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Reaching across the chronological divide

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Clay Autery-2

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

EXCEPT in the case of those belonging to the group having the 6%
"Importance Factor".
They consider themselves too important to go along with ANYTHING, to
include rules, laws, et al.

They require all statistics rounded to the nearest integer.....

...except during leap years when the decimal portion of all figures is
merely truncated.

Sorry.... it's Christmas Eve!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of my Elecraft Friends and Family!!!

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 24-Dec-19 09:44, W8JH wrote:

>
> >Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?
>
> I can vouch for the 83.295% and add that it is well known that 89.774852% of
> people readily accept more specific statistics.
>
>
>
>
> -----
> 73,
>
> Joe, W8JH

Gwen Patton

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

On the subject of emergency support...

My local club did a documentary a bunch of years ago about how the club
turned to and helped with a local flood. It was in the archives when I was
Archivist, so we got it converted into a video file and posted it on
YouTube (with the club's permission). Since then, it has gotten a lot of
views, and is one of the ways we help promote ham radio in our area. The
beginning is a more modern introduction to the documentary:
https://youtu.be/xYx8VNzYwRE

But I also like to call attention to Clinton B. DeSoto's book "Calling CQ",
a bunch of great stories about how ham radio helped during disasters and
other emergencies. I helped curate it, with the permission of his estate.
You can read it at the Internet Archive, here:
https://archive.org/details/CallingCq-AdventureOfShort-waveRadioOperators

Then there's the 1939 "Pete Smith Specialty" short film by MGM called
"Radio Hams". It's very similar to the stories in Calling CQ, and I think
some of the segments were based on them. It's a little hokey, but the
subject matter is good. https://youtu.be/1BPcpQMbUPE

73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Tue, Dec 24, 2019 at 6:01 PM Clay Autery <[hidden email]> wrote:

> EXCEPT in the case of those belonging to the group having the 6%
> "Importance Factor".
> They consider themselves too important to go along with ANYTHING, to
> include rules, laws, et al.
>
> They require all statistics rounded to the nearest integer.....
>
> ...except during leap years when the decimal portion of all figures is
> merely truncated.
>
> Sorry.... it's Christmas Eve!
>
> MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of my Elecraft Friends and Family!!!
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> (318) 518-1389
>
> On 24-Dec-19 09:44, W8JH wrote:
> >
> > >Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?
> >
> > I can vouch for the 83.295% and add that it is well known that
> 89.774852% of
> > people readily accept more specific statistics.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----
> > 73,
> >
> > Joe, W8JH
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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--

-+-+-+-+-
Jenny Everywhere's Infinite: Quark Time
http://quarktime.net
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Phil Kane-2

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

In reply to this post by Dave Heil

On 12/24/2019 1:30 PM, k8mn wrote:

> During my embassy assignments in Guinea Bissaue, Sierra Leone and
> Botswana, I participated in JOTA with Cincinnati Boy Scouts through
> N8DL. I even had Botswana Scouts in my shack to speak with the
> Cincinnati scouts.I don't ever recalling ARRL adverts in Boy's Life
> but plenty of stories in the magazine mentioning amateur radio and
> the League. Perhaps one of you will write one.

Long time no hear, Dave!

I got my interest in SWL radio and onto ham radio from a project in Boys
Life in the late 1940s. It also helped that one of my father's buddies
was a radio repair tech during WW-II but Harry was not a ham himself.
Memories of NY's Cortlandt Street Radio Row, sadly the Ground Zero of
9/11 memory.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Bill Frantz

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

One of the young people in our club -- late 20s or early 30s is
my guess -- said at a meeting that he liked contesting because
in a contest, he does not have to listen to old men describing
their medical problems. He is now a very up and coming contester.

Moral of the story, try to rag chew about fun things when
talking with strangers.

My own observation is that conversation with strangers is an art
form. It can easily be practiced in airport waiting rooms, but
perhaps the best place is the club car on a long distance train.
Skill in it is valuable for a radio rag chewer.

(And I miss rag chewing with PSK31. FT8 just isn't the same.)

Yesterday, my 6 year old grandson was lucky enough to receive a
pair of walkie-talkies. They are AM units on 49.86 MHz. I was
able to receive them with my KX3 and an AT1. He has been using
them quite actively since he opened them.

They also have a morse code chart printed on the radio and a
button to use for sending morse code. My grandson's father
(KI6NVN, but not a CW op) and I described morse code to him, and
I sent some things, including his name, in code. We told him we
didn't expect him to learn code quickly -- he's just in
kindergarten -- but we would let him hear what it sounds like.
Who knows where this moment will lead.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 12/22/19 at 11:37 PM, [hidden email] (Don Wilhelm) wrote:

>Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on
>80 and 40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling
>a bit about ourselves and getting the same in return.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | it. | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | - Scott McNealy | Los Gatos,
CA 95032

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Wes Stewart-2

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

Please don't let him learn code by sight. I taught myself from the list in my
Boy Scout Handbook (still have it) and I've never overcome doing it the wrong
way. Passed a 20 WPM Extra exam but it was a struggle. Still my favorite mode
though.

Wes N7WS

On 12/26/2019 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:

>
>
> They also have a morse code chart printed on the radio and a button to use for
> sending morse code. My grandson's father (KI6NVN, but not a CW op) and I
> described morse code to him, and I sent some things, including his name, in
> code. We told him we didn't expect him to learn code quickly -- he's just in
> kindergarten -- but we would let him hear what it sounds like. Who knows where
> this moment will lead.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV

k6dgw

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

A number of years ago [probably more than comes to my mind], someone
published a table of sub-allocations for 75 meters derived from its
nickname, "The Medical Band," not to be confused with "Medicine Band,"
an 80's band from Los Angeles playing "noise pop." All who know what
noise pop sounds like please raise your hand.

I don't remember the details but I know there was a sub-band reserved
for diseases of the digestive tract with a sub-sub-band allocated for
persistent heartburn and belching.

And, yes, the art of the rag chew seems to be fading.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/26/2019 11:46 AM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> One of the young people in our club -- late 20s or early 30s is my
> guess -- said at a meeting that he liked contesting because in a
> contest, he does not have to listen to old men describing their
> medical problems. He is now a very up and coming contester.

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Eric Norris-2

Re: Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

In reply to this post by Wes Stewart-2

Wes is right, learning Morse by reading it is a disaster, and will hamper
him for life. It took me decades to learn why I had so much trouble--I
finally ran into another ham with the same problem.

73 Eric WD6DBM

On Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 11:57 AM Wes <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Please don't let him learn code by sight. I taught myself from the list
> in my
> Boy Scout Handbook (still have it) and I've never overcome doing it the
> wrong
> way. Passed a 20 WPM Extra exam but it was a struggle. Still my favorite
> mode
> though.
>
> Wes N7WS
>
>
> On 12/26/2019 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> >
> >
> > They also have a morse code chart printed on the radio and a button to
> use for
> > sending morse code.
>

Tom Azlin W7SUA

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

In reply to this post by EricJ

Sorry to not agree EricJ.

I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs with
hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.

At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work in
progress.

73, tom w7sua

On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:

> We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
> "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
> her."
>
> Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
> talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in specialized
> equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The contact is set
> up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when the link is
> ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young people, then just
> shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
>
> Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified as
> utilitarian communication because it's expensive and inefficient. If
> the point is to contact your friends any time you want to, they are
> already doing that with a half a dozen reliable instant technologies
> all accessible from the same smartphone. I don't get where ham radio
> comes in to solve a problem they have already solved. Certainly not
> with a system that requires waiting 15 minutes for a satellite to get
> in position, and a Cupertino Robot to set up the call.
>
> I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
> changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects of
> the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
> itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
> friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
> to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
> OM PSE QSL".
>
> I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
> cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd look
> up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip on the
> air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and chit chat
> for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the rest of us
> never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell for that.
> But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
> practical.
>
> The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
> found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
> the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
> wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
> make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
> ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
> retro turntables.
>
> Eric KE6US
>
> ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
>
>
> On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
>> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
>> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
>>
>> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
>> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
>> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
>> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
>> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
>> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
>> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
>>
>> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
>> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
>> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
>> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
>> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
>> repeater systems and HF).
>>
>> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
>> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
>> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
>>
>> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
>> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
>> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
>> smartphone.
>>
>> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
>> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
>> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
>> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
>> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
>> a conversation from a possible radio future.
>>
>> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
>> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
>> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
>> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
>> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
>> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
>>
>> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
>> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
>> it happen ?
>>
>> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
>> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
>> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
>> chronological divide
>>
>> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
>> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
>> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
>> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
>> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
>> distance.
>>
>> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
>> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
>>
>> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
>> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
>> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
>> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
>> stirred.
>>
>> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
>>
>> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
>>
>> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
>>
>> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
>> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
>>
>> 73, Wayne N6KR

Tom Azlin W7SUA

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

Hi Dave.

