Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:22:26 -0400 "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Pete - > > Apparently you missed the part I said about today's gear being too > much like what they already have and use without need for a license: > like a cellphone, the internet, or whatever else. I've been working in > the public service side of ham radio at least since 1984, and I've > been doing public demonstrations of vintage gear almost as long, on my > own as well as with folks like W1RC, K1MVP and others. I can say with > certainty, from firsthand experience - kids LOVE old radios. **Yep, and besides old radios, they also like old fire trucks, police cars, airplanes, toy trains, etc. too. Just liking old radios does not prepare them for the amateur radio of today and tomorrow. They may be great to look at, but they sure don't prepare them for the technology of today. > > Besides radio clubs, I've worked at, organized, or put on displays at > schools, government meetings, and public shopping malls for community > awareness days and such. I don't think it's a case of my needing to > get out more, Pete - I think more likely it's a case of you needing to > remove those rose-colored glasses that have 'A.R.R.L' stenciled across > the lenses. **My only mention of the ARRL was to view some examples. Not sure what you're reading into this. But, I do like my "rose-colored glasses" as much as my "men-in-black" glasses. > It's not just my opinion that the 'League' has been more > focused on selling books and subscriptions for the last 30 or more years. **Maybe you should offer them some alternative suggestions to generating additional revenue for fighting BPL, Emergency Communications Training, ARRL services, Salaries, general operating costs, etc., etc. I don't see where they have many revenue generators at this time. If 'saving amateur radio' means dumbing it down until > absolutely no one wants to be part of it (think 'CB'), then your > approach works just fine. **I see more amateurs today "putting it down" than "dumbing it down". > My experience in recent years has been that > people, including kids, relate FAR more to 'glowing tubes and dancing > meters' with respect to radio than they do with a plug and play piece > of plastic. **Yep, and kids like going to parades and seeing all the vintage Model T's and vintage fire trucks too, but it doesn't reflect today's world either. It's great and important to keep radio history alive in the minds of young and old. There is a point to teaching history in the classrooms. But, "glowing tubes and dancing meters" is what it is, a piece of history, kept alive by a small group of dedicated amateurs that we're both part of. It does not reflect the future of amateur radio and the direction that we should be pointing the future amateur radio members. > No different than the general public still relating the > dits and dahs of CW with radio, which is why so many examples in film > and TV still use this and other 'outdated' clips to get the point across. **It sounds better then listening to a digital packet burst. CW has audible rhythm, a packet burst doesn't. > I'd be curious to know what *your* experiences have been in the way of > public service, demonstrations, and whatever else to support your > approach. It's easy to post links to what others have done or are > doing, it's a whole lot different to be out there doing it. **I'm not going to get into a boy's locker room, show and tell with you: "you show me yours and I'll show you mine" If you're interested, you can review the activities of some of the clubs I'm associated with, up on the ARRL web site under NNJ Section and Hudson Division. > I'm willing to accept that the ARRL does serve a purpose, Pete. I just > don't think it does anywhere near the job it is capable of, or likes > to portray itself as doing. I've been a member twice, I won't be again > until the biased and arrogant mentality of much of the leadership has > changed. For some of them, it's just like a political position: it > becomes more of a career and less a case of 'serving the > constituents'. ARRL is supposed to represent all hams equally, not > simply the group that sells the most new Yaecomwood radios for their advertisers. **I bet this is the perceived back-door politics and alleged conspiracies that several people have alluded to over the last few years. Pete, WA2CWA
[AMRadio] Antenna for sale
Anyone close to Orange County California who is interested in a Tennadyne T-8 log perodic 10-12-15-17-20 antenna? About one year old still sitting on roof, excellent condition and will sacrifice it for much less than I paid for it. Pick up only in Irvine, will take apart for you, manual, instructions etc. Antenna is surplus to my needs. Reply only to my direct email at [EMAIL PROTECTED], Not to the reflector. 73's Ron W6OM Ron Weaver - W6OM - FO5VO www.qsl.net/w6om
[AMRadio] RE: Petition Pending
Unless I have misunderstoof the document, the author has left out the Technician licensees completely. Also seems to have kicked novices with morse code off HF. PJ Pete -- I laughed out loud -- let me help you out: http://www.geocities.com/k3xf/Rver124F.pdf
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
Touché Todd! I don't think I could have stated that any better. Mike(y) W3SLK - Original Message - From: "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of AM Radio" Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:22 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending On 6/22/05, peter markavage <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Glowing tubes and dancing meters may have worked 30, 40, and 50 years ago > as an enticement, but that's past generation, It has little use as a > carrot in today's world. Pete - Apparently you missed the part I said about today's gear being too much like what they already have and use without need for a license: like a cellphone, the internet, or whatever else. I've been working in the public service side of ham radio at least since 1984, and I've been doing public demonstrations of vintage gear almost as long, on my own as well as with folks like W1RC, K1MVP