wrote:
Michael Coslo wrote:

wrote:

. . . then there was the legendary traffic handler Mae Burke W3CUL who
was a neighborhood housewife . .

I can't imagine any person becoming a Ham because they simply want to
"chat with someone around the world".


Whew, that brings up a tale Michael . . I know at least one ham who has
done just that for decades.

About the time WW2 ended I got into building crystal sets then I moved
into cobbling together simple tube-type receivers based on articles in
Pop Science and Pop Mechanics. The DXing bug had already bitten based
on my fascination with finding far off stations in the high end of the
AM BC band with the BC radios my folks had. The die was cast: I was
into radio big time but I was basically clueless about ham radio until
I eventually started SWLing and found scads of hams yakking on 75 & 40
AM.

I was also a Cub Scout around that point in time. One night there was a
civil defense drill which I discovered would include ham radio
communications and the Cub pack. That opportunity really rang my chimes
and I wormed my way into becoming a messenger boy for one of the
mobiles.

The ham and I motored around town passing traffic back and forth
amongst the hams and the simulated "disaster sites", etc. That was my
first exposure to hands-on ham radio. The ham was Gene Reynolds W3EAN
who went out of his way to answer my unending stream of questions that
night. I probably drove him nuts but I think he enjoyed it. There was
no turning back after that night, I was gonna become a ham.

I enjoyed the story, Brian. But I gotta break in here. What you have
described is the real reason that people become hams. You were bitten by
the bug, and it sounds like no one was going to stop you from becoming one.

I too was hooked early in life, although it took a long time to finally
get my ticket. I'm just P****d that I didn't get it years earlier.

The idea of "recruiting" people into the ARS is likely never going to
work - at least as far as snagging people that are thinking about a
hobby, but don't know what to pick up.

If you wanna be a Ham - you *know* it.


A number of years later I ran into Gene again amongst the DXing and
contesting crowd around here. In addition to being a DXer Gene was also
a fundamentalist "radio missionary" who used his station to "take the
word" particularly to Russians by "chatting with someone around the
world" as you put it. Thousands of times! Check his bio in QRZ.com, I
think you'll enjoy it.

Just did, and it was very enjoyable. I hope I run in to him on the air
sometime.


In the first place most of my DX contacts are pretty terse, and don't
fulfill any "chatting needs". Not that I have chatting needs!


It's also considered impolite to tie up dx stations with chats unless
they initiate them.


There certainly are women in Ham radio, and although a minority, they
are probably no more of a minority than women's representation in other
technical fields. This would mean that any problem is shared with those
other technical fields, and not a Ham radio specific problem.


Exactly. Let's hope this "Smith" clown has the same short attention
span others of his ilk have demonstrated in the past and wanders off
the list. He's even posting his mindless drivel in the Mech Eng and
dot.antennas NGs for gawd's sake. .

I noticed that.


- Mike KB3EIA -


w3rv

(PS) Yo Micollis: Duty beckons. One of Gene's OLD and I mean *old*
dxing buddies is Nate W3CNP, the guy you sat with when he ran a few Qs
on 20CW at the last of our Clayton Park FD "experiences". Check his
particulars in QRZ.com. I ran into him a few weeks ago at K3PAQ's
memorial service, he's fine. Nate's ticket is floating in the grace
period. I got EAN set up to renew, now it's *your* turn, launch Nate on
his way. We need all the far-end geezers we can get properly licensed
to keep the average age up in the hobby.

A local oldster was inquiring as to when his license expired, because
he couldn't find his F.C.C. Wallpaper. We help him figure it out. We
need to keep the geezers on the air. I love talking to them. I hope
someone is looking out for me when I'm 91!

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

[snip]

The idea of "recruiting" people into the ARS is likely never going to
work - at least as far as snagging people that are thinking about a hobby,
but don't know what to pick up.

If you wanna be a Ham - you *know* it.


I must disagree to some extent with this, Mike. There are people who would
love being hams if only they knew about it and knew what it was like. I
never knew I wanted to be a ham until after I became one. My ex dragged me
to a ham class as something we could do together and I have to admit that it
did not sound interesting at the time. I found that it was something I
liked and now I would fight tooth and nail to keep my license.

If we are going to "recruit," we need to find those who would like it but
haven't had the opportunity to know about it or to know enough about it.

[snip]

A local oldster was inquiring as to when his license expired, because he
couldn't find his F.C.C. Wallpaper. We help him figure it out. We need to
keep the geezers on the air. I love talking to them. I hope someone is
looking out for me when I'm 91!


I hope so too. I had the great pleasure and honor of speaking with W5BQU
(Big, Quick, and Ugly) a year or two before he passed away. He was over 100
at the time and still in pretty good control of his faculties and still with
a zest for life, enjoying those things he still could do.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee:

I really can't believe some are so devoted to arguing as this while
amateur radio declines...

