A few comments, based on what I heard in that and my interpretations of what he said.
1. There was an undercurrent of the classical highly-competitive spirit that is intrinsic to American culture. As such, his viewpoints should not be taken as representative of AmRad world-wide; some of his comments were applicable to the USA only.
2. Yes, AmRad has changed a great deal from what is was in the 1960s. What hasn't? And that covers his comments about youngsters obtaining a licence. I'm not sure about the USA, but obtaining a licence in the U.K. is a lot easier now than what it was in the 1960s (and earlier).
3. He did say that Americans calling CQ DX meant that any American producing such a call did not want to speak to Americans. Sorry, but he's wrong there. I have heard American AmRad stations calling CQ DX on 40 m. for inter-continental USA contacts: the USA is a large country, geographically.
4. His remark about AmRad 'operators' being brave when 'hiding behind a microphone' but not as brave during an 'eye-ball' is not restricted to Amateur Radio, as anyone who has used the Internet to communicate will testify.
Overall, he seemed to be quite unhappy with his (recent?) experiences in Amateur Radio. I suspect that he actually doesn't like most of the changes that have taken place in Amateur Radio since he was first licensed as a youngster. But Life does things like that: constant change. So, in Amateur Radio, like any other hobby that you choose to follow, if it no longer appeals - give it up and do something else! I did: I went back to being an SWL - and I don't do much of that these days, either. But I'm not moaning about it: I have lots of other interests.
The video is named "The truth revealed about Amateur Radio". I can't agree to that. "My viewpoint on Amateur Radio today (and in the USA)" seems a more appropriate title.
Al.
1. There was an undercurrent of the classical highly-competitive spirit that is intrinsic to American culture. As such, his viewpoints should not be taken as representative of AmRad world-wide; some of his comments were applicable to the USA only.
2. Yes, AmRad has changed a great deal from what is was in the 1960s. What hasn't? And that covers his comments about youngsters obtaining a licence. I'm not sure about the USA, but obtaining a licence in the U.K. is a lot easier now than what it was in the 1960s (and earlier).
3. He did say that Americans calling CQ DX meant that any American producing such a call did not want to speak to Americans. Sorry, but he's wrong there. I have heard American AmRad stations calling CQ DX on 40 m. for inter-continental USA contacts: the USA is a large country, geographically.
4. His remark about AmRad 'operators' being brave when 'hiding behind a microphone' but not as brave during an 'eye-ball' is not restricted to Amateur Radio, as anyone who has used the Internet to communicate will testify.
Overall, he seemed to be quite unhappy with his (recent?) experiences in Amateur Radio. I suspect that he actually doesn't like most of the changes that have taken place in Amateur Radio since he was first licensed as a youngster. But Life does things like that: constant change. So, in Amateur Radio, like any other hobby that you choose to follow, if it no longer appeals - give it up and do something else! I did: I went back to being an SWL - and I don't do much of that these days, either. But I'm not moaning about it: I have lots of other interests.
The video is named "The truth revealed about Amateur Radio". I can't agree to that. "My viewpoint on Amateur Radio today (and in the USA)" seems a more appropriate title.
Al.
