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Author Topic: Lack of interest?  (Read 3086 times)

K4EMF

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2019, 04:00:53 PM »


What you seem to misunderstand is that the interests these people have is not inherently bound to being a ham radio operator.  They can express their interest in electronics and communications in other ways besides ham radio.  If the OFs keep telling them "that's not ham radio" then they'll do their hobby of "not ham radio" somewhere other than ham radio.

I see no problem here
Quote
You are correct to assume that people "stick with it".  The "it" they are sticking to is electronic experimentation.  If the OFs chase them away because it's "not ham radio" then they "stick with it" somewhere else.  A person that just entered ham radio will have little to hold them to the hobby.  Maybe they bought a handheld radio and an antenna.  That's maybe $200 in hardware, not a significant investment for many adults earning a wage.  Maybe they keep it "just in case".  Maybe they sell it.  Maybe they reprogram the radio for GMRS/FRS and use it there.  (You and I both know that using a ham radio on GMRS/FRS frequencies is illegal.  You and I also know that the chances of getting caught and punished is near zero.)

Why do you find it so difficult to believe that someone could leave ham radio so quickly and easily?

Seems like I've heard this sermon before.  Allow me to paraphrase. 

"Old folks" are destroying ham radio (despite record numbers of license holders) and are responsible for ALL of our communities ills (real or imagined) because they have the nerve, dare I say, Audacity to bitterly cling to their century old traditions.  While utterly failing in their presumed responsibility to shower the younger generation(s) with the praise and adulation they so desperately need to feel validated.  (participation trophies anyone?) Not to even mention our obviously nefarious habit of lamenting over the those evil Morse Code tests of years gone by.  Consequently mass numbers of electronic geniuses, Einsteins even, are supposedly fleeing our hobby in droves (despite record numbers of license holders) because they haven't be recognized for their efforts in...what was your example?  Turbocharging WiFi routers or some such? 

BTW, I asked about MacMuffins because for some strange reason every time I see your...uh...."alias" I read it as MacMuffin.  Maybe it's a Freudian thing?

K4EMF Jay aka Cyber Bully, Esq.
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K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2019, 05:19:44 AM »

"Mac"; "Why do you find it so difficult to believe that someone could leave ham radio so quickly and easily?"

I don't. And I wish they wouldn't. I cannot believe that the OF's are causing them to leave in droves, or to leave at all. If they try ham radio and tire of just chatting on their 2 meter handhelds, then, if not electronically inclined, it's almost taken for granted that they'll look elsewhere for entertainment, ie: Computer games, CB, a telephone, hot rodding, etc.

Those of us that "stick with it" are usually the ones that became enamored with the hobby because of either a direct or indirect experience with electronics, ie: a crystal set, meeting another ham, etc.

A doctor friend was utterly amazed with the fact that a headache remedy taken by his mother, when he was just a child, actually worked. He couldn't figure out how the medication was able to locate the pain and quell it. So intrigued that it caused him to study medicine and become a doctor.

I was loaned a crystal set and lost hours of sleep listening to it. The rest of the story is obvious to all who know me. (Maybe that explains my "craziness??") Hi.
If you love a hobby, a job, a woman, etc, you'll keep it. Sound logical? (The hobby and the woman prove my point! Hi.)

Charlie, K3UIM
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

W4KYR

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #17 on: June 03, 2019, 07:01:52 AM »

Who's time warp?  What is a TAE?

TAE must be short for WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh PA, eh...at 300 miles or so it was always too damned close to pick up on E-Skip even in the glory days of analog TV. 
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K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #18 on: June 03, 2019, 08:54:13 AM »

KYR:
<hidden text>Consarned teeny boppers! Don't know nuttin bout the good old days! Ole Tom would roll over in his grave! Sheesh!!<end text>
I seem to remember that KDKA was the first commercial radio station "registered" in America. I'm not familiar with WTAE, even though we live in Steelers Country, close to Pittsburgh.
Charlie, K3UIM
 
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #19 on: June 03, 2019, 09:30:45 AM »

And no, I wasn't there at the KDKA registering, though some might think otherwise. Hi (Probably just overslept and missed it.)
Charlie, K3UIM
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #20 on: June 03, 2019, 09:38:12 AM »

ND6M: I don't understand. Being here in Meadville, Pa. I can only assume that the alligator is for the Allegheny Gators football team?? (College)
Charlie, K3UIM
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

N2OJJ

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #21 on: June 21, 2019, 02:41:00 PM »

It hard to find them but there are people interested in building stuff.

I just picked up an old Heathkit DX-60A. I going to give it new life with a custom DDS VFO and see if theres anyone on AM anymore.

I even built built a few tube rigs to play with. Hope I don't have to wait for the next AM rally...

I started introducing Ham Radio at the local library's maker club. There was some interest.

I think I got the most attendance when I did an SDR demo.

I'm still hopeful....

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K4EMF

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #22 on: June 21, 2019, 02:59:21 PM »

...I just picked up an old Heathkit DX-60A. I going to give it new life with a custom DDS VFO and see if theres anyone on AM anymore.

I've always enjoyed the notion of AM, even though I never made many contacts using it.
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N2OJJ

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #23 on: June 24, 2019, 03:32:48 PM »

...I just picked up an old Heathkit DX-60A. I going to give it new life with a custom DDS VFO and see if theres anyone on AM anymore.

I've always enjoyed the notion of AM, even though I never made many contacts using it.

My father had a dx-20 with external VFO and a bunch of Hallicrfters. I had an S38 on my  ight table.

I also remember a Gonset or 2 and a lot of lafayette stuff. We'd go there almost every week.
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KOP

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #24 on: July 31, 2019, 10:43:59 AM »

It seems I have my fingers in several pies.

