Topband: The "Future" Of Ham Radio

[k8bhz at hughes.net]

Hi Eddy,

As usual, you've nailed it squarely! For many years I was an avid 2 meter 
DXer, really enjoying meteor scatter on ssb and moonbounce with cw. When 
digital methods came in  to make those modes much easier, the challenge was 
gone & I left. I honestly felt that a qsl request for such contacts should 
have been rejected with the comment "Sorry OM, but you didn't work me, you 
worked my computer. I personally never heard you...". Notice also that you 
don't hear much about meteor scatter any more, and that many EME regulars 
have left the field. As BB King said: "The Thrill is Gone".

In order to leave all that, I took up TopBand DXing. It appears that history 
is now repeating itself. It seems that newcomers want the easy way out, and 
technology supplies it. Instant gratification, regardless how hollow, seems 
to be the new goal.

Brian  K8BHZ

-----Original Message----- 
From: Eddy Swynar
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 7:59 AM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: The "Future" Of Ham Radio

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
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