[Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

[Rodger Singley]

Up until a few years ago I would carry a 2 meter rig with me when heading to the TN Smoky Mountains because there was an active group of friendly hams there on 2 meters but I got out of the habit and no longer even bring one there with me which is probably a mistake.  When I first started taking my then very young daughter hiking deep in the park I would carry my Yaesu VX5R with me in case of emergency since there was no cellphone coverage once well inside the park but 2 meter coverage was great with the mountain top located repeaters in the area.

I was first licensed as a novice in Feb. 1975 and quickly moved up to advanced class and along the way I picked up a Regency HR-2B with a few crystal pairs and enjoyed operation on 2 meters then but haven’t talked to anyone on 2 meter FM in maybe 5 or 6 years.  I use a multimode FT-736R on 2 once in awhile for SSB and CW but that is it.

Autopatch operation briefly swelled 2 meter ranks but cheap and reliable cellphone service quickly reduced the draw of that function.  I do find it humorous that the available pairs are full or nearly full in most areas with the requisite tone access and NO users.

Rodger WQ9E

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From: RAY FRIESS<mailto:rayfrijr at msn.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 12:30 PM
To: Glen Zook via Boatanchors<mailto:boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; B Farrell<mailto:bradk4rt at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

I travel all over the country for my work, and I've found that repeater use is on the decline or nonexistent, even though every frequency pair is occupied.  Not a lot of ragchewing or anything.  I've identified so people would know I'm around and gotten no response.  I think its because of newcomers who have had it taught that vhf and fm and repeaters are primarily there for ECOMM.  A lot of times, I don't even take my HT out of my suitcase because I think there will be nothing going on.  I miss the old days of AM, FM, and CW on the vhf bands, especially 2 meters.  Tuning across the band and hearing a signal and answering a call, even with simple rigs like a Twoer on 2 meter AM.   Converting old GE and Motorola rigs for two meters.

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