07-12-2011, 12:56 PM
Quote, David: "If any amateurs are reading this, perhaps they may identity with at least some of my sentiments about the hobby."
I am and indeed I do: all of them.
Your motivation / interests in this hobby are very similar to mine. However I have never got round to attempting to learn Morse. Yes, I have made several efforts over the years, but the driving force to learn just never seems to last. Like you, I had a lot of fun as an avid constructor and SWL in the '60's and later when I got my ticket on 2m. & 70 cm. A.M. & F.M. However, when repeaters arrived on VHF, it killed a lot of my interest, along with the growth of ssb. These days, I still can't seem to get my head around the vast numbers of Amateur Radio operators who seem to have such a small understanding of basic electronics and communications principles. Of course, the many reasons for this you have summarised above. With the growth of technology and all that that implies, I foresee AmRad declining into no more than a black-box talking machine hobby, which I, for one, will be sad to see. Nevertheless, I have fond memories of my early transmitting days, and one day I might just get around to restoring an old G2DAF transmitter and an ancient KW Vanguard that are languishing in one corner of the workshop: both need much serious work.
Al.
I am and indeed I do: all of them.
Your motivation / interests in this hobby are very similar to mine. However I have never got round to attempting to learn Morse. Yes, I have made several efforts over the years, but the driving force to learn just never seems to last. Like you, I had a lot of fun as an avid constructor and SWL in the '60's and later when I got my ticket on 2m. & 70 cm. A.M. & F.M. However, when repeaters arrived on VHF, it killed a lot of my interest, along with the growth of ssb. These days, I still can't seem to get my head around the vast numbers of Amateur Radio operators who seem to have such a small understanding of basic electronics and communications principles. Of course, the many reasons for this you have summarised above. With the growth of technology and all that that implies, I foresee AmRad declining into no more than a black-box talking machine hobby, which I, for one, will be sad to see. Nevertheless, I have fond memories of my early transmitting days, and one day I might just get around to restoring an old G2DAF transmitter and an ancient KW Vanguard that are languishing in one corner of the workshop: both need much serious work.
Al.
