[Icom] Wall Street Journal Article Putting Down Hams

Thu, 25 Mar 2004 01:56:06 -0000

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
> Behalf Of Bruce Sugarberg
> Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 1:37 AM
> To: [email protected]; [email protected]
> Subject: [Icom] Wall Street Journal Article Putting Down Hams
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> This Wall Street Journal article about hams is so negative, it is
> dangerous.  Something needs to be done to counteract it.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/357ye
>
> Here is why I think that this article is dangerous.
>
> 1st, please read some excerpts from the article:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> the nation's vocal but shrinking population of ham-radio
> operators, or
> "hams" as they call themselves, are stirring up a war with
> the utility
> industry over new power-line communications.

-<SNIP>-
[RANT=ON]

Actually, I think radio is dying anyway.  A few years ago I was really
enjoying satellite.  I even talked to the XYL about selling my 781-2KL-AT500
combo.  Glad I didn't.  The folks on the AMSAT-BB have become so rude I left
that list, and with the death of AO-40, there isn't a whole lot of
satellites left unless you like the single channel FM ones.  Really, I
don't.

Although it has improved some now, many SW bands were not much better.  80m
is a joke.  40m is all BC heterodynes most of the night.  20m is so full you
can't compete without a full KW.  Sure, there are exceptions....  but....

Since retiring from the Army I have taken up shooting Service Rifle, and
Combat Pistol.  Shooters are a very friendly group.  And why not?  It
doesn't pay to P-off somebody with a gun in their hands.  <grin>  And BPL
doesn't stop a bullet.

I have not given up.  I have 6 ham radio "students" every Friday night for
two hours.  The youngest is a 17 y/o EEL.  But reality.... I hope my radios
have some value as antiques, cause I don't see the hobby lasting much longer
against the big $$$ corps who want what we have.  That said, it is still we
who are to blame.  What have YOU done to save radio this week?

[RANT=OFF]

Mike.  KD9KC
El Paso, TX.