First, I DO believe there is a problem with the numbers of licenses...

Second, there have been things tried, and there are just echos here of
RE-TRYING failed ideas here--they didn't work then, they won't work now!

Third, I don't think anyone here is into any real want to do anything
better--most are locked in a state of firm and heavy denial and the
numbers must drop much more before this will improve...

Fourth, I DO believe time and Jim Haynie will provide real
fixes--eventually...

Fifth, my opinion is that almost everyone here, to the last man/woman,
is going to let things go to hell for their own self-interests--and that
to me is as disgusting as someone masturbating in public--NO ONE ELSE
ENJOYS IT!

John

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

[snip]

The idea of "recruiting" people into the ARS is likely never going to
work - at least as far as snagging people that are thinking about a
hobby, but don't know what to pick up.

If you wanna be a Ham - you *know* it.


I must disagree to some extent with this, Mike. There are people who
would love being hams if only they knew about it and knew what it was
like. I never knew I wanted to be a ham until after I became one. My
ex dragged me to a ham class as something we could do together and I
have to admit that it did not sound interesting at the time. I found
that it was something I liked and now I would fight tooth and nail to
keep my license.

If we are going to "recruit," we need to find those who would like it
but haven't had the opportunity to know about it or to know enough
about it.

[snip]

A local oldster was inquiring as to when his license expired, because
he couldn't find his F.C.C. Wallpaper. We help him figure it out. We
need to keep the geezers on the air. I love talking to them. I hope
someone is looking out for me when I'm 91!


I hope so too. I had the great pleasure and honor of speaking with
W5BQU (Big, Quick, and Ugly) a year or two before he passed away. He
was over 100 at the time and still in pretty good control of his
faculties and still with a zest for life, enjoying those things he
still could do.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

John Smith wrote:
Dee:

I really can't believe some are so devoted to arguing
as this while amateur radio declines...

You're arguing more than anyone here at the moment, John.

First, I DO believe there is a problem with the numbers
of licenses...

OK, fine. How much are the numbers down, percentagewise, from
the peak? How about the ratio of hams to the overall population?

Show us some solid numbers.

Second, there have been things tried,
and there are just echos here of
RE-TRYING failed ideas here--they didn't work then,
they won't work now!

I agree!

In 1987, 1990, 1991, and 2000, the test requirements for an FCC-issued
amateur license were successively reduced. The greatest
reduction came in 2000, when the code tests were reduced from
three speeds to one, and the written tests reduced from 5 tests
totalling 190 questions to three tests totalling 120 questions.

And yet the numbers are now declining.

Third, I don't think anyone here is into any real want to do
anything
better--most are locked in a state of firm and heavy denial and the
numbers must drop much more before this will improve...

I'm for doing something better. But what I think of as better, you
dismiss.

Fourth, I DO believe time and Jim Haynie will provide real
fixes--eventually...

The FCC makes the rules...

Fifth, my opinion is that almost everyone here, to the last
man/woman,
is going to let things go to hell for their own
self-interests--

That includes you, John.

Which of your own self-interests are you willing to sacrifice?

and that
to me is as disgusting as someone masturbating in public--NO
ONE ELSE ENJOYS IT!

Somehow I don't think you're the ideal person to present amateur radio
to young people...

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

[snip]

The idea of "recruiting" people into the ARS is likely never going to
work - at least as far as snagging people that are thinking about a
hobby, but don't know what to pick up.

If you wanna be a Ham - you *know* it.


I must disagree to some extent with this, Mike. There are people who
would love being hams if only they knew about it and knew what it was
like. I never knew I wanted to be a ham until after I became one. My
ex dragged me to a ham class as something we could do together and I
have to admit that it did not sound interesting at the time. I found
that it was something I liked and now I would fight tooth and nail to
keep my license.

So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples - demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?

If we are going to "recruit," we need to find those who would like it
but haven't had the opportunity to know about it or to know enough
about it.

I say you toss it out there for everyone.

[snip]

A local oldster was inquiring as to when his license expired, because
he couldn't find his F.C.C. Wallpaper. We help him figure it out. We
need to keep the geezers on the air. I love talking to them. I hope
someone is looking out for me when I'm 91!


I hope so too. I had the great pleasure and honor of speaking with
W5BQU (Big, Quick, and Ugly) a year or two before he passed away. He
was over 100 at the time and still in pretty good control of his
faculties and still with a zest for life, enjoying those things he
still could do.

I've been a ham for 38 years now and I hope I'm not even halfway done
yet.

73 de Jim, N2EY

wrote in message
oups.com...
John Smith wrote:
Dee:


[snip]

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


[snip]


So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples - demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?

Yes I needed to know what it was all about before developing an interest in
radio for it's own sake. The Novice/Tech class I took along with my husband
at the time filled that role.

