[Milsurplus] time mag blasts hams

[Dick]

FB, Tom...and AMEN!!!

73,

Dick W1NMZ/6
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce Lane" <kyrrin at bluefeathertech.com>
To: "Tom Roach" <kodakfilm at gmail.com>
Cc: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: 03 January, 2005 19:21
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] time mag blasts hams


Good day, Tom,

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 03-Jan-05 at 08:30 Tom Roach wrote:

>Time and technology are slowly putting  HAM radio in the grave. Young
>people today find computers more challenging and a far more reliable
>means of communicating than HAM radio and its now almost absurdly ugly
>[to most neighbors - I love them!!] antennas such as yagis, log
>periodics, quads, dipoles, etc.

<snippety>

>The world moves on and HAM radio, while not embarrassing, is largely
>relegated, as it should be, to the past.

I'm truly sorry you feel that way, and I could not disagree more.

I'm sorry you weren't in the Seattle area to experience what happened in 
February of 2001, when the Nisqually Quake hit. Within minutes after it 
struck, cellphone and landline networks were overwhelmed to the point of 
non-usability.

Guess what continued to work normally?

That's right. Ham radio repeaters. HF rigs. All the equipment necessary to 
establish emergency communications networks. The local ARES and RACES groups 
were very busy that day, I can assure you!

If you truly do not see a purpose for amateur radio as a viable hobby, then 
you should indeed stay away from it.


>
>Tom Roach
>[see my Web site www.tbroach.com to see where my fascination with HF
>radio led me]
>
>
>On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 17:24:01 -0800, Bruce Lane
><kyrrin at bluefeathertech.com> wrote:
>>         In case Time chooses not to publish it, here's a copy of what I
>sent them.
>>
>> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>>
>> Editor, Time Magazine,
>>
>>         I'm writing to offer a response to your article on blogs in the
>Dec. 27th issue. Specifically, to one particular passage quoted here (the
>emphasis is mine):
>>
>>         "Before this year, blogs were a curiosity, a cult phenomenon, a
>> faintly embarrassing hobby on the order of HAM RADIO and stamp
>> collecting..."
>>
>>         I'm certainly glad we have your writers around to set us
>straight. I wasn't aware that being part of the Amateur Radio Service (if
>you want to refer to it as 'ham' radio, that's fine too) was embarassing,
>especially since we:
>>
>>         (1) Provide vital backup communication services in times of
>disaster.
>>         (2) Help to create and promote interest in electronics,
>telecommunications, physics, and other technical fields.
>>         (3) Help to keep military personnel in touch with their families
>back home through the MARS (Military Amateur Radio System) service.
>>         (4) Provide volunteer search-and-rescue services, in conjunction
>with law enforcement and public safety agencies.
>>         (5) Provide supplemental communications for parades (notably the
>Rose Bowl), marathons, and other special events.
>>
>>         I can't speak for my fellow hams, but I've never been in the
>least embarassed to tell others of my hobby, and how much enjoyment that
>myself and many hundreds of thousands of others, all over the world, have
>derived from it. Being an active ham radio operator for the last 28 years
>has helped me to:
>>
>>         (1) Gain a college degree in electronics.
>>         (2) Build critical skills to serve the radio maintenance needs
>of my employer, the Washington State Patrol.
>>         (3) Create a moderately successful home-based side business,
>converting commercial radio equipment to ham use.
>>
>>         I'm going to assume, from your writer's wording, that they are
>also involved with ham radio, and that they find it embarassing. If that's
>the case, perhaps your writer needs to find another hobby.
>>
>> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>>
>>         I really hope they do print it. If not mine, then others. This
>writer really stepped in it, big-time, and most definitely requires a bit
>of a bitch-slap.
>>
>>         Keep the peace(es).
>>
>> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
>> Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy,
>> Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com
>> kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m
>> "If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with
>surreal ports?"
>>
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>>
>
>
>-- 
>Tom Roach
>kodakfilm at gmail.com
>Web site: www.tbroach.com


-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner & Head Hardware Heavy,
Blue Feather Technologies -- http://www.bluefeathertech.com
kyrrin (at) bluefeathertech do/t c=o=m
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with 
surreal ports?"

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