My KX3 does really well. I suspect the KX2 had before would be the same.
So I would posit that Elecraft has already filled that need in my shack.

73, tom w7sua

On 12/15/2019 12:22 PM, David Gilbert wrote:

>
>
> By the way, and more directly related to Elecraft and Wayne's original
> post, not too long ago I proposed that Elecraft might consider building
> a smallish, portable, dedicated FT8/4 radio. Something with a screen and
> using the core engine of WSJT-X but with a much better user interface, a
> better logger, and the ability to actually say something (i.e., more
> than four message lines). It got almost zero traction here, and none
> from Elecraft, but I still think it wouldn't be a bad idea. Think of it
> as the HF equivalent of texting.
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E

NJ8M

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

In reply to this post by Tom Azlin W7SUA

Chronological divide, Heh. I am 67 years old, for 7 years I played WoW, for
6 years I played Everquest and for 5 years I have played Guild Wars 2. I
enjoyed each of these games. I moved on to the more progressive game but
still enjoy playing them from time to time. I only play GW2 at this time.
Making the games set up and work with all peripherals is no harder than
setting up FT8. Setting up RTTY with 2 or 3 decoders and getting everything
to work...much harder. I am finding that many people in their 40s and 50s
are getting into Amateur Radio. Some want the challenge of making stuff
work, some want the antenna building experience, some want kit building but
most seem to be from a subset of the population that are what one might
call internet geeks. These guys do great in the transition to ham radio.
Many gamers spend upwards to 2k$ on a video card only for their game box.
So, $$$ is generally not a limiting option for this group. When they get
hooked, they are hooked hard. In NCJ a few years ago, there was an article
about contesting and video games. The parallels between the 2 of being "in
the zone" were made. The same psychological high is involved but actually,
it is more involved and dynamic than an online game.

Pile ups, gotta love them, any mode you can get them, cw or ssb will
provide that psychological high that melts the time away and keeps you on
your toes. One can get so involved that you have to force yourself to take
a deep breath and relax the shoulders and refocus on your posture so you
can continue to run. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours later, you have to pee, get a
drink, grab a snack and get at it again. It is addicting. I am glad that cw
contests are not every weekend because my life would end. LOL. SERIOUS
online gaming requires raiding to really advance in MMORPG games. Serious
ranking for WRTC takes the same. It takes tech, engineering, $$$ and
commitment to advance in the world of contesting. What reward? Well, if you
like to compete then this is your mojo. If you like to collect wallpaper
for working all places, counties, countries, etc it is there. If you want
to be recognised in a magazine for contest performance that is here.

In the ham radio world there are no cash prizes. Not so in the gaming
world, there really are professional gamers. Heh for that matter, I used to
farm gold in games and sell it for $$$. I did this while waiting to Raid.
In games you have dps meters and one always tried to be on the top of the
pile by being best in your class for whatever your function was. N1MM has a
rate meter and mults window based on band population and feedback and
spotting networks. How does one get these gamers to transition to Amateur
Radio? Good question. When I state that my hobby is Ham Radio, I get, "I
did not think people did that now. Or Really, what is that? Why would you
do that?" the conclusion that I get from these comments is: there is not
enough exposure of the population to Amateur Radio. Plain and simple people
just don't hear about it or see it in action. There are no public special
events. There are not enough elmers to encourage people. There are no
longer any towers being put up because of HOA and zoning ordinance rules.
Towers used to be focal points for people to talk about. Why does he have a
tower? Once that question was asked then a tour of the shack generally was
involved and maybe 1 in 10 or 20 became interested to progress into the
hobby. Rarely do you see a tower any more. Less exposure, less questions,
about the hobby. People in general are curious.

If we want Amateur Radio to survive, we as a whole have to whet that
curiosity. We have to be Elmers. We have to welcome people and encourage
them to get involved. We have to be honest about the realistic expectations
of the hobby both in what it can and can not do, what is going to be the
realistic cost to get going from marginal rig/station to contest capable
station. The greatest disservice that is currently being done is licensing.
I traveled for 23 years up and down the east coast. I have attended many
radio club meetings and the focus has been licensing, getting more hams.
Sadly, that is not the answer. Many of those that got the license never
operated. Then there are the shack-on-the-crack 2 meter hams that just get
on repeaters and yack all day long. The same 3 or 4 guys on the repeater
day in and day out talking about the same thing. Heck if I were a new ham,
I would give it up in short order and try to sell my baufong asap. The
problem is even though we get people licensed there is little or No
followup with helping them get on the air. When I got my license over 50
years ago, I studied the Ameco Radio theory course. I bought the ARRL
handbook. That was my bible, my religion when I was 12 years old and living
on the farm. Today you buy a license manual. It has all the questions and
answers. Marking out all the wrong answers so that only the question and
right answer appears and after reading just the question and the answer
through 6 times and never reading anything else, there is a good chance
that a person will pass the exam and never know a damned thing about radio
but they will be an Extra. Whoopie. I expect a fire war when I say this and
that is, most extra class hams licensed with in the last 15 years are
dumber than a bag of hammers when it comes to radio theory, operation,
station building, safe practices or anything as simple as soldering or
crimping on a PL259. Much less do they know what an SO239 is and what it is
used for. Then there are those that sell new hams broken or marginal radios
and that despoils them on the hobby. There are tons of pitfalls to getting
new hams into the hobby. The problem is not licensing, it is helping the
peer get going so they can have fun. Whether it be CW, SSB, Contesting,
Satellite work, building antennas or kits or just helping choose equipment
and antennas and helping with that first QSO, those are the things we need
to be doing. I have no proof of this, but, if a new ham does not get on HF
quickly after getting licensed he or she will not be long for the hobby.
Getting them invested in more than listening to a squelch tail is what
needs to be done.

I praise Elecraft in their business model. First and foremost, they do not
produce crap radios. They are clean. They can be used in tough conditions.
For the most part with reasonable care and feeding, they are bombproof.
Plus, they have a price point for almost every entry into the HF spectrum
of the hobby. Their KX2 is a marvel for mountain top operating or the
traveling ham that wants a park-bench QSO in his down time. It is a quality
radio under the 1k$ mark. Next is their KX3. It has a way better RX, extra
bands and more power and sells well equipped for under 2K$. Then enter the
K3S, now discontinued. It was the gold standard of all contest radios well
equipped for Under 4k$. Now they have the K4 iterations which I believe
will set a new standard for further manufacture of ham radios. In wondering
if Eric and Wayne were gamers, they made a radio that can be upgraded by
plugging in new cards which is congruent with upgrading a computer game
machine. Because their focus has been quality before beauty, seemingly,
they produce an excellent radio, which is durable and does not have the LS
branding of chrome and fancy knobs to detract from lack of performance
found in other brands. Any of their radios can be used to contest and they
are not painful to use. Every time I have called Elecraft, I get someone
who answers my questions. Honest, to the point answers and service beyond
what any other manufacturer has today. I am not forwarded to the call
center where it is like working DX with QRM and QSB trying to understand
the person on the other end. Yes, I own some junk radios, 991A, 450D, 746,
Xeigu, and not one of those radios compares to a KX2 in functionality of
RX. If you can't hear them you can't work them. My current radio for the
past 5 years is the K3S with a second RX. I have worked thousands of QSOs
on that radio. Nothing keeps its trade in value like an Elecraft. If a new
ham can afford an Elecraft, you have not done him a disservice in
recommending one to him. For a new ham, buying an Elecraft and putting up a
resonant antenna is almost a guarantee for successful communication.

Yes, I drank the koolaid, and I continue to do so. It tastes great. I want
more. I guess that is why I ordered 2 K4s in group 1.

73,
Morgan NJ8M

BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on
fire with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000
watts. LOL

On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 12:27 PM Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Sorry to not agree EricJ.
>
> I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
> modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs with
> hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.
>
> At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
> rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
> ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work in
> progress.
>
> 73, tom w7sua
>
> On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:
> > We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
> > "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
> > her."
> >
> > Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
> > talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in specialized
> > equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The contact is set
> > up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when the link is
> > ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young people, then just
> > shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
> >
> > Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified as
> > utilitarian communication because it's expensive and inefficient. If
> > the point is to contact your friends any time you want to, they are
> > already doing that with a half a dozen reliable instant technologies
> > all accessible from the same smartphone. I don't get where ham radio
> > comes in to solve a problem they have already solved. Certainly not
> > with a system that requires waiting 15 minutes for a satellite to get
> > in position, and a Cupertino Robot to set up the call.
> >
> > I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
> > changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects of
> > the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
> > itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
> > friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
> > to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
> > OM PSE QSL".
> >
> > I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
> > cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd look
> > up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip on the
> > air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and chit chat
> > for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the rest of us
> > never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell for that.
> > But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
> > practical.
> >
> > The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
> > found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
> > the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
> > wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
> > make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
> > ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
> > retro turntables.
> >
> > Eric KE6US
> >
> > ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
> >
> >
> > On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> >> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
> >> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
> >> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
> >>
> >> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
> >> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
> >> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
> >> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
> >> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
> >> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
> >> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
> >>
> >> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
> >> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
> >> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
> >> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
> >> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
> >> repeater systems and HF).
> >>
> >> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
> >> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
> >> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
> >>
> >> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
> >> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
> >> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
> >> smartphone.
> >>
> >> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
> >> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
> >> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
> >> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
> >> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
> >> a conversation from a possible radio future.
> >>
> >> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
> >> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
> >> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
> >> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
> >> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
> >> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
> >>
> >> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
> >> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
> >> it happen ?
> >>
> >> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
> >>
> >> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
> >> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
> >> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
> >> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
> >> chronological divide
> >>
> >> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
> >> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
> >> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
> >> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
> >> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
> >> distance.
> >>
> >> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
> >> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
> >>
> >> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
> >> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
> >> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
> >> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
> >> stirred.
> >>
> >> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
> >>
> >> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
> >>
> >> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
> >>
> >> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
> >> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
> >>
> >> 73, Wayne N6KR
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

len

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

This is funny:

" I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class hams
licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers when it
comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices or
anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259."

