Last Free Means of Communication?
Mike (KD7TKQ)
on
February 2, 2006
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Whenever hams talk about waning interest in the hobby, one reason often cited is that nowadays there are so many means of communication to compete with it. Internet, cheap long distance, and cellphones everywhere seem, for some, to detract from the magic of true wireless communication.
Now most of us know that communication is just one part of the hobby, and making a contact, whether halfway across the world or just halfway across town via amateur radio is not the same as picking up a cellphone or typing on a computer. But it dawned on me the other day - all these other means of communication have a price tag. Long distance and cellphones have become fairly affordable, but you still have to pay to use them. The Internet is almost free, except for that monthly access charge. Ham radio, on the other hand, seems to be the last truly free means of communication. Aside from the cost of the equipment (which can be had very affordably if you are on a tight budget) and the power to run it - well, not even that if you use solar power or a human-powered generator - it costs nothing to use amateur radio.
While I'm sure this fact doesn't weigh too heavily in anyone's choice of ham radio as a hobby, it is nice to know we are part of the last remaining form of truly free communication left in the world.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KT8K on February 2, 2006
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I agree. We certainly beat the two-cups-and-a-string, shout-across-the-road, and native American smoke signal systems all hollow. (I have owned equipment that seemed better suited to smoke signals than RF, but that's another story.)
Good reception to all de kt8k - Tim
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K0BG on February 2, 2006
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It really isn't "free" in a strict sense, but I do see your point.
What I find more interesting about it is its personality, and its ability to build lasting friendships. It seems like everyone I talk to on the phone these days has an agenda not in sync with mine. While some amateurs have agendas too, I find it much less prevalent.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by NA4IT on February 2, 2006
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Wanna have a chat room for the locals?
It's called packet radio! (Or even APRS!) Quick, easy, fun!
Nothing wrong with Echolink, etc, I just like the fun of radio.
I'm kinda like radio the way I am guns...you can have when you pry it from my COLD DEAD HANDS!
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by AE6RF on February 2, 2006
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Is that "free" as in speech or "free" as in beer?
;-)
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KD7QXO on February 2, 2006
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I agree. A few weeks ago, my wife started talking about getting a second cell phone. We thought about it but decided that a 2M rig in her car would solve the problem for free (Well, not really free). Anyway, so far it has worked great. Our needs really do match what we can do on ham radio. Plus, it's much more fun talking on the 2M than a cell phone.
KD7QXO
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by W9WHE-II on February 2, 2006
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CB is free.
FRS is free.
But I also see your point. But if the ARRL has its way, FCC will merge the FRS, CB and Amateur service into one and call it "the Amateur, Family Citizen's Radio service" or AFCBRS.
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by KD4AC on February 2, 2006
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"But if the ARRL has its way, FCC will merge the FRS, CB and Amateur service into one and call it "the Amateur, Family Citizen's Radio service" or AFCBRS."
Really? When did this happen? Perhaps you have a link to some press release where the ARRL announced they were doing this.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by N0XMZ on February 2, 2006
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You make a good point. It makes me cringe every time I hear people blame cellphones and the internet for why young people lose interest in amateur radio. There is so much more to ham radio that just talking to someone on the air (which can be fun when the contact consists of more than just "599, QRZ").
For me, ham radio is about challenges and experimenting. I like to build antennas and homebrew equipment. I love to chase DX. I'm not a professional repairman but with a service manual, DMM, scope, and a few other tools, I can perform all kids of repairs.
At 33, I'm one of the younger hams and I've had a fascination with everything electronic since I was a kid. I'm no expert but I have an insatiable desire to learn and ham radio lets me do that. I would like to see more hams take up the ol' soldering iron and explore the more technical aspects of the hobby.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KI4NX on February 2, 2006
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I agree. Years ago my dad got a 5Kw surplus transmitter where the oscillator put out 400 watts! Needless to say, the oscillator lit up all the TVs in the neighborhood. But I was hooked. Not only do I get to meet other folks, I get to build, experiment and test different gear, theories and concepts first hand. I know what it's like to short battery terminals (accidently, of course) as well as load/neutral/ground leads. I know what happens when you feed your tube-type transmitter directly into your receiver. Over the years (40+) I've learnt a lot from books and from what really works.
I've been in parades, conventions, races, floods, tornado-damaged areas, and blackouts. And we hams have been the only ones with solid communications! We hams have made and continue to make a great contribution both to ourselves and our communities. The down side is that regular folks forget all to quickly about our help in the bad times.
I just love to monitor the airwaves on the way home during the workweek, chat with other on various nets
and even get a stare or two from passing cars while mobile. I enjoy putting together a make-shift antenna to hear astronauts talk to school kids. Having been around the world, it's still fun to talk about amateur radio to just about anyone willing to listen.
As the last "Free" means of communication, even if it's not exactly zero cost, I've enjoyed it for more than 40 years and hope to continue for another 40.
See you down the log sometime
Ken,
KZ4Y
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by KI6LO on February 2, 2006
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N0XMZ wrote "....I would like to see more hams take up the ol' soldering iron and explore the more technical aspects of the hobby. "
AMEN, Brother! I try to get every ham I know locally, new and old, to build something once in a while. It doesn't have to elaborate or fancy, but just to keep the spark alive. I love to build antennas and equipment. If GOD were a ham, he/she would bring back Heathkit, hihi.
Gene KI6LO
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by WB2WIK on February 2, 2006
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Big advantage of ham radio: You can call CQ and anybody can answer you, in real time.
