Oops sorry, I accidentally posted without comment

N2EY wrote:



In article .net, "KØHB"
writes:


"N2EY" wrote


Yep. It's the annual "vintage radio" issue. Says so right on the cover.

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!


You're welcome.


You make my point exactly!!!


Of course.

I'm very much an ARRL supporter,


And a long-time member...


but an "Annual Vintage Radio Issue" is a
pathetic statement about the technical leadership out of 225 Main Street.


Why is it "pathetic"? A significant number of hams are interested in "vintage"
radio. Just like a significant number of people like antique furniture, classic
cars, oldies music, past films and books, vintage clothing, etc. Doesn't mean
they are "stuck in the past".

I know a 9 year old who is fascinated with Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" -
both the book and the 1949 film version. Is that "pathetic"? How about folks
who restore and drive classic cars like 1960s Corvairs or Triumphs?


Sorta validates LHA's persistent jeremiads about how backward amateurs seem
to him.


The organ grinder plays the same few tunes over and over. No matter what we
hams did, or what the ARRL published, we'd get the same jeremiads from him.
He's not involved. Anyone can sit on the sidelines like he does.


How much nicer if there were an "Annual Future Systems Issue".


Why not? Isn't there room for both?

How many articles have there been in QST over the past few years on PSK, MFSK,
WSJT, digital voice, IRLP.....?

Here you have a pattern, Jim. As much as I like the new modes, All they
are is install the software and hook up the interface. Troubleshooting
is which software switch to change.


How many articles on "future systems" have you submitted? Or anyone else here,
for that matter?

You say you want more "tinkerers". At least the vintage radio folks are
tinkering, and have an idea how their rigs work. They aren;t just buying and
plugging in, with no concept of what goes on behind the panel. Isn't that a
step in the right direction?

I just restored an SB-200. It was great fun resurrecting the old thing,
and I learned a lot about RF amps. They were a mystery to me, and now I
know their simplicity.

I think one reason "vintage" radio has gained popularity is that many hams
*want* to be knowledgeable and skilled in the technical side of radio, but the
"future systems" stuff is too sterile and too inaccessible to them. Look at old
radio mags and see how many "Build This Radio!" articles there were, describing
receivers and transmitters that could be built by someone with a few tools and
some basic knowledge. How much of that do you see in amateur radio magazines
today?

If a 50+ year old transmitter on a wooden chassis can put out a legal signal
and make QSOs, what't the problem? Guess we've got to keep that sort of thing
secret - might cut into Ikensu's sales....

Another way of enjoying the hobby! Now that I am getting my Morse code
up to acceptable speed, I intend to build one of these old sets. I'm
looking forward to working as much as possible while the new hams with
their Ikensu's will be coming on the air at just about the minimim of
the sunspot cycle are trying out their ssb and wondering what all the
fuss about ham radio was about!

- Mike KB3EIA -