I'm one of those Hams that is dumber than a hammer. I got my Novice license
in 1974 and finally got around to upgrading to Extra in the last 15 year.
Actually since CW is my favorite mode of operation I was ambivalent about
upgrading. Only till I realized Extras don't need to memorize that band
edges did I upgrade.

No, I don't waste time on games. I spent the last forty years building a
career. I ran an R&D team for 5, was CTO of multiple companies, I do both
electronic and software engineering, oh did I mention I have 14 patents? I
can solder the smallest surface mount devices by hand. I just finished
building an observatory in my back yard. I built a 1965 replica Cobra, a
GIANT analog synth, and I restore vintage computers. (Real ones 8008/8080
era...)

No, please just send me the golden hammer, I admit, I'm the dumbest of all
dummies and proud of it.

73

len

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Morgan Bailey
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2021 1:32 PM
To: Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide

Chronological divide, Heh. I am 67 years old, for 7 years I played WoW, for
6 years I played Everquest and for 5 years I have played Guild Wars 2. I
enjoyed each of these games. I moved on to the more progressive game but
still enjoy playing them from time to time. I only play GW2 at this time.
Making the games set up and work with all peripherals is no harder than
setting up FT8. Setting up RTTY with 2 or 3 decoders and getting everything
to work...much harder. I am finding that many people in their 40s and 50s
are getting into Amateur Radio. Some want the challenge of making stuff
work, some want the antenna building experience, some want kit building but
most seem to be from a subset of the population that are what one might call
internet geeks. These guys do great in the transition to ham radio.
Many gamers spend upwards to 2k$ on a video card only for their game box.
So, $$$ is generally not a limiting option for this group. When they get
hooked, they are hooked hard. In NCJ a few years ago, there was an article
about contesting and video games. The parallels between the 2 of being "in
the zone" were made. The same psychological high is involved but actually,
it is more involved and dynamic than an online game.

Pile ups, gotta love them, any mode you can get them, cw or ssb will provide
that psychological high that melts the time away and keeps you on your toes.
One can get so involved that you have to force yourself to take a deep
breath and relax the shoulders and refocus on your posture so you can
continue to run. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours later, you have to pee, get a drink,
grab a snack and get at it again. It is addicting. I am glad that cw
contests are not every weekend because my life would end. LOL. SERIOUS
online gaming requires raiding to really advance in MMORPG games. Serious
ranking for WRTC takes the same. It takes tech, engineering, $$$ and
commitment to advance in the world of contesting. What reward? Well, if you
like to compete then this is your mojo. If you like to collect wallpaper for
working all places, counties, countries, etc it is there. If you want to be
recognised in a magazine for contest performance that is here.

In the ham radio world there are no cash prizes. Not so in the gaming world,
there really are professional gamers. Heh for that matter, I used to farm
gold in games and sell it for $$$. I did this while waiting to Raid.
In games you have dps meters and one always tried to be on the top of the
pile by being best in your class for whatever your function was. N1MM has a
rate meter and mults window based on band population and feedback and
spotting networks. How does one get these gamers to transition to Amateur
Radio? Good question. When I state that my hobby is Ham Radio, I get, "I did
not think people did that now. Or Really, what is that? Why would you do
that?" the conclusion that I get from these comments is: there is not enough
exposure of the population to Amateur Radio. Plain and simple people just
don't hear about it or see it in action. There are no public special events.
There are not enough elmers to encourage people. There are no longer any
towers being put up because of HOA and zoning ordinance rules.
Towers used to be focal points for people to talk about. Why does he have a
tower? Once that question was asked then a tour of the shack generally was
involved and maybe 1 in 10 or 20 became interested to progress into the
hobby. Rarely do you see a tower any more. Less exposure, less questions,
about the hobby. People in general are curious.

If we want Amateur Radio to survive, we as a whole have to whet that
curiosity. We have to be Elmers. We have to welcome people and encourage
them to get involved. We have to be honest about the realistic expectations
of the hobby both in what it can and can not do, what is going to be the
realistic cost to get going from marginal rig/station to contest capable
station. The greatest disservice that is currently being done is licensing.
I traveled for 23 years up and down the east coast. I have attended many
radio club meetings and the focus has been licensing, getting more hams.
Sadly, that is not the answer. Many of those that got the license never
operated. Then there are the shack-on-the-crack 2 meter hams that just get
on repeaters and yack all day long. The same 3 or 4 guys on the repeater day
in and day out talking about the same thing. Heck if I were a new ham, I
would give it up in short order and try to sell my baufong asap. The problem
is even though we get people licensed there is little or No followup with
helping them get on the air. When I got my license over 50 years ago, I
studied the Ameco Radio theory course. I bought the ARRL handbook. That was
my bible, my religion when I was 12 years old and living on the farm. Today
you buy a license manual. It has all the questions and answers. Marking out
all the wrong answers so that only the question and right answer appears and
after reading just the question and the answer through 6 times and never
reading anything else, there is a good chance that a person will pass the
exam and never know a damned thing about radio but they will be an Extra.
Whoopie. I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class
hams licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers
when it comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices
or anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259. Much less do they
know what an SO239 is and what it is used for. Then there are those that
sell new hams broken or marginal radios and that despoils them on the hobby.
There are tons of pitfalls to getting new hams into the hobby. The problem
is not licensing, it is helping the peer get going so they can have fun.
Whether it be CW, SSB, Contesting, Satellite work, building antennas or kits
or just helping choose equipment and antennas and helping with that first
QSO, those are the things we need to be doing. I have no proof of this, but,
if a new ham does not get on HF quickly after getting licensed he or she
will not be long for the hobby.
Getting them invested in more than listening to a squelch tail is what needs
to be done.

I praise Elecraft in their business model. First and foremost, they do not
produce crap radios. They are clean. They can be used in tough conditions.
For the most part with reasonable care and feeding, they are bombproof.
Plus, they have a price point for almost every entry into the HF spectrum of
the hobby. Their KX2 is a marvel for mountain top operating or the traveling
ham that wants a park-bench QSO in his down time. It is a quality radio
under the 1k$ mark. Next is their KX3. It has a way better RX, extra bands
and more power and sells well equipped for under 2K$. Then enter the K3S,
now discontinued. It was the gold standard of all contest radios well
equipped for Under 4k$. Now they have the K4 iterations which I believe will
set a new standard for further manufacture of ham radios. In wondering if
Eric and Wayne were gamers, they made a radio that can be upgraded by
plugging in new cards which is congruent with upgrading a computer game
machine. Because their focus has been quality before beauty, seemingly, they
produce an excellent radio, which is durable and does not have the LS
branding of chrome and fancy knobs to detract from lack of performance found
in other brands. Any of their radios can be used to contest and they are not
painful to use. Every time I have called Elecraft, I get someone who answers
my questions. Honest, to the point answers and service beyond what any other
manufacturer has today. I am not forwarded to the call center where it is
like working DX with QRM and QSB trying to understand the person on the
other end. Yes, I own some junk radios, 991A, 450D, 746, Xeigu, and not one
of those radios compares to a KX2 in functionality of RX. If you can't hear
them you can't work them. My current radio for the past 5 years is the K3S
with a second RX. I have worked thousands of QSOs on that radio. Nothing
keeps its trade in value like an Elecraft. If a new ham can afford an
Elecraft, you have not done him a disservice in recommending one to him. For
a new ham, buying an Elecraft and putting up a resonant antenna is almost a
guarantee for successful communication.

Yes, I drank the koolaid, and I continue to do so. It tastes great. I want
more. I guess that is why I ordered 2 K4s in group 1.

