[Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy

[Bob Macklin]

I have not heard an HF AM here in a couple of years because of the Solar
Cycle. I used to hear the NW AM group on 3870 and the Calif group on 14,286.
But no more. When I can detect the NW AM group it is too low a level for me
to copy. I find them by turning on the BFO . I have occasionally heard the
morning West Coast group on 3885(?) but again they have been too weak to
copy comfortably.

There are the Cascade Mtns. and the Cascade foothills between me and the
other people in the NW AM group. The only way I can hear them is if the
signal goes straight up and comes straight back down. That's not happening
now. Hasn't been for a couple of years.

I don't hear much SSB these days except during contests. Then I don't have a
problem.

It seems to me that ham radio has become a CONTESTERS HOBBY!

Bob Macklin
K5MYJ
Seattle, Wa,
"Real Radios Glow in the Dark"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sandy" <ebjr37 at charter.net>
To: "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob at msn.com>; <w9gt at verizon.net>;
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy


> I have been very inactive in the last year due to my XYL having a very bad
> stroke.  She is able to do most things for herself now, but has a very
> severe vision deficit and can't drive anymore.  Also she has a poor short
> term memory and gets very frustrated trying to find things from recent
> memory.
> Before that ( Labor Day 2007) I was fairly active still, but there seemed
to
> be a ever dwindling number of CW stations willing to carry on a QSO other
> than name, RST, QTH and "glad to meet you".  I suspect the older CW
> operators are going "SK" or getting disgusted as there are not many of us
> still around?  There is still a hoarde of contests going on, but not much
> "QSO for fun radio".  I don't know what is happenning on SSB as not too
many
> watering holes where there are people I know anymore.  The newer hams not
> that interested in "radio" except for digital "gee whiz" modes.
>
> I re-joined the ARRL a few months ago and I am appalled at some of the rig
> prices now!  Who can afford $10-15K for a transceiver?  Reminds me of when
I
> was a kid and drooled looking at the new Collins 75A3 the 75A4 and the
KWM1
> and KWM2's!!  My "dream" was the Collins KW-1 then at around $3500 or so
> (early 1950's)
>
> Lost interest in 2 meter FM completely.  I guess the FCC figures the older
> amateurs will all be SK in another 10-20 years and maybe they will have
> "auctioned off" the HF bands by then?  I gather by what's going on that
the
> "radio spectrum" isn't a "public resource" anymore like it used to be.
> Morse seems to be hanging on, but it it looks like it is dying a slow
death
> from on the air activity.
>
> 73,
>
> Sandy W5TVW
>
> Novice ticket in July 1951
> 2nd Class Commercial Radiotelephone in 1952
> Amateur Extra in 1968
> 2nd Class Ship Radiotelegraph in 1968
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob at msn.com>
> To: <w9gt at verizon.net>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 2:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy
>
>
> > All the recent changes to the licensing has done is to open up more of
> > 75/80M to more phone operation.
> >
> >>From my location I don't see any real difference. We have people that
got
> > NOCODE TECH tickets to use the 2M FM repeaters as an alternative to
> > operating on 11M. And these people seem to have no interest in HF
> > operation.
> >
> > Part of the problem may be the entry cost of a HF rig these days. These
> > people could not build their own rigs. The simple QRP SS kits are a
joke.
> > Besides they are CW only. A decent new RICEBOX is over $1K. A decent 2M
FM
> > transceiver is only $200.
> >
> > Another problem may be the HF antenna. Most new homes have restrictions
> > that
> > prohibit HF antennas. But a 2M ground plane can be used because it can
be
> > semi hidden.
> >
> > And the younger generation does not need ham radio because the can go
> > anywhere, anytime on the internet.
> >
> > I see more activity on the eHam and QRZ message boards that I hear on my
> > receivers.
> >
> > Bob Macklin
> > K5MYJ
> > Seattle, Wa,
> > "Real Radios Glow in the Dark"
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "JACK C. SHUTT" <w9gt at verizon.net>
> > To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 12:19 PM
> > Subject: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy
> >
> >
> > You know, I also got my license in the "good old days" of taking the
test
> > (including 20 WPM CW). I took the test before an FCC examiner who
> > instilled
> > terror in the hearts of all willing to participate in the exam process.
> >
> > I must admit that I share the disappointment that many have expressed
> > about
> > the so-called "dumbing down" of the process. At the same time.....I must
> > state that it is not the fault of those new hams, or those recently
> > upgrading, that the licensing requirements have changed!!! It is
certainly
> > the last thing that I would want to do to discourage anyone who is newly
> > licensed or newly acquiring a higher class license. I think we need to
> > move
> > on and welcome new entrants and try to encourage them as well as educate
> > them by setting a good example through our operation and our willingness
> > to
> > help them get started or move into new aspects amateur radio. Our
beloved
> > hobby is going to waste away if we do not encourage more young people
and
> > newcomers to join in the fun. If not true already, soon the number of
> > oldtimers becoming SKs will exceed the number of new entrants.
> >
> > 73, Jack, W9GT
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
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