it's sad, very sad about the changes to ham radio. i don't even believe it can
be called that any longer. perhaps "internet radio" or "remote radio" can be
best described as the present hobby.
gone are the days that we "hams" were considered as a public service. gone are
the days of experimentation, building your own antennas which required tuning
and pruning. making your own receiver or transmitter is a concept unknown to
the present generation.
remember Gus Browning? he was the guy who risked his life to take his suitcase
radio to remote places in the world just so the "chosen few" could have a new
country. remember the first expedition to Mellish Reef? the guys almost lost
their lives in a broken down boat to give the masses a new one. i was there! no
ice breakers and helicopters for us. lets all see who can work the new country
on the most band/modes possible.
how about the hams who were responsible for new radio innovations? Art Collins
for one. many others.
i am considering selling my station and renting one for the next DXpedition or
contest. i can easily be the big gun. probably win the 160 meter contest from
the W8JI rent a station. maybe i will rent a huge station on the east coast and
operate from my kitchen. beat the pants off you guys.
what about the little peanut. the young kid who has little money and cant
afford the finer toys of ham radio. used to be an equal in the hobby to kings,
generals, and high ranking politicians. not to mention other famous
personalities.
please find a new name for our hobby. it's not ham radio any longer. yes i can
understand the need for remote stations, no CW, buy an antenna that tunes its
self, use an expensive radio, rent a station and all of the new internet
assisted utilities. if that is your interest please use it. just not for me.
guess that i have been lucky to see this wonderful hobby in its glory days.
73,
larry
n7dd/60 (60 wonderful years of "ham radio")
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