[AMPS] ARRL and QST

[Jon Ogden]

>If we want to grow the group that is interested in HF
>receivers and linears and restore economic health to the ham radio 
>industry, we
>need to scale back the CW requirements.

Well, there is no CW requirement for the VHF/UHF/Microwave bands.  Yet 
you don't see those bands filled with Techs who are developing linears 
and receivers, transverters, etc.  Yes, some do do that stuff.  But it 
certainly isn't restoring any sort of economic health.  Rather, most of 
the big gun experimenters in those bands are higher class ops who have 
grown weary of HF.

Opening HF to non-CW ops and restoring economic health are totally 
unrelated.  Those who want to learn all about amps will generally be 
willing to apply themselves to learn CW as well.

Yes, ham radio has certainly flourished with a no-code license.  It has 
made all the difference in the world.  VHF contests are full of thousands 
of techs who just love to operate.  EME contacts are becoming more 
popular than HF.  Satellites are all a buzz.  Repeaters are always active 
and simplex channels on FM always have a good QSO on them.  Yep!  A code 
free license class has most definitely helped VHF, so I suppose you are 
right, it will help the crowded HF bands as well.  Good idea.

73,

Jon
KE9NA


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Ogden

jono@enteract.com
www.qsl.net/ke9na

"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."


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