and others. I can say with certainty, from firsthand experience - kids LOVE old radios. Besides radio clubs, I've worked at, organized, or put on displays at schools, government meetings, and public shopping malls for community awareness days and such. I don't think it's a case of my needing to get out more, Pete - I think more likely it's a case of you needing to remove those rose-colored glasses that have 'A.R.R.L' stenciled across the lenses. It's not just my opinion that the 'League' has been more focused on selling books and subscriptions for the last 30 or more years. If 'saving amateur radio' means dumbing it down until absolutely no one wants to be part of it (think 'CB'), then your approach works just fine. My experience in recent years has been that people, including kids, relate FAR more to 'glowing tubes and dancing meters' with respect to radio than they do with a plug and play piece of plastic. No different than the general public still relating the dits and dahs of CW with radio, which is why so many examples in film and TV still use this and other 'outdated' clips to get the point across. I'd be curious to know what *your* experiences have been in the way of public service, demonstrations, and whatever else to support your approach. It's easy to post links to what others have done or are doing, it's a whole lot different to be out there doing it. In the meantime, you can check just a couple of links: http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vem/races/index.html http://www.ranv.org/news/ranvapr1.html Couldn't find the report from the Milton hamfest a couple years back (we didn't present one this year) when the old radio forum put on by Mike, Rene, and I drew more attendees than the 'big' ARRL state convention held at the same time. Yes, there were several high school students present. I'm willing to accept that the ARRL does serve a purpose, Pete. I just don't think it does anywhere near the job it is capable of, or likes to portray itself as doing. I've been a member twice, I won't be again until the biased and arrogant mentality of much of the leadership has changed. For some of them, it's just like a political position: it becomes more of a career and less a case of 'serving the constituents'. ARRL is supposed to represent all hams equally, not simply the group that sells the most new Yaecomwood radios for their advertisers. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
Bob, great to have you rejoin our great hobby. I have been licensed for 49 years now but am learning something new every day. I never imagined back in 1955 that I would be so soon become an "old timer." David, W3ST Publisher of the Collins Journal Secretary to the Collins Radio Association To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com Nets: 3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EST and 14250 Khz Saturday, 12 Noon EST - Original Message - From: "Bob Macklin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of AM Radio" Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 3:12 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > David Knepper commented: > > "Let's look at another generation that may be more turned on to ham radio - > our Senior citizens. I believe that there are many in the 55 and older > cohert who would love to get their ticket so they could spend their idle > time talking to hams around the world." > > I am one of those Senior Citizens that returned to ham radio after > retirement. I dropped out in 1972 because of an employment situation. > > In 2002 I reinstated my ticket with my original 1957 call. I started > accumulating Heath BoatAnchors mostly from eBay and restoring them to > working condition. I have met many other OF "RETREADS" that are doing the > same thing I have done. And none are interested in the new solid state > riceboxes. > > Many of us have also almost been turned off to the current state of ham > radio by reading the eHam and QRZ message boards. > > Most of us are old CW and AM operators. > > I have 3 2M FM riceboxes. They are so complicated to operate I have to keep > the instuction manuals handy. And the panels an displays are too small for > people my age(70+). > > Bob Macklin > K5MYJ/7 > Seattle, Wa. > > "REAL RADIOS GLOW IN THE DARK" > > - Original Message - > From: "David Knepper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Discussion of AM Radio" > Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 8:56 AM > Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > > > > That brave, young Boy Scout, who was found yesterday after five harrowing > > days lost in the Utah wilderness, soon after munching down some Granola > > bars, asked if he could borrow a cell phone to play a video game. Does > that > > tell you anything about the interests of young people? > > > > Let's look at another generation that may be more turned on to ham radio - > > our Senior citizens. I believe that there are many in the 55 and older > > cohert who would love to get their ticket so they could spend their idle > > time talking to hams around the world. My point is that, perhaps, we > should > > be enticing our Seniors to join our ranks. Just listen on the bands > during > > the day and you find lots of retirees enjoying their hobby. > > > > A excellent meeting place for our Seniors is the local senior activity > > center in your neighborhood. Ask the senior center director if you could > > make a demonstration of ham radio while enjoying lunch with these > wonderful > > folks. You might want to contact your County Agency on Aging and speak to > > the administrator in charge. > > > > Thanks for listening. > > > > David, W3ST > > Publisher of the Collins Journal > > Secretary to the Collins Radio Association > > To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com > > Nets: 3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EST and 14250 Khz Saturday, 12 > Noon > > EST > > > > - Original Message - > > From: "peter markavage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: > > Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:15 PM > > Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 09:56:45 -0400 "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > writes: > > > > > I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be > > > > more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back > > > > through > > > > public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away > > > > licenses hasn't done it, and won't. > > > > > > Here's four recent examples off the ARRL site. Many clubs also have > > > activities that target public service, school visits, or other > > > demonstrations. You need to get out more from behind the gowing tubes > and > > > dancing meters and see what's really happening with today's youth and > > > amateur radio. > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/16/1/?nc=1 > > > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/09/3/?nc=1 > > > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/03/100/?nc=1 > > > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/05/17/1/?nc=1 > > > > > > >Today's radio gear resembles the > > > > computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on > > > > a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing > > > > tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. > > > > > > > > > Even some of us "seasoned hams" enjoy the flexibility, performance, and > > > the wealth of options that today's rigs provide us. I fail to see how > > > showing the youth of
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
David Knepper commented: "Let's look at another generation that may be more turned on to ham radio - our Senior citizens. I believe that there are many in the 55 and older cohert who would love to get their ticket so they could spend their idle time talking to hams around the world." I am one of those Senior Citizens that returned to ham radio after retirement. I dropped out in 1972 because of an employment situation. In 2002 I reinstated my ticket with my original 1957 call. I started accumulating Heath BoatAnchors mostly from eBay and restoring them to working condition. I have met many other OF "RETREADS" that are doing the same thing I have done. And none are interested in the new solid state riceboxes. Many of us have also almost been turned off to the current state of ham radio by reading the eHam and QRZ message boards. Most of us are old CW and AM operators. I have 3 2M FM riceboxes. They are so complicated to operate I have to keep the instuction manuals handy. And the panels an displays are too small for people my age(70+). Bob Macklin K5MYJ/7 Seattle, Wa. "REAL RADIOS GLOW IN THE DARK" - Original Message - From: "David Knepper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of AM Radio" Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 8:56 AM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > That brave, young Boy Scout, who was found yesterday after five harrowing > days lost in the Utah wilderness, soon after munching down some Granola > bars, asked if he could borrow a cell phone to play a video game. Does that > tell you anything about the interests of young people? > > Let's look at another generation that may be more turned on to ham radio - > our Senior citizens. I believe that there are many in the 55 and older > cohert who would love to get their ticket so they could spend their idle > time talking to hams around the world. My point is that, perhaps, we should > be enticing our Seniors to join our ranks. Just listen on the bands during > the day and you find lots of retirees enjoying their hobby. > > A excellent meeting place for our Seniors is the local senior activity > center in your neighborhood. Ask the senior center director if you could > make a demonstration of ham radio while enjoying lunch with these wonderful > folks. You might want to contact your County Agency on Aging and speak to > the administrator in charge. > > Thanks for listening. > > David, W3ST > Publisher of the Collins Journal > Secretary to the Collins Radio Association > To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com > Nets: 3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EST and 14250 Khz Saturday, 12 Noon > EST > > - Original Message - > From: "peter markavage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: > Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:15 PM > Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > > > > > > On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 09:56:45 -0400 "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > writes: > > > > I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be > > > more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back > > > through > > > public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away > > > licenses hasn't done it, and won't. > > > > Here's four recent examples off the ARRL site. Many clubs also have > > activities that target public service, school visits, or other > > demonstrations. You need to get out more from behind the gowing tubes and > > dancing meters and see what's really happening with today's youth and > > amateur radio. > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/16/1/?nc=1 > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/09/3/?nc=1 > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/03/100/?nc=1 > > > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/05/17/1/?nc=1 > > > > >Today's radio gear resembles the > > > computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on > > > a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing > > > tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. > > > > > > Even some of us "seasoned hams" enjoy the flexibility, performance, and > > the wealth of options that today's rigs provide us. I fail to see how > > showing the youth of today "glowing tubes and dancing meters", who, most > > likely, could not relate to these images, would entice them to embrace > > amateur radio. > > > > > Something about sending your voice across the country or around the > > world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. > > > > Doing it with a box that's 2 inches high, 6 inches wide, and 8 inches > > deep, and doesn't weigh 500 pounds and take up an entire table space, and > > has more flexibility, features, performance, and has dancing LED meters > > and other blinking novelties, probably can relate better with today's > > youth. > > > > >You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was > > that ever the case? > > > > Glowing tubes and dancing meters may have worked 30, 40, and 50 years ago > > as an e