Can't call CQ on a cellphone. Really can't do it on the 'net, either.
WB2WIK/6
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by K7VO on February 2, 2006
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Actually in most places nowadays you can get on the Internet for free. Take a wireless enabled laptop, sit down at your favorite wireless hotspot, and you're on. Of course if you choose a coffee shop as that hotspot you may end up paying for coffee and danish, but that doesn't really count, does it?
Ham radio really does require a special interest in communications. It's a very different animal.
73,
Caity
K7VO/9
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by WI7B on February 2, 2006
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Mike,
I like you appreciate your point about the free access and nearly unlimited options amateur radio gives hams to communicate. Locally, I've heard more couples use repeaters to routinely communicate. Even to the point of one parent holding the mike upto their toddler for some (to me unintelligible, but clearly significant)childish banter. HaH! I love that!
However, many costs are hidden. This was brought home to me in a letter read on a Canadian 160m net after the recent coalfield disaster in West Virginia. It was written by a ham friend of one of the miners' killed. They ended the letter by saying:
"I ask you all that everytime you power on your rig and rotate your antenna, to just remember the real cost of that power you take for granted when enjoying our hobby."
Anyway, I think about it now. I still power up my 500W amp when needed. But I've found when I think about it, I don't need as much as I thought.
73,
---* Ken
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by W2SRH on February 2, 2006
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N0XMZ: Good for you! I just turned 29 myself (and a group of friends, including my wife, and I make up most of the younger members of our club) and am actually sketching out a homebrew mixer for connecting multiple microphones, a key/paddle, PTT footswitch and such to up to four radios. As much as I've read about the electronics, I'm finding it even more fun to play on paper with what will work and how, and can't wait until I've got a schematic good enough to go buy some parts.
KI6LO: If "He" brought back Heathkit, I might actually have a reason to become religious :>
WB2WIK: Sure you can call CQ on the net. Just look at how many pages exclaim "Look at me!" The difference is you'll likely get a better class of person replying to you on the air. And you can call CQ on cell phones too, just dial a random number - but from what I recall of my childhood, whomever answers the phone isn't usually in a talkative mood.
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by N0AH on February 2, 2006
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3 points about free.
I think I would be close if the average USA ham's total life monies put into the hobby is anything less than $10,000. That does not include gas, tape, clamps, DX'peditions, etc......
Time lost for hams every year mising work over a rare one being on is a huge amount. Costing American employers millions yet making millions for Japanese ham radio manufactuers and tens of thousands of dollars for MFJ.
I got a free goat once. After over $1,000 in vet bills after 2 dog pack attacks, it finally rolled over dead. Best day of my life next to returning my MFJ-1026. Bye Billy Boots. Bye array in a box-
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by WA1RNE on February 2, 2006
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"Whenever hams talk about waning interest in the hobby, one reason often cited is that nowadays there are so many means of communication to compete with it."
>> Other reasons may include the *canned* nature of the hobby today compared to many years ago.
I call it Canned Ham.
What I'm referring to is, everything from the licensing process to setting up a station to what you actually do with the station, including public service.
The licensing process doesn't seem to carry the same feeling of importance or accomplishment as it once did;
Setting up a station today is certainly more of a *canned* process than it once was. Let's face it, instead of buying a Heathkit to build that wattmeter, antenna tuner, impedance bridge, keyer, transverter, yagi, dipole, ground plane, amplifier, etc. etc., etc........or holly cow, fathom the thought designing/building one yourself.....
.....most hams just slide their mouse across the table and buy the MFJ or the multitude of other commercially available equipment on the market.
The single, most influential factor that promotes *Canned Hamming* is the advances in technology and overseas outsourcing.
It's no accidnet that all this equipment, features and advanced technology is available off the shelf at such reasonable prices.
The downside is, after building a station from commercial gear and connecting cord "A" to socket "A", there is 1/10th the feeling of accomplishment - BUT more importantly, 1/100th the amount of SKILLS LEARNED.
Many hams will argue they are content with Canned Hamming, competing in contests to get that constant 5-9 report and a new country - minus any sort of dialogue in between - or are retired and enjoy that daily scheduled net on 40 meters. That of course is your prerogative and it's not my place to set your agenda.
But for this hobby to really flourish, there needs to be push towards getting EVERYONE more involved in the technical aspects of amateur radio.
More times than not, it's more rewarding and a heck of a lot more interesting.
Data communications, ATV and hifi SSB are great stuff but the antennas still need attention to get the signal beyond your backyard.
....and some of the better ones need not arrive via a Fed-X truck to get the job done.
Chris, WA1RNE
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by W9WHE-II on February 2, 2006
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W9WHE wrote:
But if the ARRL has its way, FCC will merge the FRS, CB and Amateur service into one and call it "the Amateur, Family Citizen's Radio service" or AFCRS."
KD4AC then wrote:
"Really? When did this happen? Perhaps you have a link to some press release where the ARRL announced they were doing this"
My friend, I call your attention to ARRL's most recent proposals to "dum down" our hobby. Surley you know that ARRL sought to have FCC "drop the code" and to "give away" HF priveleges to all techs? THE ONLY THING SEPERATING US FROM CB AND FRS IS THE STANDARDS. Take away the standards and we will be CB.
W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership!
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by KG4RUL on February 2, 2006
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"W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership! "
========
Bye Bye!
