The Public Safety Radio Services have their radios now and use them every day. NOAA has its weather observation services plus satellite downlinks. Funny you mention the NOAA. One of thier "Enviromental Heros" this past Earth Day was an Amateur licensee (KC5EZZ), and he was recognized specificallly for his contributions to NOAA with an extended Amateur Radio net. Harbor and inland waterways have their radio services and plans for emergencies there. The FAA routinely handles aircraft emergencies every week with the aid of radio. Believe it or not, the telephony infrastructure can come back to life when its subscribers stop all trying to use their switching system all at once; they've had battery backup in central offices for more than half a century. Truckers daily help fellow motorists on highways, sometimes alerted over their CBs. Yes, amateur radio CAN be a help in emergencies just as ALL citizens can be a help, with or without any license for anything. There hasn't been any need for trained morse code operators for over a decade for any WWII-era "pool" to help the nation. With anything in radio. The miliaries do adequate training of their members, government radio with theirs. I'd say the salient feature of amateur radio is its ability to introduce newcomers to a fascinating technologically- heavy activity...somethine they can have fun with while learning. For youngsters it MIGHT be a starting point for their eventual working careers. For adults and older folks it can be just fun in itself. There's seemingly some puritanical echoes in the general repeated "reasons" for being IN amateur radio...those leave out the FUN element. I see that as a liability to ham radio promotion, diametrically opposite to being an asset. Is having fun so terrible? Especially having fun while learning a new technology (for newcomers) or new application (for those already experienced)? Perhaps after you've joined some local Amateur clubs and actually get an opportunity to exercise the privileges of your newly acquired license your scope of experience as to what Amateur Radio is, can be, and has been will be enhanced. Recreation IS, to my mind, an asset for all. It is. But no where in Part 97 is the word "recreation" used. That the Amateur Service does provide recreation is a given. But some continue to insist that "recreation" or "hobby use" is ALL that the Amateur Service is required to provide. Almost 100 years of history has proven differently and even in today's techno-saavy society continues to be so. It diverts our stresses from making a living, eases tensions, makes a life experience more enjoyable. If that recreation can also increase individuals' intellectual capacity, I say "so much the better!" Maybe I'm biased having been IN the electronics industry so long (sans 'benefit' of ham license) and maybe because I happen to like the fascinating technology enough that I liked most of my work. It has been a great, stimulating trip for me and it is still happening. It could be for others, too, those who look forward instead of backward to what was, a was that will never be again. There's still plenty of time for you to expand the scope of your HF experience, Len. Drop kick that "commercial operator" mode and re- focus on AMATEUR applications for a while! You'll enjoy it! 73 Steve, K4YZ |
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