73,
Morgan NJ8M

BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on fire
with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts. LOL

On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 12:27 PM Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Sorry to not agree EricJ.
>
> I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
> modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs
> with hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.
>
> At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
> rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
> ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work
> in progress.
>
> 73, tom w7sua
>
> On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:
> > We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
> > "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
> > her."
> >
> > Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
> > talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in
> > specialized equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The
> > contact is set up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when
> > the link is ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young
> > people, then just shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
> >
> > Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified
> > as utilitarian communication because it's expensive and
> > inefficient. If the point is to contact your friends any time you
> > want to, they are already doing that with a half a dozen reliable
> > instant technologies all accessible from the same smartphone. I
> > don't get where ham radio comes in to solve a problem they have
> > already solved. Certainly not with a system that requires waiting 15
> > minutes for a satellite to get in position, and a Cupertino Robot to set

up the call.

> >
> > I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
> > changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects
> > of the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
> > itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
> > friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
> > to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
> > OM PSE QSL".
> >
> > I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
> > cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd
> > look up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip
> > on the air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and
> > chit chat for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the
> > rest of us never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell for

that.

> > But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
> > practical.
> >
> > The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
> > found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
> > the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
> > wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
> > make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
> > ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
> > retro turntables.
> >
> > Eric KE6US
> >
> > ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
> >
> >
> > On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> >> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
> >> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
> >> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
> >>
> >> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
> >> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
> >> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
> >> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
> >> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
> >> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
> >> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
> >>
> >> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
> >> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
> >> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
> >> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
> >> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
> >> repeater systems and HF).
> >>
> >> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
> >> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
> >> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
> >>
> >> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
> >> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
> >> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
> >> smartphone.
> >>
> >> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
> >> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
> >> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
> >> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
> >> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
> >> a conversation from a possible radio future.
> >>
> >> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
> >> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
> >> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
> >> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
> >> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
> >> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
> >>
> >> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
> >> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
> >> it happen ?
> >>
> >> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
> >>
> >> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
> >> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
> >> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
> >> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
> >> chronological divide
> >>
> >> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
> >> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
> >> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
> >> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
> >> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
> >> distance.
> >>
> >> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
> >> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
> >>
> >> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
> >> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
> >> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
> >> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
> >> stirred.
> >>
> >> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
> >>
> >> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
> >>
> >> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
> >>
> >> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
> >> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
> >>
> >> 73, Wayne N6KR
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]
>

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Buddy Brannan

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

I am, sadly, one of those dumber than a hammer types. Never learned to solder anything. Theory was not my strength, and if you sat me in front of an Extra test, chances are better than even that I’d fail it. I mean a lot better than even. Like…OK, I’d fail it for sure. But I passed the 20 wpm three times, twice with 100% perfect copy for all five minutes. This skill, while handy in a pinch, doesn’t confer much more than bragging rights, whereas actually being good at the technical side would actually be dead useful. As opposed to, well, making me dead by some crazy accident.

Still, and getting back to the age divide, I’d agree that if we’re focusing on the ability to talk to people anywhere in the world, we’re focusing on the wrong thing. Radio is magic? Yeah, closer, because it is, and I think we all of us who do this thing appreciate that. But I think the ARRL had the right idea when it started an initiative to court the so-called maker community, because there’s a lot of common ground there, harkening back to old traditions of home brewing (an aspect of the hobby on which I Feel I’ve sadly missed). Also, communication without infrastructure has a certain appeal, and I don’t think it gets enough press. Sure, we’ll use it if it’s there. But we don’t have to, and this is an aspect that definitely deserves more airplay than it gets. Add in competitive aspects to the no infrastructure. I think all of these things could appeal to younger people if presented right.

On the other hand, I was a 14-year-old ham in 1987, and I had exactly zero success in getting much of anyone interested in this greatest of all hobbies, so that could mean I don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.

Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Email: [hidden email]
Mobile: (814) 431-0962