Dennnis KG4RUL
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by KSAVES2 on February 2, 2006
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Am not even licensed yet and I agree that lowering the standards is probably not going to make much difference
in the number of people interested in Ham radio.
I would prefer that the hobby be kept seperate from
CBing and FRCS. Am currently working on learning the
code and want to test in tech plus or general. Don't have the real estate or money for big antennas so if I test to general I would still be confing myself to QRP
CW only because that is what I am interested. Also want
to make some two meter tracking transmitters for model
rockets. Kurt Savegnago
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by N0IU on February 2, 2006
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WB2WIK/6 wrote, "Big advantage of ham radio: You can call CQ and anybody can answer you, in real time.
Can't call CQ on a cellphone."
No, but you can dial 1 + 10 random digits on your cell phone and see who you get! Just like when you call CQ, you have no idea who might answer you.
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by W0JOG on February 2, 2006
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Last Free Means of Communication? How about last self-reliant means of communication? No repeaters, cell systems, digital encription system or other high-tech relay mode to go bonkers when the going gets tough. What we should be proud of in amateur radio is the ability to bail out those other systems that the Homeland Security authorities seem hell-bent to have everyone adopt so that it is all interconnected and managed by someone else somewhere. You and me wanna talk? From across the street to across the town to across the world? When and where? That's all it takes to create a communication. Simple isn't it? Reliable too, if you are capable of that old dit-dah stuff should conditions get rough.
What ever happened to self-reliance and sustainable stuff? Just for us old guys who don't know any better, I guess.
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by AC4FS on February 2, 2006
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My XYL has a 30+ mile commute to work and back home every day. At first, she would call me on the cell phone when she left work to head home in the afternoon. After about a month of that, we decided that since we were both hams, and she had a nice dual-band FM rig in her car, we would keep in touch using the repeaters. We found that one of the repeaters provides coverage from the front door all the way to her parking lot. Now we just use that.
We even have a small (but growing) morning drive-time "net" with me, my XYL and three other guys that commute to work around the same time. Kind of reminds me of when I was first licensed back in 1990. There were a group of us that had a drive-time net into work.
73, Howard/AC4FS
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by N9XCR on February 2, 2006
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W9WHE said,"Surley you know that ARRL sought to have FCC "drop the code" and to "give away" HF priveleges to all techs? THE ONLY THING SEPERATING US FROM CB AND FRS IS THE STANDARDS. Take away the standards and we will be CB."
OK, that's straightened out now. The ARRL did NOT propose merging the three radio services as W9WHE stated. :)
What standards? Your sentiments sound much like that of a racist. Are you going to complain about black people on HF as well? How about Mexicans or Arabs? I feel it's a fair question. Besides, HF has its trash just as ham radio does. I've heard some real good stuff on 80M from some long-time Extras.
By the way, I passed my code test. It's probably not up to the standards for HF as defined by you since it was only 5WPM. I do plan, however, on improving my CW skills since I like CW and have fun copying it.
Don't get me wrong; I believe that a certain amount of proven technical skill should be required of hams, but exactly how much more technical does CW proficency give someone?
Amateur Radio's marketing nightmare is due to statements such as W9WHE's. I read a post recently where a new ham was apprehensive of even going on the air for fear of running into that type of attitude. Thankfully, the reality is that just about everyone on the air is kind-spirited and not a mean old man like W9WHE.
Amateur Radio is for those who have an interest in any of the large number of activities possible with it. I hear many different topics of conversation on the air that don't have anything to do with radio, and they don't have to. Hams are people that share one common interest, and have many others that they share with a certain number of other hams. Do QSO's only have to be about radio? No, they don't. If yours do, that's fine. It's entirely up to you. If someone calls you a name for not being up to THEIR standards, just say "Thank you" and change frequencies. They're simply not worth talking to. I apologize to eHam.net for wasting their bandwidth by dignifying an assanine response to W9WHE's off-topic response to the article.
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by NS6Y_ on February 2, 2006
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I'll agree with that, the last self-relient means of comms. Back in the day, Ma Bell charged a fortune to talk even 10 miles away, I've had horrible, horrible telephone bills from talking to friends even relatively few miles away, it was horrible and hardest on those of the least means. Whereas, if those friends (I think I was hanging around the wrong people!) were hams, comms would have been no problem. A basic cell fone bill is about $50 a month, that's $600 a year. That buys a lot of used stuff, a decent amount of new stuff, or a lot of kits. My understanding is after Katrina swept through, the first murmers out of the area were hams using QRP equipment, often using CW. Cellfones and wifi and all that are great, but they all cost a lot (buy a laptop to take advantage of free wifi and you've paid for at least a couple years of cellfone charges) and they all go down when they're really needed.
If there's one right thing I've done in my life, it's been to get into this hobby.
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by AE7GL on February 2, 2006
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N0IU wrote:
> No, but you can dial 1 + 10 random digits on
> your cell phone and see who you get! Just like
> when you call CQ, you have no idea who might
> answer you.
You certainly can. But I'm not sure they'd be as happy to talk to you.
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by RADIOPATEL on February 2, 2006
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Dear mike and all Eham friends
Why should we call it free? In fact according to me by virtue of being Amateur radio it must be free forever.
Further I submmit that why compare with regular modes of communication? They have costs so they are charging. And ham radio must not be used where commercial systems are to be used.
Next this is the only hobby which gives you taste of Fox hunting, Dxing,Home brewing and lot more at lowest cost.
This hobby also contributes to society with emergency services and innovations made by Hams.
