[Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands

Wed Sep 20 09:00:57 EDT 2017

Demise of TENTECH?
I think I missed that one...
 - Bill H. / va3hwa

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On Mon, Sep 18, 2017 at 10:09 PM, Bry Carling <AF4K at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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:m
> ark.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:k1gg
> i 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:k1gg
> i 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:boatanc
> hors-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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