A little history. The crystal radio my grandfather and I built circa 1962. I'm forever amazed that voices and music came from that .
I did get a CW merit badge but I did it visually. It has been a life long impediment.
We had a Trans Oceanic in the home. For most I don't have to explain.
I had an S-53 by the bedside.
Then I was a teenager

I did find CB radio or it found me in my late teens.
Then NAVY.

After the service and an education the bug bit again . First phone and several local jobs in broadcast and marine service.
Eventually there was CB radio again. Although there were power restrictions there were no antenna restrictions.
I had enough of people an the city and headed for the woods. With enough space and wire you can do amazing things.
300 + feet of broadside array taught me plenty about phasing and the use of a GDO and noise bridge.
The temptation of a little more RF into the array got me noticed. When I got the predictable visit I had nothing in the house other than a stone legal , part 95 accepted radio hooked to 18 1/2 waves in phase. Officially I got a ERIP pink. Unofficially I received a compliment for ingenuity and asked why I was wasting my time on 11m .

Wasting my time on 11m ?  SSTV, RTTY, 300baud audio modems. 49/46MHz repeaters and remotes, RDF via remotely linked stations and successive approximation routines to resolve the location of aberrant stations/operators. Sure it was just .45MHz of  social misfits but I fit right in.
Since I lived at the base of two radio hills I had to rescue several hilltop techs that that did not have an appreciation for mother nature.
This led to a job with several land mobile companies and requests from several club repeaters .

I maintained my first phone and grand fathered GROL over the years and occasionally it came in handy .
All this time friends, family, acquaintances, and co-workers would be amateur licenses and bug me about a license.
Eventually I took my 45 years of experience into an ARRL VE session and passed. Extra in a day, or 45 years.

I've never been far from radio. Radio has always held that same fascination as the crystal radio
Ididn't initially gravitate to the latest , greatest but restored a WH-101, Tempo 2020 and settled with a TS-830S as a daily driver.
I do own a shack in the box FT-857 but it largely gathers dust.
HR-2510's seem to multiply here almost as much as Baofengs.
Recently I acquired a uBitx and some interesting pieces from NXP.
I've built or restored most of my test gear. If I can't repair it it doesn't get repaired. No one else does my work.

I haven't joined any clubs and doubt I will. I'm a never leaguer for my own reasons. I do however thank the ARRL for my VE . I've signed over 300 605's in the last 3 years.

I continue to experiment and happily rag chew and answer CQ as often as I randomly call.
For now I'm strictly phone and obscure digital modes .
There is some question as to whether my fist , ear or key is more rusty.

Now some observations.

I must have found the worlds worst hams at the worst possible field day operations , not once but twice.
Their sanctimonious , holier than though , church of st Hiram , safety vest , whacker attitudes drove me off each time.
I nearly didn't take my original test as we were excluded from the general meeting prior to or testing.
I've been confronted on the air about being new and not having a clue about amateur radio.
My better half (also an extra) has been patronized and subject to misogynistic dolts frequently. This most often happens at a VE session.
"So when are you going to get a license little lady?"  ... as she dons her VE badge and asks the general , "When are you going to upgrade?"

I've given repeated exams to challenged and challenging prospective hams only to see them finally pass with relief , smiles and congratulations.
I witnessed my pretty lady obtain he grandfather's call sign.
I've made the acquaintance of a  Korean War Vet that was able to get his original novice call back after near 60 years.
I've signed the CSCE of the wife of an SK that decided to take the plunge rather than sell off the shack.
I've gone over a failed exam with an 11 year old boy whose pride was severely damaged by his 9 year old sister passing.
I helped sell off an estate of choice equipment for top dollar rather than see anyone take advantage of a grieving widow. A year later the widow sent me his well worn J-38 .

From the crystal radio to the microprocessor radios of today it's all radio to me.
From the CW stalwart licensed for decades to the prepper with the Baofeng they're all operators.
I hide my opinions well and put the best face on amateur radio that I can.
I explore the many facets of the service (or hobby) if for no other reason than to be able to provide good answers to the prospective or new ham.
I teach. As I'm teaching I learn.

There is something here for everyone . I've realized though that the one that responds to my handheld with an iPhone may not be a willing audience let alone an interested party.
I'm disappointed by the "tech upgrade for nothing" contingent. Not because of the "me too" or the "participation trophy mentality" but because of the blank stare I get when I say "privilege is earned" . It seems to be a concept so foreign to these people that any attempt at reason results in that same blank stare.
I'm hopeful because of the exams I've participated in. The new blood will do us good.
I'm also thankful that the ARRL may, may just, be accomplishing a much needed change. Time will tell.

In the end it's just this simple for me . see you down the log...   
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I considered a microwave oven magnetron and a 4' dish as a drone-killer. The ERP would be on the order of a hundred thousand watts or so. ~anon

November 28, 2018, 09:16:04 AM

K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #25 on: July 31, 2019, 03:08:39 PM »

Dennis,
WOW!
Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #26 on: July 31, 2019, 10:34:19 PM »

As per your pm: You've wrapped up a ham's lifetime in your last entry. Loved it! hi.
Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

K4EMF

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #27 on: August 01, 2019, 07:11:10 AM »

KOP

+ 1 !
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N0YXB

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #28 on: August 01, 2019, 08:09:32 AM »

I enjoyed your post. Thanks for advancing the hobby.


There is something here for everyone . I've realized though that the one that responds to my handheld with an iPhone may not be a willing audience let alone an interested party.

Indeed!
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K3UIM

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RE: Lack of interest?
« Reply #29 on: August 02, 2019, 07:59:05 AM »

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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!
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