Never despair we all hams are parallal running technologists since the invention of radio and we will keep contributing in emergency,technology and self improvement.
Pl.do not misunderstand
73's
Dinesh Patel
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by KC2IJI on February 3, 2006
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Agreed. Note that, despite the off topic commentaries, there is NO "public" communications that is not mediated by a "big brother", be it cell phones (High tech, buggable, network is run by someone beholden to government, not you) or the internet (watch the content providers and ISP's argue for control over what comes down or does not come down your 'net connection).
Cell phones shellac ham radio in terms of tech. Where ham was high tech, each 13 year old has a SMD run, frequency hopping spread spectrum radio. The other half, the tower is usually invisible, as is the PTSN. Cell Phones follow Heinlein's Law "Technology sufficently removed is Magik"
FRS/most GMRS radios are toys and not worthy of inclusion in a ham radio debate. CB is the best 1940 can produce, and is now "truckers professional radio". Even tho they all run 100 watts, it is meaningless as they are mobile, and the vast majority never get off channel 19.
Indeed, I think FRS/GMRS bubble pack radios DISCOURAGE further experimentation. You can't remove the antennas, and they don't work very well. I recently put my family on MURS channels when we go skiing, as the FRS/GMRS rigs suffered way too much "tree attenuation".
There are no "cbers" as people on this board seem to recall from the 70's, 80's. They are all gone, and with them, a pool of potential recruits. In my area, there are probably two 27 mhz groups. One is on channel 36 in the evenings in Dutchess County, NY and one is on a freeband channel on Long Island. That's it, in the most populous metro area in the US. Other than truckers, and the weirdness on channel 6, it's gone.
I worked a public service event last year. With 5 State agencies, there was no, zero, interoperability. Since each agency is it's own fiefdom, they relied upon a bunch of ragtag hams with 2m rigs to "interoperate".
What we need, is a UHF CB like the Aussies. This way, there'd be a practical mass commuication, this time quiet FM and UHF to eliminate the "skip" issues. I got my licence during the sunspot dive, so I hear that the ionosphere can be useful. It would not be "ham", but a open utility for those who'd like to chat.
With the digital changes in communication, encryption or restriction of use are trivial changes. (Google "Broadcast Flag" or "DRM") Ham radio, classic analog, may be the only "open" format which remains.
Oddly, I feel like the gun guys, who have a firearm "just in case"
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by KA2JIZ on February 3, 2006
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Pretty much agree with authors' comments. So far, no charge for a license, unless you go for a vanity call. You don't have to spend a fortune on equipment unless you choose to. QRP kits, wire, and used accessories are modestly priced. Decent used rigs are also available. Actually, "wired" communication can be darn expensive. My phone/dial-up internet bill comes comes to over $60 a month and that doesn't include a cell phone or out-of-area-code long distance calls. I don't think that is particularly cheap. I will be shopping for a better deal.
In my case, I love to hear the sound of a very late night qrp (or qro) cw signal responding to my qrp cq...from the next town or next continent. I still get a thrill when it happens. Can't put a price tag on that.
73 and hope to hear you on the qrp calling frequencies.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 3, 2006
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N9XCR wrote:
"W9WHE said,"Surley you know that ARRL sought to have FCC "drop the code" and to "give away" HF priveleges to all techs? THE ONLY THING SEPERATING US FROM CB AND FRS IS THE STANDARDS. Take away the standards and we will be CB."
N9XCR then continued:
What standards? Your sentiments sound much like that of a racist. Are you going to complain about black people on HF as well? How about Mexicans or Arabs? I feel it's a fair question".
WHAT THE HELL DO ARRL'S EFFORTS TO "DUMB DOWN" THE STANDARDS HAVE TO DO WITH RACISM?
N9XCR typifies the approach of extremeists. Anybody that disagrees with their narrow minded, intollerant views is a racist. I make a comment about "dumbing down" the standards, and you scream racism? Where do you people come from?
N9XCR's comment typifies angry liberals. When they can't win a discussion on the merits, they lob personal attacks like "you're a racist". "you are a looser" or you are a "moron".
Its HIGH TIME people like you were shown for what you really are....childish, intollerant imps, devoid of civillity, bankrupt of intellectual ideas, and utterly rupugnant.
W9WHE
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by G5FSD on February 3, 2006
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"It makes me cringe every time I hear people blame cellphones and the internet for why young people lose interest in amateur radio."
But it does diminish the special appeal of two-way radio, when they're used to mobile phones, etc. Back in the 1970s in the UK if you were out and about away from home you were simply out of reach, with no way of contacting anyone unless you tracked down a phone box - imagine how odd that would feel now! No wonder CB caught on, when there had never before been anything like it, especially in the internet chat-room "random party line" sense too. On top of all this, there is simply more to do these days - we only had 3 TV channels back then, no affordable satellite TV, no home computers yet, no games consoles (only some very primitive blocky black-and-white things), no internet, camcorders, VCRs were still expensive, no widescreen DVD movies with 5.1 surround sound, we still had records and tapes only.. etc etc.
Now, 'only' 30 years later and things are so different it still amazes me how lucky I am to live through these fascinating times. As for ham radio - we're lucky that a certain small percentage of technically oriented folk will always find it interesting, just like statistically a certain proportion of people will always be drawn to stamp collecting, trains, dolls houses, and all the other interests that have their own specialist magazines 'in all good newsagents'.
Ham radio isn't going to go away, but it's never going to be mainstream.