> On Jan 3, 2021, at 10:21 AM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This is funny:
>
> " I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class hams
> licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers when it
> comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices or
> anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259."
>
> I'm one of those Hams that is dumber than a hammer. I got my Novice license
> in 1974 and finally got around to upgrading to Extra in the last 15 year.
> Actually since CW is my favorite mode of operation I was ambivalent about
> upgrading. Only till I realized Extras don't need to memorize that band
> edges did I upgrade.
>
> No, I don't waste time on games. I spent the last forty years building a
> career. I ran an R&D team for 5, was CTO of multiple companies, I do both
> electronic and software engineering, oh did I mention I have 14 patents? I
> can solder the smallest surface mount devices by hand. I just finished
> building an observatory in my back yard. I built a 1965 replica Cobra, a
> GIANT analog synth, and I restore vintage computers. (Real ones 8008/8080
> era...)
>
> No, please just send me the golden hammer, I admit, I'm the dumbest of all
> dummies and proud of it.
>
> 73
>
> len
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Morgan Bailey
> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2021 1:32 PM
> To: Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide
>
> Chronological divide, Heh. I am 67 years old, for 7 years I played WoW, for
> 6 years I played Everquest and for 5 years I have played Guild Wars 2. I
> enjoyed each of these games. I moved on to the more progressive game but
> still enjoy playing them from time to time. I only play GW2 at this time.
> Making the games set up and work with all peripherals is no harder than
> setting up FT8. Setting up RTTY with 2 or 3 decoders and getting everything
> to work...much harder. I am finding that many people in their 40s and 50s
> are getting into Amateur Radio. Some want the challenge of making stuff
> work, some want the antenna building experience, some want kit building but
> most seem to be from a subset of the population that are what one might call
> internet geeks. These guys do great in the transition to ham radio.
> Many gamers spend upwards to 2k$ on a video card only for their game box.
> So, $$$ is generally not a limiting option for this group. When they get
> hooked, they are hooked hard. In NCJ a few years ago, there was an article
> about contesting and video games. The parallels between the 2 of being "in
> the zone" were made. The same psychological high is involved but actually,
> it is more involved and dynamic than an online game.
>
> Pile ups, gotta love them, any mode you can get them, cw or ssb will provide
> that psychological high that melts the time away and keeps you on your toes.
> One can get so involved that you have to force yourself to take a deep
> breath and relax the shoulders and refocus on your posture so you can
> continue to run. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours later, you have to pee, get a drink,
> grab a snack and get at it again. It is addicting. I am glad that cw
> contests are not every weekend because my life would end. LOL. SERIOUS
> online gaming requires raiding to really advance in MMORPG games. Serious
> ranking for WRTC takes the same. It takes tech, engineering, $$$ and
> commitment to advance in the world of contesting. What reward? Well, if you
> like to compete then this is your mojo. If you like to collect wallpaper for
> working all places, counties, countries, etc it is there. If you want to be
> recognised in a magazine for contest performance that is here.
>
> In the ham radio world there are no cash prizes. Not so in the gaming world,
> there really are professional gamers. Heh for that matter, I used to farm
> gold in games and sell it for $$$. I did this while waiting to Raid.
> In games you have dps meters and one always tried to be on the top of the
> pile by being best in your class for whatever your function was. N1MM has a
> rate meter and mults window based on band population and feedback and
> spotting networks. How does one get these gamers to transition to Amateur
> Radio? Good question. When I state that my hobby is Ham Radio, I get, "I did
> not think people did that now. Or Really, what is that? Why would you do
> that?" the conclusion that I get from these comments is: there is not enough
> exposure of the population to Amateur Radio. Plain and simple people just
> don't hear about it or see it in action. There are no public special events.
> There are not enough elmers to encourage people. There are no longer any
> towers being put up because of HOA and zoning ordinance rules.
> Towers used to be focal points for people to talk about. Why does he have a
> tower? Once that question was asked then a tour of the shack generally was
> involved and maybe 1 in 10 or 20 became interested to progress into the
> hobby. Rarely do you see a tower any more. Less exposure, less questions,
> about the hobby. People in general are curious.
>
> If we want Amateur Radio to survive, we as a whole have to whet that
> curiosity. We have to be Elmers. We have to welcome people and encourage
> them to get involved. We have to be honest about the realistic expectations
> of the hobby both in what it can and can not do, what is going to be the
> realistic cost to get going from marginal rig/station to contest capable
> station. The greatest disservice that is currently being done is licensing.
> I traveled for 23 years up and down the east coast. I have attended many
> radio club meetings and the focus has been licensing, getting more hams.
> Sadly, that is not the answer. Many of those that got the license never
> operated. Then there are the shack-on-the-crack 2 meter hams that just get
> on repeaters and yack all day long. The same 3 or 4 guys on the repeater day
> in and day out talking about the same thing. Heck if I were a new ham, I
> would give it up in short order and try to sell my baufong asap. The problem
> is even though we get people licensed there is little or No followup with
> helping them get on the air. When I got my license over 50 years ago, I
> studied the Ameco Radio theory course. I bought the ARRL handbook. That was
> my bible, my religion when I was 12 years old and living on the farm. Today
> you buy a license manual. It has all the questions and answers. Marking out
> all the wrong answers so that only the question and right answer appears and
> after reading just the question and the answer through 6 times and never
> reading anything else, there is a good chance that a person will pass the
> exam and never know a damned thing about radio but they will be an Extra.
> Whoopie. I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class
> hams licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers
> when it comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices
> or anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259. Much less do they
> know what an SO239 is and what it is used for. Then there are those that
> sell new hams broken or marginal radios and that despoils them on the hobby.
> There are tons of pitfalls to getting new hams into the hobby. The problem
> is not licensing, it is helping the peer get going so they can have fun.
> Whether it be CW, SSB, Contesting, Satellite work, building antennas or kits
> or just helping choose equipment and antennas and helping with that first
> QSO, those are the things we need to be doing. I have no proof of this, but,
> if a new ham does not get on HF quickly after getting licensed he or she
> will not be long for the hobby.
> Getting them invested in more than listening to a squelch tail is what needs
> to be done.
>
> I praise Elecraft in their business model. First and foremost, they do not
> produce crap radios. They are clean. They can be used in tough conditions.
> For the most part with reasonable care and feeding, they are bombproof.
> Plus, they have a price point for almost every entry into the HF spectrum of
> the hobby. Their KX2 is a marvel for mountain top operating or the traveling
> ham that wants a park-bench QSO in his down time. It is a quality radio
> under the 1k$ mark. Next is their KX3. It has a way better RX, extra bands
> and more power and sells well equipped for under 2K$. Then enter the K3S,
> now discontinued. It was the gold standard of all contest radios well
> equipped for Under 4k$. Now they have the K4 iterations which I believe will
> set a new standard for further manufacture of ham radios. In wondering if
> Eric and Wayne were gamers, they made a radio that can be upgraded by
> plugging in new cards which is congruent with upgrading a computer game
> machine. Because their focus has been quality before beauty, seemingly, they
> produce an excellent radio, which is durable and does not have the LS
> branding of chrome and fancy knobs to detract from lack of performance found
> in other brands. Any of their radios can be used to contest and they are not
> painful to use. Every time I have called Elecraft, I get someone who answers
> my questions. Honest, to the point answers and service beyond what any other
> manufacturer has today. I am not forwarded to the call center where it is
> like working DX with QRM and QSB trying to understand the person on the
> other end. Yes, I own some junk radios, 991A, 450D, 746, Xeigu, and not one
> of those radios compares to a KX2 in functionality of RX. If you can't hear
> them you can't work them. My current radio for the past 5 years is the K3S
> with a second RX. I have worked thousands of QSOs on that radio. Nothing
> keeps its trade in value like an Elecraft. If a new ham can afford an
> Elecraft, you have not done him a disservice in recommending one to him. For
> a new ham, buying an Elecraft and putting up a resonant antenna is almost a
> guarantee for successful communication.
>
> Yes, I drank the koolaid, and I continue to do so. It tastes great. I want
> more. I guess that is why I ordered 2 K4s in group 1.
>
> 73,
> Morgan NJ8M
>
>
> BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
> Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on fire
> with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts. LOL
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 12:27 PM Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Sorry to not agree EricJ.
>>
>> I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
>> modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs
>> with hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.
>>
>> At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
>> rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
>> ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work
>> in progress.
>>
>> 73, tom w7sua
>>
>> On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:
>>> We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
>>> "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
>>> her."
>>>
>>> Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
>>> talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in
>>> specialized equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The
>>> contact is set up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when
>>> the link is ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young
>>> people, then just shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
>>>
>>> Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified
>>> as utilitarian communication because it's expensive and
>>> inefficient. If the point is to contact your friends any time you
>>> want to, they are already doing that with a half a dozen reliable
>>> instant technologies all accessible from the same smartphone. I
>>> don't get where ham radio comes in to solve a problem they have
>>> already solved. Certainly not with a system that requires waiting 15
>>> minutes for a satellite to get in position, and a Cupertino Robot to set
> up the call.
>>>
>>> I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
>>> changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects
>>> of the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
>>> itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
>>> friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
>>> to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
>>> OM PSE QSL".
>>>
>>> I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
>>> cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd
>>> look up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip
>>> on the air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and
>>> chit chat for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the
>>> rest of us never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell for
> that.
>>> But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
>>> practical.
>>>
>>> The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
>>> found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
>>> the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
>>> wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
>>> make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
>>> ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
>>> retro turntables.
>>>
>>> Eric KE6US
>>>
>>> ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>>> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
>>>> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
>>>> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
>>>>
>>>> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
>>>> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
>>>> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
>>>> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
>>>> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
>>>> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
>>>> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
>>>>
>>>> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
>>>> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
>>>> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
>>>> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
>>>> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
>>>> repeater systems and HF).
>>>>
>>>> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
>>>> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
>>>> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
>>>>
>>>> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
>>>> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
>>>> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
>>>> smartphone.
>>>>
>>>> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
>>>> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
>>>> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
>>>> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
>>>> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
>>>> a conversation from a possible radio future.
>>>>
>>>> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
>>>> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
>>>> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
>>>> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
>>>> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
>>>> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
>>>>
>>>> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
>>>> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
>>>> it happen ?
>>>>
>>>> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
>>>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
>>>> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
>>>> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
>>>> chronological divide
>>>>
>>>> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
>>>> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
>>>> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
>>>> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
>>>> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
>>>> distance.
>>>>
>>>> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
>>>> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
>>>>
>>>> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
>>>> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
>>>> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
>>>> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
>>>> stirred.
>>>>
>>>> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
>>>>
>>>> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
>>>>
>>>> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
>>>>
>>>> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
>>>> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Wayne N6KR
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
>> [hidden email]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
> delivered to [hidden email]
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Dave Sublette-2

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

Well I have been an extra class since 1963. I too, have patents and am a
retired EE design engineer. I run three Elecraft rigs and two computers.
But I admit that I feel dumber than a hammer when looking at all the
software options and menu items. I haven't even considered a Flex because
of my limited computer skills.

Btw, at age 79, I can still build with SMDs. It's a matter of being
blessed with good enough eyesight and steady hands.

I got over looking down on others without my level of expertise when I
realized there were just as many who have skills I don't have.

If amateur radio is to survive, we need to be teammates, not adversaries.

End of soapbox session.

