[NLRS] To bad there won't be much activity this weekend.

[Matt Arthur]

Hi all,

Well i think it's really to bad there won't be much activity this weekend.

Seems everyone has other stuff going on.

Well i can understand that.

I will do the naqp on Saturday.

Scence i can only operate 10 hours out of the 12 i will get on some time 
late evening.

But if i don't get at least 10 qso's i will not turn it in.


i think we have a problem.

yYou know there once was a time when hams really got on the air and they 
talked to other hams.

Look at how most hams camunacate now, it's through the internet email 
reflectors and the like.

Could it be the A R R L is kind of behindthis trend as well?

While i love contesting and do alot of it, you still have to get on 
other times besides contest and operating events.

How did learn about vhf anyway?

Well it's because i was out picking crab apples and had my hand held on 
the local repeater over 40 years ago.

I started talking to some one who was on his way back from sd.

He talked all about how he was standing around with his ic 502 and made 
contacts all over with it.

It was because of that conversation i have been on 6 meters andabove. 
Also because of ham radio i have been able to acomplish other things 
completely  unrelated to ham radio.

Even because of ham radio i have been able to make some good money 
because i happen to know a ham who could get me some show or something.

But now we don't talk much on the air unless it's a contest or some event.

I think thisneeds to change.

I really have to blame the didgital modes for this trend and the email 
reflectors.

While the reflectors and all are fine we need to get on the air.


Now take a look at the vhf activity.

There are a few guys on in the morning on two meters.

When six meters is open it's mostly ft8

you really have to work some times to get any one on ssb or cw.

Hell the same thing is happening on hf.

Sure there are big groups but some of us don't realoly like big groups 
either.

Maybe  the ARRl needs to come up with an award to get people just on the 
air.

Not sure but i certainly see a problem.

You should also remember there are alot of people who would love to have 
your vhf uhf frequencies.

So lets let them have it and you can have just one chanal for ft8??

Is this what you want?

I hope not.

Thanks 73 Matt ka0pqw