[ARRL-OK] Packet radio

[Nate Bargmann]

Interesting observations. Mac and you may well be on to something with
regard to the area immediately surrounding OKC.  This phenomenom is more
widespread than central OK and sadly has been ongoing for years.

I didn't go to Dayton this year, but heard anecdotal evidence that
virtually all of the HF mobile antennas were sold on Friday with few
available the rest of the weekend.  Compact HF rigs as well as many hams
facing property use restrictions have really fueled the explosion in HF
mobile operation over the past 7 or 8 years.  HF still contains much of
the magic of ham radio so that is where most everyone wants to go when
they get into the hobby.

Why repeater use is so low these days is a mystery to me.  Many people
still devote much time to the construction and maintenance of the
machines, but few seem to use them.  Of course life today is more
hectic than ever and that plays a large part.  Some of it may well be
that folks get tired of talking to the same people day after day, but I
know many people on HF talk to the same group day after day as well but
don't seem to tire of it.  Maybe that's not it either.

There certainly is no lack of equipment on 2m and 70cm.  Is there a
general perception that the repeaters are now the training ground of new
hams and the older hams shy away, or is this a stereotype?  Are there
simply too many repeaters?  

It's been months since I last had the opportunity for a nice QSO on a 
repeater, but today it finally happened. A club about 45 mi NW of here 
got their machine back up and I was able to chat with one of the locals
up there for some time this morning.  Was nice to be talking on the 
radio than just listening to talk radio for a while.  Those of you
living in a populated area where you can have a repeater QSO any day of
the week should feel blessed.  Many of us out in the sticks have a
repeater QSO about once in a blue moon.

73, de Nate >>

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