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by W9WHE-II on February 3, 2006
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G5FSD writes:
"Ham radio isn't going to go away, but it's never going to be mainstream".
I do hope you are right.
But it seems to me that cellphones DO make ham radio a less attractive hobby. And year over year, we do loose about 1-2 %. The average age of the average ham is getting older. I'm not sure that the teenagers will replace them in the same numbers. Especially with the loss in civility.
W9WHE
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by W6SN on February 3, 2006
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KC2IJI said:
"What we need, is a UHF CB like the Aussies. This way, there'd be a practical mass commuication, this time quiet FM and UHF to eliminate the "skip" issues. I got my licence during the sunspot dive, so I hear that the ionosphere can be useful. It would not be "ham", but a open utility for those who'd like to chat."
Actually, if you look at the rules, FRS falls under the CB rules section, and actually is treated as such.
Jason/W6SN
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W8KQE on February 3, 2006
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It's free (less the initial cost of equipment and the negligable cost of electricty, especially if you're running barefoot), but most importantly, it's satisfyingly fun and magically delicious!
; )
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by AI2IA on February 3, 2006
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Not only is Ham Radio, in a sense, free of charges, but it is also free of on the air commercial advertising. It may seen trivial, but automobile TV and radio commercials drive me nuts. Ham Radio is an endeavor where I can sit quietly in my basement and build a dummy load from scratch, or an antenna of my own design. I can pick up the mike and talk to someone I have never seen or met, but who understands the joy and wonder of wireless communications, radio wave propagation, and amateur radio fellowship. It is the place where I am duty bound to answer a distress call, and it is a tool that can make all the difference in a local or more wide spread disaster. There will always be Morse Code. There will always be ARRL haters. There will always be CB-phobes. Things will change and the basics will always be there, too! All this thanks to the American way of life. Enjoy amateur radio and pass it along to your friends, neighbors, and especially your children.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 3, 2006
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AI2IA writes:
"Not only is Ham Radio, in a sense, free of charges, but it is also free of on the air commercial advertising".
Today, yes. But if ARL has its way, then we will be seeing automated SPAM robots, and ham radio will no longer be "commercial free". We may have groups like K1MAN and ARRL targeting us with SPAM!
W9WHE
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by ERNESTTHOMPSONEXK4EAT on February 3, 2006
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Don't you guys ever get tired of blaming ARRL for everything?
You sound just like the democrats that blame Bush for the Hurricane!!
You're free to join the ARRL -- likewise your free to quit.
If you don't like the way they are doing somethng then write you congressman or start your own website -- but stop your constant moaning and SHUT UP already.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 3, 2006
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"Don't you guys ever get tired of blaming ARRL for everything"
ARRL is not to blame for everything. Only the consequences of its own proposals and conduct. In this instance, ARRL IS to blame, because arrl's own bandwith proposal opens the door for such nonsence.
http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=113025
W9WHE
proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by AB7JK on February 3, 2006
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It's not free as long as the cheapest 100 watts radios cost at least $400.
I'd like to see Kenwood remanufacture the TS830S and Yaesu the FT101E. They could probably sell them tubes and all for less than $400. Trouble is today they would make them out of plastic, give them a fake 'retro look' and sell them for $1200. AB7JK
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by AB7JK on February 3, 2006
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People who scream 'racism' and 'facist' are 99% of the time that way themselves. In psychology it's called projection. It's the behavior of very angry people designed to turn the tables on reasonable, clear thinking, and discerning people.
That's the battle going on today between the angry Left, and the reasonable (but weak) Right; between Muslims and Jews/Christians; angry wives and decent husbands; the have nots and the haves; the cb'ers and traditional hams. The wrong side uses techniques of intimidation, accussation, and manipulation to 'recreate' the same behavior and thinking in others as in them - to make you one of them in other words.
The key is there is no need to outshout the adversaries, convince them, out think them, or stoop to their level. The battle between good and evil has already been won. Their side is already defeated. The only question is how many of us will they convert to take with them.
It's a spiritual (and psychological) battle. Don't be intimidated or confused. Understand the 'game' being played, don't get sucked in to their insane rationalizations, remain patient and you can't lose.
AB7JK
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by N9XCR on February 3, 2006
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AB7JK said,"People who scream 'racism' and 'facist' are 99% of the time that way themselves."
I hope you don't think I'm screaming racism, because I'm not. I was simply using my statement to demonstrate the similarity of racism to the statement that no-coders on HF means lower standards. Perhaps I could have stated it better or more clearly, but I was certainly not claiming racism.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by RobertKoernerExAE7G on February 3, 2006
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Nice prose Mike.
<amateur radio is not the same as picking up a cellphone or typing on a computer>
EME, scatter, ducting, E skip, F-skip, Long Path, Crooked Path, Gray Line, competing in a pile-up, making antennas, installing towers, picking out beam antennas, installing radial systems, restoring rigs�YUP, they don�t have anything to do with using a telephone, or the internet.
73
Bob
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KV7X on February 3, 2006
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"It makes me cringe every time I hear people blame cellphones and the internet for why young people lose interest in amateur radio."
But it does diminish the special appeal of two-way radio, when they're used to mobile phones, etc. Back in the 1970s in the UK if you were out and about away from home you were simply out of reach, with no way of contacting anyone unless you tracked down a phone box - imagine how odd that would feel now!"
Very true - nobody else in my crowd back in 1966 could communicate from their car like I could, with my Poly Com 2M AM transceiver and halo antenna. It was very cool ... but not so impressive these days!
