[50mhz] A leter to President Haynie concerning entry level proposal

[Mike (KA5CVH) Urich]

On 1/11/06, John  Geiger (NE0P) <ne0p at lcisp.com> wrote:

> Here is a letter I just email to ARRL President Haynie concerning his recent comments about the need for an entry level HF license.  If you feel the same as me, maybe you could drop his a line as well.

Mike wrote

John,

There is one factor that you have not taken into consideration to
which I'd like to elaborate on a little.

In and around Houston / San Antonio / Austin / El Paso / Dallas / Ft
Worth it is nearly *_IMPOSSIBLE_* to buy a new home and be able to put
up even the most modest of antennas.  This puts your modest station as
you describe it well beyond the grasps of most hams in these areas. 
Many hams here in the greater Houston are limited to being only able
to operate mobile mostly on the V/UHF FM modes in as much as they can
only get an antenna such as a GP-3 or equiv into the attic at home. 
I've too long heard the argument about not buying a home where you
can't put up antennas but why should a person have to move 50 miles
out of town just for the luxury of pursuing their hobby.  I consider
myself fortunate to be able to have my CX-333 up at 40'.  I have been
told by the HOA Nazi's not to add anything to it or they will bring
legal action against me and unfortunately presently under Texas law
they can *_CONFISCATE_* my property (home) if they were to win a
judgement against me.

Now, OTOH it would be relatively easy to string a 20m dipole through
the attic or even disguise a 40m through the trees if your are
fortunate enough to have them, but as you are aware a dipole on
144/222/432 MHz has little impact outside your neighborhood.  Likewise
many could and do operate HF mobile on their way to and from work due
to these restrictions.

I recall when the 13WPM requirement was dropped there was an outcry
that we would have nothing but "roger-beeps" on 20 meters among other
problems.  With a few exception none of the things that were suppose
to happen ever came to fruition.  While I support your voicing your
opinion and wanting to garner support for it I personally must side
with the other side of the coin.  IMHO, one thing the amateur radio
must come to grasps with is that with very few exceptions the hobby is
vastly in a plug and play mode.  My first rig was a HW-101 and I built
it myself.  With the exception of the Elecrafts name one other kit
that is within the grasps of the average amateur.  Name for me one
commercial rig that you can prop up the hood and work on without
$50,000 of test equipment.  At the current prices of new vs repair
from an economical standpoint if most of my radios were to go south
and let the smoke out it would serve me best to replace them.

YMMV

--
Mike Urich, KA5CVH
http://ka5cvh.com
Amateur radio ~IS~ a contact sport.