Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas. Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere" (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made". Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form? Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone. A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked repeater systems and HF). So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and frankly expect, built around their smartphones. The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the smartphone. People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is a conversation from a possible radio future. Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready" Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible today - question is will some entity make the investments to make it happen ? Best Regards Andy K3CAQ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net <elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent: Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a distance. Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily basis--experiencing the wonder all over again. While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be stirred. Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG? What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap? Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why? To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need empathetic, open-ended inquiry. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to andy.moorw...@moorcom.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
