[Boatanchors] A Cure for "The Silence of the Bands"

[manualman at juno.com]

The 11 meter band was never very popular even when it belonged to amateur
radio back in the old days. Plus, besides almost 2 MHz of 10 meters, we
have 12 meters, so why in the world would we need 11 meters. It is a
concept that makes no sense. The CB and amateur radio services are
governed by two completely different government rules and regulations.
The FCC would have to be completely nuts to try and combine both
services, rewrite all the rules, etc. for little to no gain or advantage.
If CB operators have an interest in amateur radio, they can take the test
and join the ranks. The concept is not rocket science.

Although the concept of "casual" conversation may seem to be waning on
the amateur bands in recent months/years, the amount of contest
participation in many on the air contests seems to be growing. So, the
amateur radio activity is there but not in the type of package that many
like or want to see. Driving CB operators to the amateur bands probably
won't change any of that. Amateur radio is not dying; it's evolving into
21st communications with many of the new amateurs. The old days are gone;
get over it; grasp or embrace the new technologies for amateur radio; or
just sit on the front porch and watch it move by.

Pete, wa2cwa



On Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:08:44 +0000 Bry Carling <AF4K at hotmail.com> writes:
> I think he clearly meant that we should try to get the 11m band back 
> for amateur radio.
> 
> 
> A great idea IMHO !!
> 
> 
> Bry AF4K
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> <boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of K2bew 
> <tombewick at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 6:06 AM
> To: Boatanchors
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] A Cure for "The Silence of the Bands"
> 
> I guess you haven't listened to CB lately? It died after the 70's. 
> You
> would need to "merge" Ham radio with cell phones to gain new people, 
> that's
> where they all are. Are you proposing un-licensing  all Ham radio? 
> You've
> gotta be kidding, I hope? I don't even understand what you mean when 
> you
> say take back CB to gain operators?
> 73,
> 
> On Monday, September 18, 2017, David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> > There is an answer to our dwindling numbers and bringing
> > in new, HF-centric operators.  But like all "medicine,"
> > you'll hate the taste and kick against it, but eventually
> > have to "take it" if you want a "cure."
> > The ARRL itself has just pointed-out that the "recruit
> > all the Boy Scouts and Firemen" didn't and won't work.
> >
> > There is already a no-knowledge-no-test intro to our
> > hobby.  It is already a "de facto" entry "license" with
> > many operators- some bad, some good, but all with a
> > proven long-term interest in the hobby and willingness
> > to spend time and money on it.
> >
> > It's called "CB." Yep- 11 Meters.  Like it or not,
> > it's about the only source of operators who aren't
> > "buy a hand held, listen to dead repeater, go play Facebook"
> > left from which to recruit.
> >
> > Fellas... when your "species" is dying, one needs to be
> > grateful for any lifeline.  I'm not willing to drown in
> > the "Sea of Obsolete Oblivions" just because I don't like
> > the color of the rope someone threw me.  We need to work
> > with what we can get, or we can pout and kick sand and pretend
> > to superiority and fade into the rapidly gathering darkness.
> >
> > The two services should be merged.  A cadre of hams
> > *with a positive attitude* who are willing to work
> > at bringing these guys along, *without condescension*
> > for pity's sake, and encourage them to upgrade and
> > get more bands than the one they currently operate,
> > will infuse us with new blood.
> > Our options are stark.  Work with what we have available
> > to us, or die.  Your choice.
> >
> > P.S. And we'd get 11 Meters back.  Such a deal.
> >
> > 73 DE Dave AB5S