John Smith wrote:
It is obvious there is a decline in interest in amateur radio, I think the
reasons are many, since the gear is constructed for such a small "nitch" of
users--the equip is expensive--this is only one more reason for the decline.

The equipment *is* expensive if you buy it new. That's always been a
problem.
But it's cheaper now (relative to inflation) than ever before.

I have never heard anyone complain the exams were too difficult (of course,
I am mainly around college age kids who go for a license),

Of course - they have plenty of math and science background, I bet. And
they're used to taking tests.

I got the Advanced in the summer before I entered high school - 1968.

it is always the
code--they hate it--some can be pushed to complete the code to get the
license--after, they simply never use the code again...

I think a lot depends on how something is presented. If the code is
presented as some sort of difficult thing you "have to do", then of
course it's going to be resented.

IMHO the prime time to attract kids to ham radio is middle school and
earlier.

most of these young
fellows are interested in GHz freqs and above...

They don't need to pass a code test to get all amateur radio privileges
above 30 MHz. Just a 35 question written test.

and how a computer can be
interfaced with the radio...

If that's what they're really into, the code test isn't involved at
all.

73 de Jim, N2EY


Warmest regards,
John

wrote in message
oups.com...
John Smith wrote:
By the ARRL own statistics, ham radio is dying

Well, shrinking, anyway. The total number of US hams is down slightly
from the peak of a few years ago, while the total US population
continues to grow.

But I would note that the shrinkage occurred *after* the
April 2000 reductions in both Morse Code and written
testing for all available license classes. IOW, making
the licenses easier to get in 2000 did not result in
sustained growth.

Looking further back, examine the growth from 1990 or 1991 to
2000. (1990 is when medical waivers made it possible to get
any amateur license with a 5 wpm test, and 1991 is when the
Technician lost its code test. Then compare the growth in that
9 year period to the growth in an equal period of time before
1990 or 1991. You'll find that the overall increase in the '80s
was *greater* than in the '90s.

73 de Jim, N2EY