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
On 6/22/05, peter markavage <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Glowing tubes and dancing meters may have worked 30, 40, and 50 years ago > as an enticement, but that's past generation, It has little use as a > carrot in today's world. Pete - Apparently you missed the part I said about today's gear being too much like what they already have and use without need for a license: like a cellphone, the internet, or whatever else. I've been working in the public service side of ham radio at least since 1984, and I've been doing public demonstrations of vintage gear almost as long, on my own as well as with folks like W1RC, K1MVP and others. I can say with certainty, from firsthand experience - kids LOVE old radios. Besides radio clubs, I've worked at, organized, or put on displays at schools, government meetings, and public shopping malls for community awareness days and such. I don't think it's a case of my needing to get out more, Pete - I think more likely it's a case of you needing to remove those rose-colored glasses that have 'A.R.R.L' stenciled across the lenses. It's not just my opinion that the 'League' has been more focused on selling books and subscriptions for the last 30 or more years. If 'saving amateur radio' means dumbing it down until absolutely no one wants to be part of it (think 'CB'), then your approach works just fine. My experience in recent years has been that people, including kids, relate FAR more to 'glowing tubes and dancing meters' with respect to radio than they do with a plug and play piece of plastic. No different than the general public still relating the dits and dahs of CW with radio, which is why so many examples in film and TV still use this and other 'outdated' clips to get the point across. I'd be curious to know what *your* experiences have been in the way of public service, demonstrations, and whatever else to support your approach. It's easy to post links to what others have done or are doing, it's a whole lot different to be out there doing it. In the meantime, you can check just a couple of links: http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vem/races/index.html http://www.ranv.org/news/ranvapr1.html Couldn't find the report from the Milton hamfest a couple years back (we didn't present one this year) when the old radio forum put on by Mike, Rene, and I drew more attendees than the 'big' ARRL state convention held at the same time. Yes, there were several high school students present. I'm willing to accept that the ARRL does serve a purpose, Pete. I just don't think it does anywhere near the job it is capable of, or likes to portray itself as doing. I've been a member twice, I won't be again until the biased and arrogant mentality of much of the leadership has changed. For some of them, it's just like a political position: it becomes more of a career and less a case of 'serving the constituents'. ARRL is supposed to represent all hams equally, not simply the group that sells the most new Yaecomwood radios for their advertisers. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
Show them some glowing tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. Something about sending your voice across the country or around the world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was that ever the case? ~ Todd, KA1KAQ __ SNIP well put Boomer .. i got my ticket in 62 and still find it a thrill when i talk to someone on one of my old BA's 73 Tony
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
That brave, young Boy Scout, who was found yesterday after five harrowing days lost in the Utah wilderness, soon after munching down some Granola bars, asked if he could borrow a cell phone to play a video game. Does that tell you anything about the interests of young people? Let's look at another generation that may be more turned on to ham radio - our Senior citizens. I believe that there are many in the 55 and older cohert who would love to get their ticket so they could spend their idle time talking to hams around the world. My point is that, perhaps, we should be enticing our Seniors to join our ranks. Just listen on the bands during the day and you find lots of retirees enjoying their hobby. A excellent meeting place for our Seniors is the local senior activity center in your neighborhood. Ask the senior center director if you could make a demonstration of ham radio while enjoying lunch with these wonderful folks. You might want to contact your County Agency on Aging and speak to the administrator in charge. Thanks for listening. David, W3ST Publisher of the Collins Journal Secretary to the Collins Radio Association To Join the CRA go to www.collinsra.com Nets: 3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EST and 14250 Khz Saturday, 12 Noon EST - Original Message - From: "peter markavage" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:15 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending > > On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 09:56:45 -0400 "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > writes: > > > I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be > > more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back > > through > > public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away > > licenses hasn't done it, and won't. > > Here's four recent examples off the ARRL site. Many clubs also have > activities that target public service, school visits, or other > demonstrations. You need to get out more from behind the gowing tubes and > dancing meters and see what's really happening with today's youth and > amateur radio. > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/16/1/?nc=1 > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/09/3/?nc=1 > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/03/100/?nc=1 > > http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/05/17/1/?nc=1 > > >Today's radio gear resembles the > > computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on > > a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing > > tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. > > > Even some of us "seasoned hams" enjoy the flexibility, performance, and > the wealth of options that today's rigs provide us. I fail to see how > showing the youth of today "glowing tubes and dancing meters", who, most > likely, could not relate to these images, would entice them to embrace > amateur radio. > > > Something about sending your voice across the country or around the > world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. > > Doing it with a box that's 2 inches high, 6 inches wide, and 8 inches > deep, and doesn't weigh 500 pounds and take up an entire table space, and > has more flexibility, features, performance, and has dancing LED meters > and other blinking novelties, probably can relate better with today's > youth. > > >You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was > that ever the case? > > Glowing tubes and dancing meters may have worked 30, 40, and 50 years ago > as an enticement, but that's past generation, It has little use as a > carrot in today's world. > > Pete, WA2CWA > __ > AMRadio mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
Pol the lid on yout SX-101 after it has been cooking for 30 minutes, stick your nose in and take a good long whiff. That, my friends, is ham radio! 73, John, W4AWM
[AMRadio] Re: Petition Pending
Right on, Todd. -Larry/NE1S Todd, KA1KAQ writes: On 6/21/05, Anthony W. DePrato <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > incentive licensing is a joke and no longer serves any useful > purpose. Plus, from the outset, it never achieved its original purpose: > to improve the technical expertise of the amateur community. > >Don K4KYV SNIP AMEN !1 A lot of folks complained that CW was only meant to keep people out who would otherwise be great hams. Other than the aspect of CW getting through in times of emergency when nothing else would, I always saw it as more of a test of someone's determination to become a ham - not their knowledge of electronics. If you have to work for something to acheive it, you're much more likely to do so because you *want* to do it, not simple because it's available to you if you want to bother. When the Amateur Radio Retail Lobby was producing all of those articles in QST in favor of the No-Code techs (Mike and Wally or whatever), it was clear that their intention was to sell more stuff, not to benefit ham radio in general. The constant inclusion of lines like "Mike became a ham by using the ARRL's Now You're Talking manual" or "he was able to find such and such by using the ARRL Repeater Directory" or "Wally's wife is studying for her license with the ARRL License Guide" and so on served to praise the No Code techs while bashing the OTs for not being understanding or compasionate enough to give the new guy a chance. Really, they were nothing but than more ads. A few years after the No Code craze there was an article somwhere with numbers of those still involved after getting licensed. No Code techs had the lowest renewal rate, IIRC. My theory is, when you hand a person something instead of making them work to earn it, they're a whole lot less likely to really want it, muchless appreciate it. And while I was licensed under the incentive licensing scheme and it did work to spur me on, I'd much rather see a real exam to test someone's knowledge and determination to be part of ham radio rather than a multiple guess format that can be memorized with enough time. Those little diagrams I had to draw to demonstrate my knowledge of a certain circuit didn't scare me away or scar me for life. I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back through public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away licenses hasn't done it, and won't. Today's radio gear resembles the computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. Something about sending your voice across the country or around the world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was that ever the case? ~ Todd, KA1KAQ __ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 09:56:45 -0400 "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be > more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back > through > public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away > licenses hasn't done it, and won't. Here's four recent examples off the ARRL site. Many clubs also have activities that target public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. You need to get out more from behind the gowing tubes and dancing meters and see what's really happening with today's youth and amateur radio. http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/16/1/?nc=1 http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/09/3/?nc=1 http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/03/100/?nc=1 http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/features/2005/05/17/1/?nc=1 >Today's radio gear resembles the > computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on > a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing > tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. Even some of us "seasoned hams" enjoy the flexibility, performance, and the wealth of options that today's rigs provide us. I fail to see how showing the youth of today "glowing tubes and dancing meters", who, most likely, could not relate to these images, would entice them to embrace amateur radio. > Something about sending your voice across the country or around the world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. Doing it with a box that's 2 inches high, 6 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, and doesn't weigh 500 pounds and take up an entire table space, and has more flexibility, features, performance, and has dancing LED meters and other blinking novelties, probably can relate better with today's youth. >You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was that ever the case? Glowing tubes and dancing meters may have worked 30, 40, and 50 years ago as an enticement, but that's past generation, It has little use as a carrot in today's world. Pete, WA2CWA