73,

Dave, K4TO

On Sun, Jan 3, 2021, 11:01 AM Buddy Brannan <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I am, sadly, one of those dumber than a hammer types. Never learned to
> solder anything. Theory was not my strength, and if you sat me in front of
> an Extra test, chances are better than even that I’d fail it. I mean a lot
> better than even. Like…OK, I’d fail it for sure. But I passed the 20 wpm
> three times, twice with 100% perfect copy for all five minutes. This skill,
> while handy in a pinch, doesn’t confer much more than bragging rights,
> whereas actually being good at the technical side would actually be dead
> useful. As opposed to, well, making me dead by some crazy accident.
>
> Still, and getting back to the age divide, I’d agree that if we’re
> focusing on the ability to talk to people anywhere in the world, we’re
> focusing on the wrong thing. Radio is magic? Yeah, closer, because it is,
> and I think we all of us who do this thing appreciate that. But I think the
> ARRL had the right idea when it started an initiative to court the
> so-called maker community, because there’s a lot of common ground there,
> harkening back to old traditions of home brewing (an aspect of the hobby on
> which I Feel I’ve sadly missed). Also, communication without infrastructure
> has a certain appeal, and I don’t think it gets enough press. Sure, we’ll
> use it if it’s there. But we don’t have to, and this is an aspect that
> definitely deserves more airplay than it gets. Add in competitive aspects
> to the no infrastructure. I think all of these things could appeal to
> younger people if presented right.
>
> On the other hand, I was a 14-year-old ham in 1987, and I had exactly zero
> success in getting much of anyone interested in this greatest of all
> hobbies, so that could mean I don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
>
>
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Email: [hidden email]
> Mobile: (814) 431-0962
>
>
>
> > On Jan 3, 2021, at 10:21 AM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > This is funny:
> >
> > " I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class hams
> > licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers when
> it
> > comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices or
> > anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259."
> >
> > I'm one of those Hams that is dumber than a hammer. I got my Novice
> license
> > in 1974 and finally got around to upgrading to Extra in the last 15 year.
> > Actually since CW is my favorite mode of operation I was ambivalent about
> > upgrading. Only till I realized Extras don't need to memorize that band
> > edges did I upgrade.
> >
> > No, I don't waste time on games. I spent the last forty years building a
> > career. I ran an R&D team for 5, was CTO of multiple companies, I do
> both
> > electronic and software engineering, oh did I mention I have 14
> patents? I
> > can solder the smallest surface mount devices by hand. I just finished
> > building an observatory in my back yard. I built a 1965 replica Cobra, a
> > GIANT analog synth, and I restore vintage computers. (Real ones
> 8008/8080
> > era...)
> >
> > No, please just send me the golden hammer, I admit, I'm the dumbest of
> all
> > dummies and proud of it.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > len
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Morgan Bailey
> > Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2021 1:32 PM
> > To: Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide
> >
> > Chronological divide, Heh. I am 67 years old, for 7 years I played WoW,
> for
> > 6 years I played Everquest and for 5 years I have played Guild Wars 2. I
> > enjoyed each of these games. I moved on to the more progressive game but
> > still enjoy playing them from time to time. I only play GW2 at this time.
> > Making the games set up and work with all peripherals is no harder than
> > setting up FT8. Setting up RTTY with 2 or 3 decoders and getting
> everything
> > to work...much harder. I am finding that many people in their 40s and 50s
> > are getting into Amateur Radio. Some want the challenge of making stuff
> > work, some want the antenna building experience, some want kit building
> but
> > most seem to be from a subset of the population that are what one might
> call
> > internet geeks. These guys do great in the transition to ham radio.
> > Many gamers spend upwards to 2k$ on a video card only for their game box.
> > So, $$$ is generally not a limiting option for this group. When they get
> > hooked, they are hooked hard. In NCJ a few years ago, there was an
> article
> > about contesting and video games. The parallels between the 2 of being
> "in
> > the zone" were made. The same psychological high is involved but
> actually,
> > it is more involved and dynamic than an online game.
> >
> > Pile ups, gotta love them, any mode you can get them, cw or ssb will
> provide
> > that psychological high that melts the time away and keeps you on your
> toes.
> > One can get so involved that you have to force yourself to take a deep
> > breath and relax the shoulders and refocus on your posture so you can
> > continue to run. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours later, you have to pee, get a
> drink,
> > grab a snack and get at it again. It is addicting. I am glad that cw
> > contests are not every weekend because my life would end. LOL. SERIOUS
> > online gaming requires raiding to really advance in MMORPG games. Serious
> > ranking for WRTC takes the same. It takes tech, engineering, $$$ and
> > commitment to advance in the world of contesting. What reward? Well, if
> you
> > like to compete then this is your mojo. If you like to collect wallpaper
> for
> > working all places, counties, countries, etc it is there. If you want to
> be
> > recognised in a magazine for contest performance that is here.
> >
> > In the ham radio world there are no cash prizes. Not so in the gaming
> world,
> > there really are professional gamers. Heh for that matter, I used to farm
> > gold in games and sell it for $$$. I did this while waiting to Raid.
> > In games you have dps meters and one always tried to be on the top of the
> > pile by being best in your class for whatever your function was. N1MM
> has a
> > rate meter and mults window based on band population and feedback and
> > spotting networks. How does one get these gamers to transition to Amateur
> > Radio? Good question. When I state that my hobby is Ham Radio, I get, "I
> did
> > not think people did that now. Or Really, what is that? Why would you do
> > that?" the conclusion that I get from these comments is: there is not
> enough
> > exposure of the population to Amateur Radio. Plain and simple people just
> > don't hear about it or see it in action. There are no public special
> events.
> > There are not enough elmers to encourage people. There are no longer any
> > towers being put up because of HOA and zoning ordinance rules.
> > Towers used to be focal points for people to talk about. Why does he
> have a
> > tower? Once that question was asked then a tour of the shack generally
> was
> > involved and maybe 1 in 10 or 20 became interested to progress into the
> > hobby. Rarely do you see a tower any more. Less exposure, less questions,
> > about the hobby. People in general are curious.
> >
> > If we want Amateur Radio to survive, we as a whole have to whet that
> > curiosity. We have to be Elmers. We have to welcome people and encourage
> > them to get involved. We have to be honest about the realistic
> expectations
> > of the hobby both in what it can and can not do, what is going to be the
> > realistic cost to get going from marginal rig/station to contest capable
> > station. The greatest disservice that is currently being done is
> licensing.
> > I traveled for 23 years up and down the east coast. I have attended many
> > radio club meetings and the focus has been licensing, getting more hams.
> > Sadly, that is not the answer. Many of those that got the license never
> > operated. Then there are the shack-on-the-crack 2 meter hams that just
> get
> > on repeaters and yack all day long. The same 3 or 4 guys on the repeater
> day
> > in and day out talking about the same thing. Heck if I were a new ham, I
> > would give it up in short order and try to sell my baufong asap. The
> problem
> > is even though we get people licensed there is little or No followup with
> > helping them get on the air. When I got my license over 50 years ago, I
> > studied the Ameco Radio theory course. I bought the ARRL handbook. That
> was
> > my bible, my religion when I was 12 years old and living on the farm.
> Today
> > you buy a license manual. It has all the questions and answers. Marking
> out
> > all the wrong answers so that only the question and right answer appears
> and
> > after reading just the question and the answer through 6 times and never
> > reading anything else, there is a good chance that a person will pass the
> > exam and never know a damned thing about radio but they will be an Extra.
> > Whoopie. I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra
> class
> > hams licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers
> > when it comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe
> practices
> > or anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259. Much less do
> they
> > know what an SO239 is and what it is used for. Then there are those that
> > sell new hams broken or marginal radios and that despoils them on the
> hobby.
> > There are tons of pitfalls to getting new hams into the hobby. The
> problem
> > is not licensing, it is helping the peer get going so they can have fun.
> > Whether it be CW, SSB, Contesting, Satellite work, building antennas or
> kits
> > or just helping choose equipment and antennas and helping with that first
> > QSO, those are the things we need to be doing. I have no proof of this,
> but,
> > if a new ham does not get on HF quickly after getting licensed he or she
> > will not be long for the hobby.
> > Getting them invested in more than listening to a squelch tail is what
> needs
> > to be done.
> >
> > I praise Elecraft in their business model. First and foremost, they do
> not
> > produce crap radios. They are clean. They can be used in tough
> conditions.
> > For the most part with reasonable care and feeding, they are bombproof.
> > Plus, they have a price point for almost every entry into the HF
> spectrum of
> > the hobby. Their KX2 is a marvel for mountain top operating or the
> traveling
> > ham that wants a park-bench QSO in his down time. It is a quality radio
> > under the 1k$ mark. Next is their KX3. It has a way better RX, extra
> bands
> > and more power and sells well equipped for under 2K$. Then enter the K3S,
> > now discontinued. It was the gold standard of all contest radios well
> > equipped for Under 4k$. Now they have the K4 iterations which I believe
> will
> > set a new standard for further manufacture of ham radios. In wondering if
> > Eric and Wayne were gamers, they made a radio that can be upgraded by
> > plugging in new cards which is congruent with upgrading a computer game
> > machine. Because their focus has been quality before beauty, seemingly,
> they
> > produce an excellent radio, which is durable and does not have the LS
> > branding of chrome and fancy knobs to detract from lack of performance
> found
> > in other brands. Any of their radios can be used to contest and they are
> not
> > painful to use. Every time I have called Elecraft, I get someone who
> answers
> > my questions. Honest, to the point answers and service beyond what any
> other
> > manufacturer has today. I am not forwarded to the call center where it is
> > like working DX with QRM and QSB trying to understand the person on the
> > other end. Yes, I own some junk radios, 991A, 450D, 746, Xeigu, and not
> one
> > of those radios compares to a KX2 in functionality of RX. If you can't
> hear
> > them you can't work them. My current radio for the past 5 years is the
> K3S
> > with a second RX. I have worked thousands of QSOs on that radio. Nothing
> > keeps its trade in value like an Elecraft. If a new ham can afford an
> > Elecraft, you have not done him a disservice in recommending one to him.
> For
> > a new ham, buying an Elecraft and putting up a resonant antenna is
> almost a
> > guarantee for successful communication.
> >
> > Yes, I drank the koolaid, and I continue to do so. It tastes great. I
> want
> > more. I guess that is why I ordered 2 K4s in group 1.
> >
> > 73,
> > Morgan NJ8M
> >
> >
> > BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
> > Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on
> fire
> > with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts.
> LOL
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 12:27 PM Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >> Sorry to not agree EricJ.
> >>
> >> I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
> >> modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs
> >> with hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.
> >>
> >> At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
> >> rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
> >> ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work
> >> in progress.
> >>
> >> 73, tom w7sua
> >>
> >> On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:
> >>> We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
> >>> "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
> >>> her."
> >>>
> >>> Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
> >>> talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in
> >>> specialized equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The
> >>> contact is set up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when
> >>> the link is ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young
> >>> people, then just shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
> >>>
> >>> Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified
> >>> as utilitarian communication because it's expensive and
> >>> inefficient. If the point is to contact your friends any time you
> >>> want to, they are already doing that with a half a dozen reliable
> >>> instant technologies all accessible from the same smartphone. I
> >>> don't get where ham radio comes in to solve a problem they have
> >>> already solved. Certainly not with a system that requires waiting 15
> >>> minutes for a satellite to get in position, and a Cupertino Robot to
> set
> > up the call.
> >>>
> >>> I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
> >>> changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects
> >>> of the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
> >>> itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
> >>> friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
> >>> to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
> >>> OM PSE QSL".
> >>>
> >>> I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
> >>> cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd
> >>> look up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip
> >>> on the air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and
> >>> chit chat for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the
> >>> rest of us never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell for
> > that.
> >>> But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
> >>> practical.
> >>>
> >>> The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
> >>> found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
> >>> the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
> >>> wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
> >>> make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
> >>> ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
> >>> retro turntables.
> >>>
> >>> Eric KE6US
> >>>
> >>> ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> >>>> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
> >>>> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
> >>>> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
> >>>>
> >>>> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
> >>>> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
> >>>> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
> >>>> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
> >>>> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
> >>>> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
> >>>> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
> >>>>
> >>>> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
> >>>> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
> >>>> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
> >>>> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
> >>>> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
> >>>> repeater systems and HF).
> >>>>
> >>>> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
> >>>> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
> >>>> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
> >>>>
> >>>> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
> >>>> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
> >>>> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
> >>>> smartphone.
> >>>>
> >>>> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
> >>>> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
> >>>> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
> >>>> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
> >>>> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
> >>>> a conversation from a possible radio future.
> >>>>
> >>>> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
> >>>> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
> >>>> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
> >>>> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
> >>>> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
> >>>> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
> >>>>
> >>>> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
> >>>> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
> >>>> it happen ?
> >>>>
> >>>> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
> >>>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
> >>>> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
> >>>> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
> >>>> chronological divide
> >>>>
> >>>> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
> >>>> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
> >>>> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
> >>>> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
> >>>> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
> >>>> distance.
> >>>>
> >>>> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
> >>>> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
> >>>>
> >>>> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
> >>>> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
> >>>> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
> >>>> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
> >>>> stirred.
> >>>>
> >>>> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
> >>>>
> >>>> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
> >>>>
> >>>> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
> >>>>
> >>>> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
> >>>> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
> >>>>
> >>>> 73, Wayne N6KR
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> >> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> >> [hidden email]
> >>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message
> > delivered to [hidden email]
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

