"Scott" wrote in message
...
Hi folks.

Please allow me to give a "newbies" view on the current state of amateur
radio, and also ask a few questions.

I recently took my Technicians License exam and passed with a perfect
score.
(I bring up the score just to indicate that I studied hard, and took the
exam seriously). I am now studying to take the 5wpm mores code test. I
have
not yet purchased a radio, or even been "on the air". More on this is a
moment.

Sounds like you're off to a great start.

I have also joined a local radio club, whose first meeting I attended last
night. This club owns and maintains the local 2m repeater, and even though
it is an open repeater, if nothing else, I feel as though by joining, I am
helping to support a service which I plan on eventually using.

Makes good sense.

But what disappoints me is the fact that I left this meeting knowing
absolutely no more than I did when I walked into the door. I had been led
to
believe that one of the best ways for a new guy just becoming involved in
this hobby to get practical advice on things like your first purchase of
equipment, which bands are best for what, and the different applications
of
amateur radio, was to join a club. Well, unfortunately, the majority of
the
meeting I attended was, in my opinion, controlled by a group of 7 or 8
ham
"veterans" trying to impress one another with their technical knowledge.

Sad, truly sad. In the antique car club I belong to we always introduce
new members at the meeting, we also go around the room at least once
so anyone can ask a question, offer a bit of advice, etc. That fosters
even more 1 on 1 conversations after the meeting ends.

So, I guess what I would like to do here is give my views on what I have
seen so far, and invite anyone who is more informed on these matters to
correct me.

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. Ham Radio is a hobby,
and
like golf, gardening, bird watching, or any other hobby, it could cease to
exist tomorrow, and nothing would really change.

Wrong. Amateur radio can and has been the ONLY emergency
communications available in many emergencies. Think for a minute
about the scenario of an emergency. No electricity, no internet,
no fax and in many cases no landline if you don't have a plain vanilla
phone that is powered by the teephone line...and even if the
phone is line powered, many times even basic phone service is
out.

2) To me, the most appealing aspect to Ham Radio is the gaining of
knowledge. Learning the "in's and out's" of all that encompasses Ham Radio
o
peration is the true fun, whether it is dx'ing, satellite, CW or whatever.
But, like building a boat in a bottle, or even doing a crossword puzzle,
the
satisfaction comes in the steps taken to accomplish the task, not the end
result itself.

Different strokes for different folks. Some like the steps, some
the end result. There is no "norm" in my obinion.

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.

Not declining at all...but not growing significantly either.

Thanks for letting me rant folks. Now for some questions.

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)?

You need to tell us more about what type of on-the-air
you want to do.

2) Also, any sources to purchase used equipment. I think I would rather
buy
more functional used stuff, than new equipment that has less "bells and
whistles".

There's always EBAY plus the amateur magazines like QST and CQ.

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

Check out the ARRL web site for the books and
publications they have available.

Cheers and welcome.
Bill K2UNK