[Towertalk] The Ham Radio Business

[Bill Otten]

Well, I might toss my .02 in whilst everyone else is....
Sure, ham radio isn't what it used to be. We've seen a fair bunch of people
who might have made it into ham radio get lost to CB radio....once that
service was formed many who MIGHT have given some thought to ham radio took
the easy way out and many persist to this day running with illegal power and
out of bands. Maybe losing this segment wasn't so bad after all. Then, we've
had the internet where worldwide communications via voice, keyboard,
pictures are all within easy grasp for the masses, no huge investment or
study necessary. Cellular phones, an idea spawned from ham radio
handi-talkies and repeaters, now make cross continental conversation
easy..often with no long distance charges. So things have changed.

I have also....in the past couple of years of my over 27 year history in ham
radio I've expanded to the new digital modes, PSK31, computerized rtty, and
many new modes. In the past few months I've begun making satellite contacts.
There's still more to explore out there too....soon coherent cw and
digitized voice will be available. And other new stuff too....I hear a daily
group of fellows on 14.180 with tremendous sounding audio set ups. Yet
another area to explore.

Let's not lament the past, but work to expand our own operations.

Bill
KC9CS