[Milsurplus] A Cure for "The Silence of the Bands"

[David Stinson]

There is an answer to our dwindling numbers and bringing
in new, HF-centric operators.  But like all "medicine,"
you'll hate the taste and kick against it, but eventually
have to "take it" if you want a "cure."
The ARRL itself has just pointed-out that the "recruit
all the Boy Scouts and Firemen" didn't and won't work.

There is already a no-knowledge-no-test intro to our
hobby.  It is already a "de facto" entry "license" with
many operators- some bad, some good, but all with a 
proven long-term interest in the hobby and willingness
to spend time and money on it.

It's called "CB." Yep- 11 Meters.  Like it or not,
it's about the only source of operators who aren't 
"buy a hand held, listen to dead repeater, go play Facebook"
left from which to recruit.

Fellas... when your "species" is dying, one needs to be
grateful for any lifeline.  I'm not willing to drown in 
the "Sea of Obsolete Oblivions" just because I don't like
the color of the rope someone threw me.  We need to work
with what we can get, or we can pout and kick sand and pretend
to superiority and fade into the rapidly gathering darkness.

The two services should be merged.  A cadre of hams
*with a positive attitude* who are willing to work
at bringing these guys along, *without condescension*
for pity's sake, and encourage them to upgrade and 
get more bands than the one they currently operate, 
will infuse us with new blood.  
Our options are stark.  Work with what we have available
to us, or die.  Your choice.

P.S. And we'd get 11 Meters back.  Such a deal.

73 DE Dave AB5S