[Elecraft] FW: Re:_[Elecraft]_PS_on_The_Complete_DX'r

[Julian, G4ILO]

From: <wbreese@radions.net>

Dear Julian,

I'm at work & unable to reply on the reflector, perhaps you could forward 
for me.

> I'm not saying that people shouldn't run high power and a beam if
> they're  able to, but it's not an option for many people. I don't think
> many of you  folks in that big country of yours know what it's like
> over here. How can  you have a beam and tower  in a garden barely more
> than 30 foot square, and  how can you run high power when the
> neighbours are so close you can't get  good separation between your RF
> and their home electronic equipment? And  I'm afraid I don't see why
> neighbours should love my beam and tower just  because it helps my
> hobby. They paid good money to live in an attractive  neighbourhood:
> what right have I to spoil it?

There are millions of us who live in apartments, and I've spent most of my 
life like that.  Julian, what you're saying is as true here in the U.S. as 
in the U.K. - I am in hearty agreement with you!

When I visited Australia in 1998 they had a 125 Watt limit & no amplifiers 
& I thought what a great first step towards getting along with one's 
neighbors.  If a fellow is rich & lives out on 5 or 10 acres, can show he 
has the space, money, and the knowledge, perhaps a linear & a beam is OK, 
but it has no place in the average setting.
 
> Then there's the issue of cost: there aren't many who can afford to
> spend a  couple of thousand pounds and up on a hobby, especially the
> young, who  we're trying to attract into the hobby. It's hardly
> surprising that the  average age of people you meet on the air is over
> 50: there the only ones  with any disposable income with the mortgage
> paid off and the kids off  their hands.

Here's another sore point.  When I was 17 starting out I got on the air 
with a 6L6 crystal controlled rig.  Yes, it chirped and clicked.  In those 
days we tolerated less than perfect signals.  Now days, the "brotherhood" 
is so demanding that this is no longer an avenue for youngsters starting 
out.  We need to come off our high horses and make entry to the hobby more 
easily afforded - and while we're at it, I learned a lot on that 6L6 the 
beginners today never find out.
 
> 73,
> --
> Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392)
> G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo

Thanks Julian,

Very 73,

TR WB6TMY
 
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