[ARC5] BC 453 request - ham radio

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 30 Oct 2019 at 23:01, Bob Macklin wrote:

> I'm finding HAM RADIO in general less interesting every year.

Well, I am not. My main interest is traffic-handling. almost all by CW, and that is still quite 
active. I am on the air several times a week doing that or something related to it. Working on 
antennas, trying to improve my station, projects I have had to put off for years due to work.

It still holds my interest.
  
> It's nothing like it was 50 years ago.

Oh, that is definitely true, but I am convinced that our present terrible propagation has a lot 
to do with the lack of contacts on the air. I have never experienced such prolonged and 
rotten conditions in the 63 years I have been an active ham.

> The only time I hear serious activity is on contest days.

Well, yes...

I will say that some of the newer/newest techniques and equipment have made what used to 
be very difficult, much easier these days.

For instance, I recently had to, finally, get a tri-band beam working and installed for my 
traffic-handling work. If I had not had access to a borrowed antenna analyzer, I never would 
have been able to accomplish what I needed to.

And I still love working with WWII mil gear.

Ken W7EKB