[ARC5] "What's Old is New..."

[Leslie Smith]

Hello Jeep,

Yes, certainly there is zero (or near zero) interest in CW.  (There are
a few die-hard CW operators left).   The time when radio amateurs could
provide a pool of competent technology (for public service) will soon be
gone.  Even graduate engineers may be of limited service due to lack of
knowledge caused by mass production.
I see all this wonderfully complex technology as fragile.  When it's
going - well, it's the "bees knees".  But you could easily tell me a
dozen ways the entire system could crash (and a virus is only one
potential problem).   On the other hand, even if every satellite fell
out of the sky, some form of basic comms could be provided by HF/CW/SSB
or VHF/FM.   Again, contrasting complexity and reliability, digital
broadcasting is certainly superior to the AM broadcast band - but the
coverage and simplicity of AM broadcast says a great deal for keeping
some AM/MF service alive for Tornadoes, floods and so on.  I worry about
the loss of services in storms (and so on).
 I easily hear the ABC broadcast in Sydney (100km distant) day and
 night.  In the evening I regularly LISTEN to ABC "local" from Brisbane
 (1000km distant).  This is on a cheap clock radio such as I can buy for
 $10 in any "el-cheapo" shop.  My "toy" home-brew sets receive the same
 broadcasts easily (including a 2 tube 2-transistor superhet).
Here, in Australia, we see the mobile phone service "die" during
cyclones (tornadoes).  Now, with the advent of broadband, power is
needed IN MY HOME to run the landline phone service.  The time is gone
when the power for the tel system was at the exchange.  I have seen
times when I had no power for 4 days (and longer in other places).  No
mobile service, no landline - I see problems, including loss of life
during storms (and so on).
However, one problem with my argument is this:  That the equipment
(and training) needed to provide HF/SSB (or VHF/FM) is quickly
disappearing too ...
New is good, (mostly better) but basic equipment can provide basic
service when elaborate systems fail.
None of this involves "command" radio, (and is therefore irrelevant)
but I think some on this list will agree.Others will deny my observation completely.

   73 de Les Smith
   vk2bcu at operamail.com



On Wed, Aug 9, 2017, at 02:56, jeepp wrote:
> Wayne,
> There is currently zero interest in cw. With the wholesale
> implementation of the NTIA Red Book some time ago, the number of
> amateur radio ( hence qualified cw operators)  went way down as
> virtually all amateur equipment was said to be non-compliant.  By that
> action, CAP was able to convince the DoD that funds were necessary for
> new equipment, HF SSB and VHF FM.  Unlike MARS and other Govt.
> agencies, no waivers or accomodation (clearly available) were
> requested by CAP.  This still a hot political topic in many circles.> Jeep K3HVG (50+ years in CAP)
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE smartphone
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Robert  Eleazer <releazer at earthlink.net> 
> Date: 8/8/17  12:32  (GMT-05:00) 
> To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net 
> Subject: [ARC5] "What's Old is New..." 
> 
> 
> Back in the mid-70's I was surprised and disappointed to find that the
> Civil Air Patrol ran its own HF radio networks, using SSB - but that
> CW/Morse was not allowed without special permission from the local
> commander.> 
>
> One would think that such organizations would be a reservoir of
> expertise in that crowbar-simple highly reliable means of
> communication, but the reverse proved to be true.> 
> Wayne
> 
> WB5WSV   
> 
>  
> Virus-free. www.avg.com[1]
> 
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