A couple of comments:
a. I don't believe for a minute that the number of licenses translates
to the amount of activity on the bands. Most bands are practically dead
much of the day even now that the sunspot cycle has been high. At the
very least that all time high for licenses doesn't equate to an all time
high for activity. The only exceptions are during contests.
b. The last time that I bothered to check into the numbers, the number
of new licenses was almost (as in the high 90 percentages) offset by the
number of abandoned licenses, meaning that ham radio has very little
traction with newcomers.
c. Compare pictures of ham radio conventions and club meetings taken
today versus those taken 30 years ago. For the most part, everyone in
view just looks 30 years older. Extrapolation isn't always justifiable,
but in this case I think it is pretty much an irrefutable trend.
d. There is only one way to look at stars of your own choosing in real
time. There are MANY ways (most of them of better quality than ham
radio) to communicate with others in real time.
73,
Dave AB7E
On 5/30/2013 7:28 AM, Joe wrote:
Similar Situation.
Go figure the guy (ME) that has limited income, what does he do? He
has TWO hobbies that can be and now days mostly are expensive to do.
Radio, & Astronomy.
These two hobbies are very similar in nature. for the most part they
are indeed hobbies one does alone.
And entry level Radios, and Telescopes are priced similar a few
hundred bucks.
Then the top of the line stuff can be very expensive. Telescopes can
make Radio equipment look like garage sale prices. Like $20,000.00
bucks! And just like radio that is just the scope. you still can
spend thousands on prerferial support equipment. Like top of the line
Eyepieces. Without them the scope can not be used. You look through
the eyepiece. Top of the line ones can easily cost several hundred
dollars just for one. And you need many to fully utilize the
capabilities of the scope.
Analogy Radio = Antenns,, Telescope = Eyepieces.
And everything is similar ya got radios and telescopes, ya got Towers
and antennas, and outside shelters for the telescopes. computers for
both. as well as tons of other perferial support equipments.
I fount the two hobbies are complimentary, daytime play radio, cloudy
nights play radio, clear nights use telescope.
There are clubs for each.
There are organizations that support and promote both like the ARRL
for Amateur Radio, and the Astronomical League for Astronomy.
Thing is even tho the estimated population of Amateur Astronomers is
hard to determine, (no license required and able to track) the latest
estimate from the Astronomical league say that the population in the
USA is between 300,000 and 400,000 people are interested in Astronomy,
as a hobby more than just the casual interest, in other words just
like the level of interest of someone interested in radio and was
interested enough to get their license.
Even more similarities are
Amateur Radio has "HOA's" and CC&R's that restrict their ability to do
the hobby,
Astronomy has Light pollution.
But there is one BIG difference that i see between the two.
Amateur Radio has more licensed in the hobby than it has ever had in
history, yet all ya hear is how it is a dead hobby, and need to get
more people involved. or it will surely die soon. 700,000+ licenced in
USA alone
Astronomy maybe only has 300,000 to 400,000 in the hobby in the USA,
yet the hobby is thriving and you never ever hear about it dieing. The
only thing you hear is to be really serious about it you have to now
either live where there are no lights, or spend hours driving to one
hoping for good weather.
Imagine having to every time you wanted to use your radios having to
do it AKA Field Day style! Where you can't do it where you live and
you have to drive 500 miles to set up and play radio, thats what
probably 90% of amateur astronomers now have to do.
Yet I have yet to hear one compliant about the hobby dieing and
needing to get more people interested.
Interesting huh?
Joe WB9SBD
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