NJ8M

Re: Reaching across the chronological divide

Tom,
What a great history you have. I envy your photos on your QRZ page. My
folks did not have cash for casual pictures. I do not have a pix of my
BC348, ARC 5 or BC454 radios or the power supplies that I built to run
them.Back then power supplies were basically finding an old boob tube and
tearing it apart for transformer, rectifier tube, drilling out the
riveted octal sockets and cleaning up the terminal strips. A combine
knocked over a road sign and with some convincing from a hammer and angle
iron vice with C clamps became the chassis for a few things. It takes quite
a bit of wire cup brushing to get the red off the chassis. LOL. Later I
got an Ameco transmitter, very similar to your transmitter in the pix. It
was fun. I got my first pink slip running an EICO 720. I was CW on 40 and
599+ on 20 into the FCC monitoring station. I was 14 then. Everything at
that time was a twin lead fed dipole with an L network made from surplus
tuning units from old military equipment. I used a light bulb to tune the
radio and the hum of the transformer and the brightness of the bulb and I
was good to go. I remember working Malta on 15 meters during the winter. He
was on AM and I was running CW to him. I was 13 then. Unfortunately, I do
not have that QSL card. But I still have my first QSL card from WN9CNF. He
used a magic marker on an index card and sent it to me. I worked tossing
hay for cash and bought what stamps I could afford to send cards back.
Today I love LOTW.

I have never had a big DX station and never will. I am content to be a
little pistol with a 38 foot tower and 2 elements on 20-10. A vertical for
40 and inverted L on 80 then end loaded with a 174 microhenry coil for a
shortened 160 inverted L. All of this on a city lot with houses nearby. I
love my Elecraft radios and Amp. I am looking forward to learning SO2R
skills. Hopefully it will chase away alzheimers. Additionally, I am
thinking about buying a welder to learn TIG welding. I just can't decide if
i want to do aluminum or just everything else. AC or DC is the decision
factor. But again, I ramble. BTW, I have done anesthesia for many
electrophysiology labs for atrial ablation. I am now retired and your story
brings back many many memories, again dangerous visions of the past.

Keep well and strong,

73,
Morgan NJ8M

BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on
fire with a bread board tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000
watts. LOL

