My brief two cents on the subject:
I think we are seeing the result of the computer revolution siphoning off
the technically curious that had traditionally entered amateur radio. This
started in the mid 70's and continues today. I also see the Internet and
the World Wide web as competitors to HF in the neophytes eyes. The lure is
that the WWW doesn't require a license and is about 10% of the cost of
putting up a modest sized low power station with a tower.
I know this is what happened to me. I started into amateur radio 20 years
ago and got side tracked into computers. I did everything from local BBS's
to being a sysop for AOL. Now I am ready to try amateur radio again.
The other thing that is deterring significant participation is the
extremely restrictive zoning and deed covenants, or, in the case of
apartments or trailer parks, management restrictions, that cover most of
the housing in this country. You can probably slip in something for six
meters, two meters, or higher but you can't even think about a three
element tribander. So if we do get them into the hobby, they have very
limited incentive to upgrade because they can not effectively exercise
their new privileges.
IMHO the only way to get new contestors is to take the SOB's (Shack On Belt
- I am one of them) and get them involved with a contest effort. I know
that is what got me hooked - now if I could just quit working 80 hours a
week and had time to upgrade.
Sorry for the bandwidth.
de n0yvy steve
My company and I agree on at least one thing: My opinions are my own.
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