I mean this sincerely. I'm NOT in grumpy-old-man mode, though I can do that very well. The majority of QSOs with new people are about as interesting, enduring and deep as a short chat in the checkout line at Safeway. Many aren't even that interesting. PSK ops just throw on a brag tape and walk away. It's a pleasant few minutes, but it rarely leads to anything more. It does happen, but who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars and hours on the outside chance it does? The opportunity for superficial chit chat with strangers was NEVER on my mind at 14 when I got interested in ham radio so it's a bit much to expect teenagers today to care about that.
Ham radio has always been chock full of quick award-qualifying or contest contacts. Worked All Continents, countries, states, provinces, counties, grids, lighthouses, summits, guys named Fred. Go back as far as you want in QST and it's full of honor rolls, contest results...and SKs. It's nothing new to this period in ham radio. But ham radio has also been full of interesting challenges too. It's never been a very homogeneous hobby. I have no predictions except things are rapidly changing and that will continue in whatever direction those entering the hobby take it. The Baofeng Techs will change it as much as us Heathkit Kids did. Change is good. Eric KE6US ______________________________________________________________ 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
