"Scott" wrote in message
...
Hi folks.
1) The Amateur Radio Service is not an essential element in our society.
Even in times of emergency, there is nothing you can do with a ham radio
that you can't do with an internet connection, fax machine, land line
telephone, or cell phone in similar circumstances. snip

As experience has shown -- oft times internet connection, fax machine, land
line
telephone, or cell phone services are dead or totally overloaded.


3) From all accounts that I have heard, the number of new Amateur licenses
issued has been declining for years. This would tell me that the best way
to
save the hobby was to open new Hams with open arms, instead of clinging
white-knuckled to the past (packet radio, morse code etc.) look to the
future, and make it fun.

See Ham populations at URL:
http://www.ah0a.org/FCC/Licenses.html

Shows some dips but slow growth overall. 1997 678,473 2004 681,466

1) Can anyone point me towards any resources to assist someone brand new
to
the hobby? (Stuff like recommendations on the type of equipment to get for
the first time buyer)?

Like Ford, Chevy, Dodge -- but for user reviews see URL:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/



3) One more thing...I am looking for information on antennas that is
geared
to the novice.

Tons of antenna projects at URL:
http://ac6v.com/antprojects.htm

--
73 From The Wilderness Keyboard