On 2/9/2014 5:49 PM, Duane - N9DG wrote:
This lack of curiosity to try things like VHF weak signal strikes me as a side effect of
amateur radio having been promoted for a few decades now as being a utilitarian
communications "ends" vs. being it a lifelong continuing journey focused on
propagation challenges and technology..
Duane
N9DG
We have at this moment several counts against V activity that have been
outlined:
P1.) DC-Daylight includes HF, which at the moment (good solar activity)
provides the culturally-demanded "instant gratification" expected of
"technology" in the modern era.
P2.) Poor paper-chaser bait (VUCC as stepchild syndrome).
P3.) Dearth of good compelling and well-delivered
advertising/articles/published works which highlight the _intrinsic_
rewards of riding V/U propagation.
P4.) "Poor economy" wag = declined income = more labor hours to make
bills = far fewer play dollars/hours (keeping me off the air more often
than not since 2010!!).
... I'll add a few:
P5.) Ubiquitous broadband internet as Entertainment Delivery platform is
eroding hours from all other activities among a swath of demographics --
a trend which may level off as the on-demand shine dulls a bit (see P1).
P6.) Local QRN condx (? maybe a minor factor, but I argue SNR on V/U is
critical to enjoyment) increasing as little consumer noisemakers become
re-produce like so many hares.
Suggestions**( I only ask we keep it positive/additive for 2 days;
please try to add to this list _constructively_ -- THEN when we've
collected all the dumb ideas, us curmudgeon detractors, self-included,
can RIP it apart with long negative diatribes on why none of it will
work at all! ;) ):
***** For the "NowGeneration" op candidates, pull V/U operations down to
low-common-denominator pop culture -- easier than ever:
S1.) Pitch new non-traditional awards -- things like an
Instagram/Facebook/etc photo contest of Rover/Hilltop Portable set-up;
Play the new social junkfood trends to grab the younger audience
attention. Possibilities here are wide and far!
****SDR is the future -- and for those of us /already/ in the future
(like _you_), it's the present..... and mobile-pocket SDR is close on
the horizon:
S2.) Make monitoring portable/remote-able. Push development of SDR V/U
performance in small, efficient packages (already suggested).
S3.) Push SDR application development for mobile device
interface/operation from remote and alerting of signal patterns
consistent with "activity", "propagation", maybe an "auto-beacon-seek"
or other indicators that help (nigh, they just do the work) find Qs on V/U.
S4.) Push hilltop remote-base installation of the above mentioned rigs
in terrain-challenged areas.
**** "Community grass-roots organizing" might move the S-meter needle a
bit (hihi... but seriously):
S5.) Strategically encourage state QSO party sponsors (again) to include
V/U, as just bands; as band-point-mults (Like June's point scheme); as
full category/categories (QRP, Multi-Op, Limited/Unlimited,
whatever)... perhaps best to start that in the populated states where
V/U has activity, and are sched in times of year where propagation
enhancements are likely to make a "model" for other {ST}QP organizers to
gaze upon. Realizing this has been done w/ limited success, but times
are changing.... ask: do these events see suffering/stagnating
participation numbers in the modern era of digital distraction too?
S6.) For the next generation V/U op: V/U Rover-Super-Hero/Heroine/Team
comic book series? Think STEM. How can V/U operations mesh with
educational initiatives at the /LOCAL/ level?
**** Passive-aggressive:
S8.) Wait for the sun to quiet down. ;)
More...?
73,
- Josh / KF4YLM
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