Once I had some basic knowledge about ham radio, I was attracted by the fact
that it was NOT like the internet. What attracted me was that I could talk
around the world with NO INFRASTRUCTURE. That communications was totally
dependent on me and my skills and my knowledge of propagation once I had the
basic radio and antenna. Here I, just an average citizen, could put a radio
signal around the world and even beyond if I wanted to pursue it.

If it had been like the internet, I'd probably have lost interest.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee:

Down load Mirc (it is free) if you have a windows machine (if apple
there are other programs)and learn to IRC... you will find you have been
missing a lot..

John

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
John Smith wrote:
Dee:


[snip]

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


[snip]


So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples -
demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?

Yes I needed to know what it was all about before developing an
interest in radio for it's own sake. The Novice/Tech class I took
along with my husband at the time filled that role.

Once I had some basic knowledge about ham radio, I was attracted by
the fact that it was NOT like the internet. What attracted me was
that I could talk around the world with NO INFRASTRUCTURE. That
communications was totally dependent on me and my skills and my
knowledge of propagation once I had the basic radio and antenna. Here
I, just an average citizen, could put a radio signal around the world
and even beyond if I wanted to pursue it.

If it had been like the internet, I'd probably have lost interest.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

John Smith wrote:
Dee:

Down load Mirc (it is free) if you have a windows machine (if apple
there are other programs)and learn to IRC... you will find you have been
missing a lot..

DIfferent strokes for different folks, John. Internet Relay Chat is for
some of us just about the *least* interesting facet of the Internet.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Dee:

Down load Mirc (it is free) if you have a windows machine (if apple there
are other programs)and learn to IRC... you will find you have been missing
a lot..

John


Tried it and didn't like it. The magic of ham radio is that you don't need
an infrastructure such as the internet.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

John Smith wrote:

Dee:



[snip]


"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...



[snip]


So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples - demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?


Yes I needed to know what it was all about before developing an interest in
radio for it's own sake. The Novice/Tech class I took along with my husband
at the time filled that role.

I have to note that in an earlier post where you disagreed with me
about a person "knowing" they wanted to be a ham, after reading this, I
have to agree that the things that I most enjoy now are nothing like
what I thought I wanted to do when first becoming a ham.

Which of course is a powerful argument for keeping the Morse code test.

Once I had some basic knowledge about ham radio, I was attracted by the fact
that it was NOT like the internet. What attracted me was that I could talk
around the world with NO INFRASTRUCTURE. That communications was totally
dependent on me and my skills and my knowledge of propagation once I had the
basic radio and antenna. Here I, just an average citizen, could put a radio
signal around the world and even beyond if I wanted to pursue it.

If it had been like the internet, I'd probably have lost interest.

Although I use the Internet a lot (probably waay too much) I love Ham
radio precisely because it ISN'T the Internet.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Mike Coslo wrote:
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
John Smith wrote:
Dee:

[snip]

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...



[snip]


So what you really needed was exposure - publicity - examples - demos.

Were you attracted to amateur radio because it was like the internet,
or because it was something very different?

Yes I needed to know what it was all about before developing an interest in
radio for it's own sake. The Novice/Tech class I took along with my husband at the time filled that role.

"Radio for its own sake" - that's the key to amateur radio. If
someone is turned on by that, they may want to be a ham. If not,
it's highly doubtful.

I have to note that in an earlier post where you disagreed
with me
about a person "knowing" they wanted to be a ham,
after reading this, I
have to agree that the things that I most enjoy now
are nothing like
what I thought I wanted to do when first becoming a ham.

Which of course is a powerful argument for
keeping the Morse code test.

Exactly.

When I first got started with a shortwave receiver (homemade),
I was attracted to ham radio by the folks on 75 meter AM. I
wanted to join them, so I set about getting a license.

In those days, that meant at least a General Class license,
so I set about learning the code and theory, and setting up
a station. Got the Novice at age 13 in 1967 and went on the
air with Morse Code.

Now originally the plan was to use Morse Code on the air until
I could get the General. But a funny thing happened on the way -
I discovered how much fun Morse Code was, and how much could be
done with very simple equipment using Morse Code. And it became my
favorite mode.

Once I had some basic knowledge about ham radio, I was
attracted by the fact
that it was NOT like the internet. What attracted me
was that I could talk
around the world with NO INFRASTRUCTURE. That
communications was totally
dependent on me and my skills and my knowledge of
propagation once I had the
basic radio and antenna. Here I, just an average citizen,
could put a radio
signal around the world and even beyond if I wanted to
pursue it.

That's the hook for me, too. Plus doing it with equipment I
designed and built myself.

If it had been like the internet, I'd probably have lost
interest.

Although I use the Internet a lot (probably waay too much) I
love Ham
radio precisely because it ISN'T the Internet.

Same here.

The big difference is that the 'net is a means to an end. Ham radio is
an end in itself.

73 de Jim, N2EY