Terry KV7X
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by N0IU on February 4, 2006
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AB7JK wrote, "It's not free as long as the cheapest 100 watts radios cost at least $400."
Well the number of manufacturers that make entry-level rigs has been reduced to just one - Icom. Yaesu has discontinued the FT-840 which leaves the IC-718 as the only entry-level rig on the market.
I guess the other manufacturers are gearing up for the day when FCC makes the mistake of listening to the ARRL and enacting their "enhanced" entry-level privileges. When that day comes, Technicians will automatically have a few crumbs of HF privileges and they will all need DC to Daylight radios. I guess the ARRL thinks that a 35-question multiple-guess test and a 5 WPM code test in order to upgrade to General are too much to ask of Technicians.
In case you didn't notice, they are suggesting reducing the maximum power from 200 watts to 100 watts on 15, 40 and 80 meters as part of these new privileges. This is really no big deal since most radios are 100 watts anyway. But wait, they also want to reduce maximum power on 10 meters to 50 watts! Good idea! Here we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle (or pretty close to it) and they want to cut power by 75%! Didn't they learn anything from incentive licensing when exising hams lost privileges? There are still people upset over that! And their reason for the power reduction? "The reason behind the change in Novice power limits is to avoid having to examine entry-level applicants about how to evaluate amateur stations for RF safety." (http://www.arrl.org/news/restructuring2/faq.html) GASP! Heaven forbid we should make Technicians memorize too much material for their test!
I hear people joke that once CW goes away, NCI will be replaced by NTI - No Test International. If its a joke, how come I'm not laughing?
Maybe the elimination of "cheap" HF rigs is the new filter for keeping the riff raff and undesireables out of ham radio. CW used to be the filter, but now that it is going away, the new filter will be the amount of money in your bank account or the limit on your credit card! Boy, are these new Technicians going to be surprised to learn how much it cost to get into ham radio!
Scott N0IU
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W5CMP on February 4, 2006
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mike
mike w5cmp six has been open pass three days.have not heard you.the sevens and sixs have thicker then pea soup.
73 have good weekend from mike w5cmp.
//////////one state away from was on six.yes kh6 call/////////////
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by WD40 on February 4, 2006
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Don't forget MURS, 151.82,151.88,151.94,154.60,154.570mhz, all license free. Of course you have to use certified narrowband fm radio equipment and keep your output power at 2 watts maximum but that hasn't stopped the hams in my town from using their converted 25 watt (and up) 2 meter rigs on the license free frequencies. It's like the new "skip free" CB...
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by NN6EE on February 4, 2006
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If you're a good "SCROUNGER" then even Amatuer Radio can be FREE!!! That's where the old adage comes into play whereby "necessity is the Mother of invention!"
:-)))
Jim/ee
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 4, 2006
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Haven't been on this site in awhile. Does anybody know if W9WHE cancelled his ARRL membership? And did he finally learn how to spell?
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by N9XCR on February 4, 2006
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NN6EE said, "If you're a good "SCROUNGER" then even Amatuer Radio can be FREE!!! That's where the old adage comes into play whereby "necessity is the Mother of invention!"
Yeah, what happened to homebrewing?
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KG4YJR on February 4, 2006
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My wife and I had to PAY for our exams. When did they change that? Even if it costs $0.01, it's not free.
A cell phone can be used 100% free for emergency 911 calls as mandated by our good friends at the FCC.
The FCC requirements state that ALL cell phones, regardless of the status of service (or even the lack of service,) shall be able to dial 911. Whether you have a telephone number or not, whether you have signed up for service or not, the cell phone can connect to 911.
FREE!
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KG4YJR on February 4, 2006
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>Haven't been on this site in awhile. Does anybody know if W9WHE cancelled his ARRL membership? And did he finally learn how to spell?<
I really hate to see stuff like that. Whenever someone disagrees with somebody else's opinion or they don't feel up to the challenge of a good debate, they go to the name calling and looking for character flaws to discredit the other person and make themselves feel superior. I personally don't know W9WHE's age and I don't agree with some of his positions but even when he and I have had our disagreements, he never insults or attacks me and likewise, I return the same courtesies. He and I will return with the insults though if that is the dialoge of the other person's preference or the only form of communication they can deal with.
Back to age issues. As many of you know there is a majority of "aged" hams out there and there are problems with age, medications and very serious medical conditions from bad eyesight to neurological that can be a big factor in someone's "spelling". Once someone informed me of these issues I've learned to refrain from saying, "duh....you can't spell" as I would hope the same courtesy would go towards me if my eyesight should fail or medications affect the way I read and write.
BTW - The ARRL is a public entity, not an individual.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W5HTW on February 5, 2006
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As long as this hobby/service is viewed as "last free means of communication" it will be seen as a utility, and not an activity that is of interest other than as a cheap or free cell phone. That means a lot of people getting into ham radio will not be interested in ham radio, but it circumventing cell phone charges. The result is they, to paraphrase a famous American, are not asking what they can contribute to amateur radio, but what it can do to provide them with a free service.
Probably the first thing that should be on anyone's mind when considering ham radio as an activity, is an interest in it. All too often, that doesn't happen, and the result is we have a lot of 'license holders' who honestly believe ham radio is just another cell phone. Or worse yet, another CB.
And it shows.
Ed
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by NN6EE on February 5, 2006
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Damn!!!
Ed you're RIGHT ON THE MONEY!!!