Re: [AMRadio] Petition Pending
On 6/21/05, Anthony W. DePrato <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > incentive licensing is a joke and no longer serves any useful > > purpose. Plus, from the outset, it never achieved its original purpose: > > to improve the technical expertise of the amateur community. > > > >Don K4KYV > SNIP > AMEN !1 A lot of folks complained that CW was only meant to keep people out who would otherwise be great hams. Other than the aspect of CW getting through in times of emergency when nothing else would, I always saw it as more of a test of someone's determination to become a ham - not their knowledge of electronics. If you have to work for something to acheive it, you're much more likely to do so because you *want* to do it, not simple because it's available to you if you want to bother. When the Amateur Radio Retail Lobby was producing all of those articles in QST in favor of the No-Code techs (Mike and Wally or whatever), it was clear that their intention was to sell more stuff, not to benefit ham radio in general. The constant inclusion of lines like "Mike became a ham by using the ARRL's Now You're Talking manual" or "he was able to find such and such by using the ARRL Repeater Directory" or "Wally's wife is studying for her license with the ARRL License Guide" and so on served to praise the No Code techs while bashing the OTs for not being understanding or compasionate enough to give the new guy a chance. Really, they were nothing but than more ads. A few years after the No Code craze there was an article somwhere with numbers of those still involved after getting licensed. No Code techs had the lowest renewal rate, IIRC. My theory is, when you hand a person something instead of making them work to earn it, they're a whole lot less likely to really want it, muchless appreciate it. And while I was licensed under the incentive licensing scheme and it did work to spur me on, I'd much rather see a real exam to test someone's knowledge and determination to be part of ham radio rather than a multiple guess format that can be memorized with enough time. Those little diagrams I had to draw to demonstrate my knowledge of a certain circuit didn't scare me away or scar me for life. I also think they only thing that will 'save' amateur radio will be more hands-on involvement by active hams giving something back through public service, school visits, or other demonstrations. Giving away licenses hasn't done it, and won't. Today's radio gear resembles the computers, video game consoles, cellphones and stereo gear kids use on a daily basis, so even that is a tough sell. Show them some glowing tubes and meters with needles dancing around and their eyes light up. Something about sending your voice across the country or around the world without the aid of connected wires still has appeal. You're not going to get every kid, or even a lot of them, but when was that ever the case? ~ Todd, KA1KAQ
Re: [AMRadio] link to see petition
On 6/21/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Not sure I like the proposal, at first glance, but seems very well thought out > and documented well. Sure beats the "I dont like it" proposals. I dont really > trust Hams to be cooperative and cant see any way to correct a bunch of really > dumb ones, after all, there is only one Reiley (?) Charlie - While I agree with you that the proposal itself won't stop interference (deliberate or otherwise), ask yourself this: does the current band plan? Although it would seem to open up the door for even more complaints, the other side of the coin is that the FCC would have few types of complaints to focus its attention on, hopefully making it easier to locate the real idiots. IMHO, much of the interference we have now is created by trying to squeeze so many stations into a limited space. More limited than it would be with a more open band plan. I suspect that having additional space available would alleviate much of this. It won't do anything about the idiot factor, but neither does the current structure. I'm a big fan of fewer regulations and more personal accountability. Of course, there is no guarantee that the FCC will do more to hold people accountable, but we can hope. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ
[AMRadio] Petition -- teeth
Yes, there's not much kneecap-breaking power contained in the proposal against people who disrespect others. But when you think about it, as we did, we today do not have more than the "one Riley" either, and there have been some chronic examples where the enforcement process has taken forever to get traction. So, if at least part of the problem is because there's not enough use of certain available areas of the band, then let's consider allowing people suffering interference to QSY across a greater range for potential relief. It can be hoped that high-impact events would offer, as part of their planning, voluntary constraints on where it takes place, as part of the cooperative effort to make way for people who don't wish to participate. The following is stated in the Petition, but even more so I am personally convinced MOST existing phone/CW activity will remain right where it is by habit. Levels of interference are mild, overall, most of the time, and acceptable to the vast majority of people. We try to deal with the other small percentage of occasional conflicts, while also responding to the need to more evenly distribute the "load" a given band faces from the variety of modes and activities in use at any moment. Not everyone who moves would be doing so to escape interference, but rather, to AVOID creating compatibility problems for others. That's a powerful effect that cannot be measured by "enforcement" after something has already caused friction. Thanks for your continued consideration. Paul/VJB __ Discover Yahoo! Use Yahoo! to plan a weekend, have fun online and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/
