[Hallicrafters] CW and the ruin of amateur radio

[Greg Schindler]

I believe that the old timers are correct in the statement that ham
radio was ruined when the FCC lowered the requirements.  It was then
that many of these same potential mentors put the "if I had to learn it
so should you" attitude to good use.  They abandoned the new No-Code
Techs and left them on there own to try to become decent radio
operators.  But with no active mentors who would actually associate with
the lower class "No-Codes" they had no chance. 

I am an electronics engineer nearing retirement age and I have been on
the periphery of amateur radio since I was 11 years old.  I still have
my SX-146 that my Dad bought me.  Back then we had no idea that there
was a medical reason why I couldn't learn the code but it was enough
that it would keep me out of the hobby until the No-Code class opened
up.  

I feel that I could have had a little to offer but I found what everyone
else found....two meters had turned into another Citizens Band so I
pretty much walked away.  I have been on the air maybe 10 times in the
last ten years.  

It was a great hobby. It just lost it's way.  When we can get past the
"Paid my dues" attitudes it may find it's way back to greatness.

Greg Schindler
KD6HGF