I also might add that the majority of "NCTS" are in their 40s and have a ATTITUDE to boot!!! Their's is even worse than our's!!!
Where Amateur Radio will go from here is anyone's guess!!!
Jim/ee
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 6, 2006
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K10U writes:
"Does anybody know if W9WHE cancelled his ARRL membership?"
Why not just call ARRL and ask them? Why not check to see if I am a member?
W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership?
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 6, 2006
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KG4YGR writes:
"Whenever someone disagrees with somebody else's opinion or they don't feel up to the challenge of a good debate, they go to the name calling and looking for character flaws to discredit the other person and make themselves feel superior".
So very true. A very astute observation.
Some people that can't win an argument on the merits resort to name calling and personal attacks as a way of prevailing. A perfect example is the angry left. If you disagree with them, you are a "moron", an "idiot" or a "liar".
Most of us prefer not to sink to that level.
Here is my observation. The harder you have to work for something, the more you respect and value it. But when something is "given" to you or you are automatically "entitled" to it, you have less respect. Unfortunately, the more ham radio is "given away" the less respect people will have for it....and the less civil it becomes. And the more we will see those with limited civility launch personal attacks.
Sad, but true.
W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership!
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 6, 2006
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W9WHE,
The point is, I really don't care. I don't have time to sift through your malcontent rantings that have gone on ad nauseum. As if you are so important.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KG6WLV on February 6, 2006
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Phrases like "angry left" are loaded, and are ad hominem attacks. They also politicize a discussion that has nothing to do with politics. IF THIS WEBSITE WERE PROPERLY EDITED, such irrelevancies would be deleted.
It's amazing how it always comes down to code, no-code. That learning Morse Code is somehow character building. How about learning to spell? Or type? Those build intellect and character, too. (I also fail to see how anyone could memorize a question pool of 500 questions. I studied the ARRL licensing training book, and took a test of ALL questions twice before taking the real test.)
I can't believe how a positive article praising our hobby/service could degenerate to this name-calling and debate about rules changes.
Believe it or not, there's room in this hobby for all of us, if we behave.
I've had some great experiences with ham radio in the last week. I worked my first 6-meter skip. I met some great hams on the air who were equally thrilled to work DX from a guy who was new to the hobby (six months on the air). The oldtimers and newer ops ALL welcomed me to the ham fraternity and it was a technically rewarding and a fascinating time for me.
I also did some hilltopping in our local state park with my relatively new HT and a small Yagi. I worked some great guys in the Bay Area who were pleased to QSO with me, and exchange technical details. Maybe it's boring to some, but I enjoy hearing about other stations and who they can work with their equipment, antennas and terrain considerations, etc.
A tourist and his family asked me about my antenna setup, and I got a chance to share some information about ham radio and our local state park. I think I created a positive notion in their mind about ham radio.
Being friendly, conscientious and curious will always make ham radio a cut above ANY unlicensed service. Puking all over each other and our various skill and interests levels will do more to wreck it than anything else.
And yes, I think the same as many others -- we invest what we can in our hobby/service and after that, it's relatively free. We can communicate anywhere we want with relatively few restrictions, choosing from a myriad of modes and bands. CB, FRS and the like are child's play compared to ham radio.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 6, 2006
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W9WHE,
Speaking of personal attacks, let me remind you of this; http://www.eham.net/forums/SiteTalk/444?page=1
Pot, do you hear the kettle paging?
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 7, 2006
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K1OU writes:
"The point is, I really don't care. I don't have time to sift through your malcontent rantings...."
For someone that "doesn't care" you seem to be doing an AWFUL lot of work. And if you bothered to do just a little more, you would note that I was the one that took the incomming on that thread and responded.
W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership!
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 7, 2006
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KG6WLV writes:
"Phrases like "angry left" are loaded, and are ad hominem attacks".
NONSENSE.
First: The term "angry left" is NOT a personal attack. It is a term that ACCURATELY describes about 20% of the US population.
Second: The term "angry left" is an ANALOGY that EVERYBODY BUT the 20% that make up the "angry left" understand. It refers to hate filled, frustrated people that believe that if YOU disagree with their narrow-minded view, that YOU SHOULD BE subjected to personal attacks, because you "deserve it" because you are a "moron" or are "too stupid" to understand.
Third: "The term "angry left" IS the state of affairs in this country. Its unfortunate, but a very real state of life for the 80% of people that do not subscribe to their "world view".
W9WHE
Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 7, 2006
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W9WHE,
It's really no work at all. You do it all for me by not knowing how and when to shut up.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 7, 2006
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"Accurately describes about 20% of the U.S. population."
That's funny. I didn't know that there is such data. Show me some facts. Do they have data on angry white conservatives who sit on their ass all day and hang out on Eham who are afraid that their grasp on power is eroding and that Republicans are less popular right now than Democrats were in 1994?
Or how about some data on angry white conservatives who have Alpha amplifiers who automatically think that anybody who does not agree with him must be a liberal?
Also, you didn't answer my post about how you were ask to stop with your ad hominem attacks?
Answer me on that...I'm waiting.......
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K1OU on February 7, 2006
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I guess you did reply about that thread. And your answer suggests that you take no responsibility. Sort of like the welfare state against which you so vehemently rail.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by NI0C on February 8, 2006
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"Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership"
What an accomplishment!
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by W9WHE-II on February 8, 2006
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N1OC writes:
"Proud to have CANCELLED my ARRL membership"
What an accomplishment!
Not really.
