[Lowfer] Rememberances

[Andy - KU4XR]

--- On Fri, 9/5/08, Peter Barick <pbarick at wpo.cso.niu.edu> wrote:
> 
> Beyond that which seems common here, where are the boys
> with electronics of today? I don't see or hear of them.
> I realize all fads have their time, was radio one of them?
> Seems so. Check on all the silver hair seen atttending
> hamfests these days, even the numbers are slipping.
> Internet, Rap music, PC games are all suspect. 

  *******   Still I don't get it.   *******
> 
> Peter
> 

Hey Peter and LOWfers; JUST MY OPINION, nothing more. Years ago, there
was a sticker placed on the back of just about all electronic devices.
" No user servicable parts inside ! Please refer all servicing to a 
qualified service personnel " That sticker didn't mean too much to the
electronically curious back then, most anyone could change a tube.
Notice, that sticker isn't on todays electronic devices, but today; it would be a true-er statement than in years past. Not that many will tackle trying to replace a SMD device. Todays " qualified service personnel " are basically - " Board Swappers " !! You probably strike a valid point on the decline of incoming operators. Case in point; I had echolink on one of my computers right after my wife and I were married. She knew nothing about Ham radio, and this was before I set my station back up. I could get on the computer and talk to anyone in the world. She was fascinated with that. But I set my station up and started stringing all those ugly wires across her pretty yard, the neighbors started asking her what I was doing, and she couldn't tell them. I finally fired up the rig, and she came in the room and asked me to talk to one of those guys down in Australia, and I tried to explain to her that it's not that simple. She said;" well you did it on that
 computer thing in the livingroom, why can't you do it on this radio ? She just can't figure out my fascination with the static and noise that gives her a headache. Our daughter ( 12 ) is a computer addict, a cellphone nut, a " texter " An MP3er. Even the days of the HT have no allure anymore now that there are " 2-way ( Walkie-Talkie ) Cellphones "
GoodBye CW !!! we all remember that, all in the name of progress and change. You can hear the change and progress from that just by listening to our frequencies now.  OH GOSH !! I thought I had busted my soapbox.
Just my opinion ! nothing more.

73, Andy - KU4XR