Topband: future of ham radio

[Roger Kennedy]

I appreciate the point about trying to get youngsters interested in the
hobby . . .

However, the trouble with the computer-based Digital modes is that there is
no SKILL involved in having a contact - it's your Computer having a contact!

That lack of skill and therefore achievement is what gets people hooked into
a hobby - if there's none they will quickly become bored.  

Look what happened with the countless new Amateurs (with new
easy-to-get-licences) who just came on VHF and used Repeaters - they quickly
got bored and most are now inactive, unless they were fortunate to have
someone show them how satisfying making REAL contacts can be.

The same can be said about Motor Racing . . . if the cars people used
getting into the sport all had ABS, Traction Control, Automatic Transmission
etc etc it would be pretty boring and they'd soon lose interest.

73 Roger G3YRO