It was actually very easy. All I did was call ARRL, tell them I wanted to cancell my membership, and they refunded the ballance.
I ENCOURAGE EVERY HAM TO DO THE SAME. ITS FAST, ITS EASY AND MOST OF ALL, QUITE SATASFYING!
W9WHE
Proud to have cancelled my ARRL membership!
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by NI0C on February 8, 2006
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To W9WHE:
But you say you are proud about having accomplished this admittedly trivial task. So, why are you proud ?
73,
NI0C
Proud to be a member of ARRL, even though I don't agree with everything they do.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K6XT on February 9, 2006
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N0AH says:
"Time lost for hams every year mising work over a rare one being on is a huge amount. Costing American employers millions yet making millions for Japanese ham radio manufactuers and tens of thousands of dollars for MFJ."
Wow. Who cares about "millions lost"? Lost to whom? Certainly not the working ham, who has made a personal choice to burn some comp, sick of work, or vacation time that he got the hard way - he earned it. Or like me, no job, no boss, no money, retired. I burn time however I please. Without a single stick of MFJ equipment in the shack - not for any particular reason, just never bought any. And all my JA equipment was bought used from some other ham who no longer wanted it. Like new cars - The rich buy 'em new because it's like buying a hamburger to them, for the rest of us...well I won't go into that...As to the $10K, sadly I fall outside that boundary, but then again, that's another of those personal choices. Anyone like me who is serious about low band DX'ing probably didn't keep it under $10K. Back to chasing 3Y0X.
73 Art
www.k6xt.com
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K4JF on February 10, 2006
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Again: Ham radio IS the only free communications tool with international capabilities. Period. It is also the only DIRECT international communications tool.
Youngsters are amazed when I tell them I can link my computer with another in Europe or elsewhere without an internet connection, without a phone, directly to the other computer. And we can talk, too.
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by CB on February 12, 2006
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Free, are you kiddng me?
Fun yes, free no.
I don't know about you but I have way too much money tied up in radios, computers, antennas, coax, rig blasters, TNc's, speakers, power supplies, and on and on.
If I divide my number of contacts by the cost of all the equipment I have, I bet it costs me about 20 cents a minute!
just another point of view.
Don't get me wrong I love the hobby, but it isn't a free mode of communications.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K4JF on February 12, 2006
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Free as in no charge per minute and no infrastructure to pay. Yes, there is equipment cost, but very low. I have friends who play golf and spend thousands more per year than I do on equipment (and my station is no slouch).
I first got on the air for less than $80. Total equipment outlay. You'll pay more than that for a month of cellphone if you get a few bells and whistles.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K4JF on February 12, 2006
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... and CB, you pay more for the computer and STILL have to pay for all those emails......
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Last Free Means of Communication?
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by K7FD on February 13, 2006
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Somehow my VISA statement and all those transactions at HRO don't look free :)
Nonetheless, Ham Radio is still the King of Hobbies and worth every penny in so many ways, many of which have been covered by others here. What price do you place on a lifetime of friendships, connections, education, experience, etc...
There's a lot of FREEdom, too, in Amateur Radio communications...let's hope it stays that way!
73 John K7FD
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by N3NL on February 15, 2006
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The technical aspect of ham radio seems to be fading.
Check out the new Technician question pool.
Comparing the old Technician question pool
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/tech2003.txt
to the new one linked to the news story on the ARRL web site home page
http://www.ncvec.org/downloads/techpool.txt
indicates that the new pool is significantly less technical.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KB3HAM on February 16, 2006
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Being a young person my self (17), i see the same points that you are duscussing. When i tell my frends that i am in hamradio they just ask why dont i just use ptt on the cell phone. And i say that hamradio is free and has almost sollad covvarage know worrys about not haveing a signal with in reason of corse.
73 all
Doug
kb3ham
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by KC9BLT on February 17, 2006
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I would hardly call Amateur Radio Free. For the price of your fancy station and antennas and various accessories you could run your cell phone a very long time. Then there is the upkeep and you are paying for the electricity unless of course you are one of those "green" people who generate their own with wind and solar. Plus you are limited to the people you can talk to, and the talk is naturally mostly about radios and antennas and such. Amateur Radio is a hobby, albeit a hobby that has a public service aspect which is very good, such as disaster aid and storm spotting. Interesting messages all around though.
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KA2JIZ on February 18, 2006
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No form of mechanical/electrical communication is free...semephore, (buy/make the flags), smoke signal, (buy/make the blanket), telegraph (ok, WU is out of the biz), and, of course, your friendly phone company.
I think too much is made of the high cost of amateur radio gear. That need not be the case. You don't have to spend the cost of good used car. My gosh, a home-brew wire antenna, a cheap cw key, a third-hand transceiver (won't even suggest a kit) and, maybe a modest transmatch also third-hand, if you have done your research, you know how much your cash outlay would be. Hey, drop extra channel pay-tv for a year and make a serious effort of mastering the code and study for whatever class of license you may aspire to.
I think we all have to stop salivating over the next three-thousand dollar rig and use what we have. The not-yet-hams should really think about that...if they are genually interested in the hobby, repeat, hobby.
Contest weekend, so my TS-520 plug is pulled. May engage in some eye-ball qsoing. Hmm, might start a trend.
73
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RE: Last Free Means of Communication?
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by KA2JIZ on February 18, 2006
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Oops! Forgot to mention the cost of writing paper, envelopes, and postage stamps...and an occassional new Bic pen. 73
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