Topband: The "Future" Of Ham Radio

[Eddy Swynar]

Hi Guys,

All of this talk about the use of remote receivers, DX spotting nets, etc. etc. etc. surely will have us all arrive to the point that our "human" individual efforts to develop a specialized "killer" Amateur radio station will be usurped and eclipsed by one, single thing: the computer.

Just as streaming companies such as Net Flix have put an end to the neighbourhood video disc rental store, and paper "hard" copies are being stopped by The Yellow Pages due to on-line information availability, so, too, will DXCC become redundant by the use of remote receivers, contesting will "degenerate" into an electronic battle of computer systems, ad nauseam.

In short, the human element will be effectively removed from the equation, and with it, any "fun" that we traditionally may have derived from such activities. That day surely is fast approaching when the intrepid radio op will be able to turn on his radios, set-up the computer, and then go peacefully to bed on the eve of a major contest...and to wake up, restfully in the morning, to wander down to the shack, coffee in hand, to learn that, in his physical absence, the station made well over 3000 QSOs in the contest, and exceeded minimum requirements for DXCC.

In conclusion, I have seen the enemy of Amateur radio---and the enemy is us.

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