[Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

Bry Carling AF4K at hotmail.com
Mon Sep 18 22:09:15 EDT 2017 

Yes, the league was all excited about having 750,000 new hams a few years ago. What I'm noticing now is that the magazines are getting thinner and thinner. Both QST & CQ have less and less ads all the time.

The last of the old-line American radio manufacturers has gone out of business with the demise of TENTEC. A few people probably thought that Heathkit was really coming back and going to make amateur radio equipment.

The trend is toward aggressive QRP marketing and equipment that is not ergonomically sensible. I hope everyone appreciates the big three from Japan and EleCraft. You don't know what you have until you lose it folks.

Best regards - Brian Carling, AF4K





On Sep 18, 2017, at 9:18 PM, Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com<mailto:mark.k3msb at gmail.com>> wrote:

Well of course I didn't see it - too obvious....  Thanks Ed.

Mark K3MSB

On Sep 18, 2017 8:44 PM, "Ed, k1ggi" <k1ggi at comcast.net<mailto:k1ggi at comcast.net>> wrote:
Mark -

http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2017-08-03#toc01

Lead article…

•ARRL Board Explores Entry-Level License Options, Ways to Face Future Challenges

Sixth paragraph, cut/paste of full text…

“ARRL Chief Executive Officer Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, presented the report of six Headquarters staffers who had been tasked with identifying the challenges facing ARRL and devising feasible solutions. Specifically, the committee addressed market research findings that have continued to reveal that only a small percentage of new hams join the League, and only about one-half of new hams actually get on the air.”

Seventh paragraph notes a concern about the league remaining relevant going forward.

The remarkable thing is that the usual fare celebrates Tech-In-A-Day™ or hamcram numbers. Remarkably frank.

73,
Ed, k1ggi

________________________________
From: Mark K3MSB [mailto:mark.k3msb at gmail.com<mailto:mark.k3msb at gmail.com>]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2017 8:12 PM
To: Ed, k1ggi
Cc: boatanchors at qth.net<mailto:boatanchors at qth.net>; Rodger Singley; Bry Carling
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

I just read the Aug 3 Newsletter on the web and did not see that mentioned.  Where is it located in the newsletter?

Mark K3MSB

On Sep 18, 2017 7:27 PM, "Ed, k1ggi" <k1ggi at comcast.net<mailto:k1ggi at comcast.net>> wrote:
Been following this thread and haven't seen mention of this.

The August 3 ARRL Letter included the remarkable tidbit that "market
research findings ... have continued to reveal that only a small percentage
of new hams join the League, and only about one-half of new hams actually
get on the air."

Ed, k1ggi

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net>] On Behalf Of Bry Carling
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 2:10 PM
To: Rodger Singley
Cc: boatanchors at qth.net<mailto:boatanchors at qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

Yes you are right. Lots of repeaters everywhere and very few users.

We keep being told about how wonderful the promotional and incentive efforts
of the ARRL and FCC have been over the last few decades. Easy tests, no Cw!
Now they supposedly have 750,000 license radio amateurs in this country. I
think they are all typing on Facebook instead of using their ham radio
equipment. Even with all the fancy menu driven rigs, digital modes, WSPRs ,
satellites and Internet based operating aids, I think Amateur radio was
better off in many ways in the 1970s when you first started. It's truly
difficult to find somebody that wants a conversation nowadays. Plenty of
people want to push a button and send a number and that is enough for them
to be satisfied. Sad!

Best regards - Bry Carling, AF4K





On Sep 17, 2017, at 1:40 PM, Rodger Singley
<wq9nsc at live.com<mailto:wq9nsc at live.com><mailto:wq9nsc at live.com<mailto:wq9nsc at live.com>>> wrote:

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

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
10

From: RAY FRIESS<mailto:rayfrijr at msn.com<mailto:rayfrijr at msn.com>>
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2017 12:30 PM
To: Glen Zook via Boatanchors<mailto:boatanchors at mailman.qth.net<mailto:boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>>; B
Farrell<mailto:bradk4rt at gmail.com<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.

Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone


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