On Sun, Jan 3, 2021 at 12:25 PM Dave Sublette <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Well I have been an extra class since 1963. I too, have patents and am a
> retired EE design engineer. I run three Elecraft rigs and two computers.
> But I admit that I feel dumber than a hammer when looking at all the
> software options and menu items. I haven't even considered a Flex because
> of my limited computer skills.
>
> Btw, at age 79, I can still build with SMDs. It's a matter of being
> blessed with good enough eyesight and steady hands.
>
> I got over looking down on others without my level of expertise when I
> realized there were just as many who have skills I don't have.
>
> If amateur radio is to survive, we need to be teammates, not adversaries.
>
> End of soapbox session.
>
> 73,
>
> Dave, K4TO
>
> On Sun, Jan 3, 2021, 11:01 AM Buddy Brannan <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > I am, sadly, one of those dumber than a hammer types. Never learned to
> > solder anything. Theory was not my strength, and if you sat me in front
> of
> > an Extra test, chances are better than even that I’d fail it. I mean a
> lot
> > better than even. Like…OK, I’d fail it for sure. But I passed the 20 wpm
> > three times, twice with 100% perfect copy for all five minutes. This
> skill,
> > while handy in a pinch, doesn’t confer much more than bragging rights,
> > whereas actually being good at the technical side would actually be dead
> > useful. As opposed to, well, making me dead by some crazy accident.
> >
> > Still, and getting back to the age divide, I’d agree that if we’re
> > focusing on the ability to talk to people anywhere in the world, we’re
> > focusing on the wrong thing. Radio is magic? Yeah, closer, because it is,
> > and I think we all of us who do this thing appreciate that. But I think
> the
> > ARRL had the right idea when it started an initiative to court the
> > so-called maker community, because there’s a lot of common ground there,
> > harkening back to old traditions of home brewing (an aspect of the hobby
> on
> > which I Feel I’ve sadly missed). Also, communication without
> infrastructure
> > has a certain appeal, and I don’t think it gets enough press. Sure, we’ll
> > use it if it’s there. But we don’t have to, and this is an aspect that
> > definitely deserves more airplay than it gets. Add in competitive aspects
> > to the no infrastructure. I think all of these things could appeal to
> > younger people if presented right.
> >
> > On the other hand, I was a 14-year-old ham in 1987, and I had exactly
> zero
> > success in getting much of anyone interested in this greatest of all
> > hobbies, so that could mean I don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.
> >
> >
> > Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> > Email: [hidden email]
> > Mobile: (814) 431-0962
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Jan 3, 2021, at 10:21 AM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > >
> > > This is funny:
> > >
> > > " I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra class
> hams
> > > licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of hammers
> when
> > it
> > > comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe practices or
> > > anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259."
> > >
> > > I'm one of those Hams that is dumber than a hammer. I got my Novice
> > license
> > > in 1974 and finally got around to upgrading to Extra in the last 15
> year.
> > > Actually since CW is my favorite mode of operation I was ambivalent
> about
> > > upgrading. Only till I realized Extras don't need to memorize that
> band
> > > edges did I upgrade.
> > >
> > > No, I don't waste time on games. I spent the last forty years
> building a
> > > career. I ran an R&D team for 5, was CTO of multiple companies, I do
> > both
> > > electronic and software engineering, oh did I mention I have 14
> > patents? I
> > > can solder the smallest surface mount devices by hand. I just finished
> > > building an observatory in my back yard. I built a 1965 replica
> Cobra, a
> > > GIANT analog synth, and I restore vintage computers. (Real ones
> > 8008/8080
> > > era...)
> > >
> > > No, please just send me the golden hammer, I admit, I'm the dumbest of
> > all
> > > dummies and proud of it.
> > >
> > > 73
> > >
> > > len
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [hidden email]
> > > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Morgan Bailey
> > > Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2021 1:32 PM
> > > To: Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
> > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide
> > >
> > > Chronological divide, Heh. I am 67 years old, for 7 years I played WoW,
> > for
> > > 6 years I played Everquest and for 5 years I have played Guild Wars 2.
> I
> > > enjoyed each of these games. I moved on to the more progressive game
> but
> > > still enjoy playing them from time to time. I only play GW2 at this
> time.
> > > Making the games set up and work with all peripherals is no harder than
> > > setting up FT8. Setting up RTTY with 2 or 3 decoders and getting
> > everything
> > > to work...much harder. I am finding that many people in their 40s and
> 50s
> > > are getting into Amateur Radio. Some want the challenge of making stuff
> > > work, some want the antenna building experience, some want kit building
> > but
> > > most seem to be from a subset of the population that are what one might
> > call
> > > internet geeks. These guys do great in the transition to ham radio.
> > > Many gamers spend upwards to 2k$ on a video card only for their game
> box.
> > > So, $$$ is generally not a limiting option for this group. When they
> get
> > > hooked, they are hooked hard. In NCJ a few years ago, there was an
> > article
> > > about contesting and video games. The parallels between the 2 of being
> > "in
> > > the zone" were made. The same psychological high is involved but
> > actually,
> > > it is more involved and dynamic than an online game.
> > >
> > > Pile ups, gotta love them, any mode you can get them, cw or ssb will
> > provide
> > > that psychological high that melts the time away and keeps you on your
> > toes.
> > > One can get so involved that you have to force yourself to take a deep
> > > breath and relax the shoulders and refocus on your posture so you can
> > > continue to run. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hours later, you have to pee, get a
> > drink,
> > > grab a snack and get at it again. It is addicting. I am glad that cw
> > > contests are not every weekend because my life would end. LOL. SERIOUS
> > > online gaming requires raiding to really advance in MMORPG games.
> Serious
> > > ranking for WRTC takes the same. It takes tech, engineering, $$$ and
> > > commitment to advance in the world of contesting. What reward? Well, if
> > you
> > > like to compete then this is your mojo. If you like to collect
> wallpaper
> > for
> > > working all places, counties, countries, etc it is there. If you want
> to
> > be
> > > recognised in a magazine for contest performance that is here.
> > >
> > > In the ham radio world there are no cash prizes. Not so in the gaming
> > world,
> > > there really are professional gamers. Heh for that matter, I used to
> farm
> > > gold in games and sell it for $$$. I did this while waiting to Raid.
> > > In games you have dps meters and one always tried to be on the top of
> the
> > > pile by being best in your class for whatever your function was. N1MM
> > has a
> > > rate meter and mults window based on band population and feedback and
> > > spotting networks. How does one get these gamers to transition to
> Amateur
> > > Radio? Good question. When I state that my hobby is Ham Radio, I get,
> "I
> > did
> > > not think people did that now. Or Really, what is that? Why would you
> do
> > > that?" the conclusion that I get from these comments is: there is not
> > enough
> > > exposure of the population to Amateur Radio. Plain and simple people
> just
> > > don't hear about it or see it in action. There are no public special
> > events.
> > > There are not enough elmers to encourage people. There are no longer
> any
> > > towers being put up because of HOA and zoning ordinance rules.
> > > Towers used to be focal points for people to talk about. Why does he
> > have a
> > > tower? Once that question was asked then a tour of the shack generally
> > was
> > > involved and maybe 1 in 10 or 20 became interested to progress into the
> > > hobby. Rarely do you see a tower any more. Less exposure, less
> questions,
> > > about the hobby. People in general are curious.
> > >
> > > If we want Amateur Radio to survive, we as a whole have to whet that
> > > curiosity. We have to be Elmers. We have to welcome people and
> encourage
> > > them to get involved. We have to be honest about the realistic
> > expectations
> > > of the hobby both in what it can and can not do, what is going to be
> the
> > > realistic cost to get going from marginal rig/station to contest
> capable
> > > station. The greatest disservice that is currently being done is
> > licensing.
> > > I traveled for 23 years up and down the east coast. I have attended
> many
> > > radio club meetings and the focus has been licensing, getting more
> hams.
> > > Sadly, that is not the answer. Many of those that got the license never
> > > operated. Then there are the shack-on-the-crack 2 meter hams that just
> > get
> > > on repeaters and yack all day long. The same 3 or 4 guys on the
> repeater
> > day
> > > in and day out talking about the same thing. Heck if I were a new ham,
> I
> > > would give it up in short order and try to sell my baufong asap. The
> > problem
> > > is even though we get people licensed there is little or No followup
> with
> > > helping them get on the air. When I got my license over 50 years ago, I
> > > studied the Ameco Radio theory course. I bought the ARRL handbook. That
> > was
> > > my bible, my religion when I was 12 years old and living on the farm.
> > Today
> > > you buy a license manual. It has all the questions and answers. Marking
> > out
> > > all the wrong answers so that only the question and right answer
> appears
> > and
> > > after reading just the question and the answer through 6 times and
> never
> > > reading anything else, there is a good chance that a person will pass
> the
> > > exam and never know a damned thing about radio but they will be an
> Extra.
> > > Whoopie. I expect a fire war when I say this and that is, most extra
> > class
> > > hams licensed with in the last 15 years are dumber than a bag of
> hammers
> > > when it comes to radio theory, operation, station building, safe
> > practices
> > > or anything as simple as soldering or crimping on a PL259. Much less do
> > they
> > > know what an SO239 is and what it is used for. Then there are those
> that
> > > sell new hams broken or marginal radios and that despoils them on the
> > hobby.
> > > There are tons of pitfalls to getting new hams into the hobby. The
> > problem
> > > is not licensing, it is helping the peer get going so they can have
> fun.
> > > Whether it be CW, SSB, Contesting, Satellite work, building antennas or
> > kits
> > > or just helping choose equipment and antennas and helping with that
> first
> > > QSO, those are the things we need to be doing. I have no proof of this,
> > but,
> > > if a new ham does not get on HF quickly after getting licensed he or
> she
> > > will not be long for the hobby.
> > > Getting them invested in more than listening to a squelch tail is what
> > needs
> > > to be done.
> > >
> > > I praise Elecraft in their business model. First and foremost, they do
> > not
> > > produce crap radios. They are clean. They can be used in tough
> > conditions.
> > > For the most part with reasonable care and feeding, they are bombproof.
> > > Plus, they have a price point for almost every entry into the HF
> > spectrum of
> > > the hobby. Their KX2 is a marvel for mountain top operating or the
> > traveling
> > > ham that wants a park-bench QSO in his down time. It is a quality radio
> > > under the 1k$ mark. Next is their KX3. It has a way better RX, extra
> > bands
> > > and more power and sells well equipped for under 2K$. Then enter the
> K3S,
> > > now discontinued. It was the gold standard of all contest radios well
> > > equipped for Under 4k$. Now they have the K4 iterations which I believe
> > will
> > > set a new standard for further manufacture of ham radios. In wondering
> if
> > > Eric and Wayne were gamers, they made a radio that can be upgraded by
> > > plugging in new cards which is congruent with upgrading a computer game
> > > machine. Because their focus has been quality before beauty, seemingly,
> > they
> > > produce an excellent radio, which is durable and does not have the LS
> > > branding of chrome and fancy knobs to detract from lack of performance
> > found
> > > in other brands. Any of their radios can be used to contest and they
> are
> > not
> > > painful to use. Every time I have called Elecraft, I get someone who
> > answers
> > > my questions. Honest, to the point answers and service beyond what any
> > other
> > > manufacturer has today. I am not forwarded to the call center where it
> is
> > > like working DX with QRM and QSB trying to understand the person on the
> > > other end. Yes, I own some junk radios, 991A, 450D, 746, Xeigu, and not
> > one
> > > of those radios compares to a KX2 in functionality of RX. If you can't
> > hear
> > > them you can't work them. My current radio for the past 5 years is the
> > K3S
> > > with a second RX. I have worked thousands of QSOs on that radio.
> Nothing
> > > keeps its trade in value like an Elecraft. If a new ham can afford an
> > > Elecraft, you have not done him a disservice in recommending one to
> him.
> > For
> > > a new ham, buying an Elecraft and putting up a resonant antenna is
> > almost a
> > > guarantee for successful communication.
> > >
> > > Yes, I drank the koolaid, and I continue to do so. It tastes great. I
> > want
> > > more. I guess that is why I ordered 2 K4s in group 1.
> > >
> > > 73,
> > > Morgan NJ8M
> > >
> > >
> > > BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE
> > > Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on
> > fire
> > > with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts.
> > LOL
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sat, Jan 2, 2021 at 12:27 PM Tom Azlin W7SUA <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Sorry to not agree EricJ.
> > >>
> > >> I have made a lot of friends over multiple QSOs, in my case digital
> > >> modes. To me that is the magic that continues. Including long QSOs
> > >> with hams across the ponds. But then I got my Novice in 1972.
> > >>
> > >> At local neighborhood watch got asked if I could help if we in this
> > >> rural area lost land lines and cell phone service. So I explained how
> > >> ham radio can help. No kids there so getting them excited still work
> > >> in progress.
> > >>
> > >> 73, tom w7sua
> > >>
> > >> On 12/14/2019 7:46 PM, EricJ wrote:
> > >>> We're missing the point here somehow. Siri's answer should have been
> > >>> "The best way to contact Helen is to pick up your phone and call
> > >>> her."
> > >>>
> > >>> Anything else is pretty much a waste of time and resources just to
> > >>> talk to Helen. Seriously, there's a sizable investment in
> > >>> specialized equipment to make contact via AMSAT or whatever. The
> > >>> contact is set up for them. Then Jon and Helen wait to be told when
> > >>> the link is ready. If that's worth doing and will attract young
> > >>> people, then just shoot me. It sounds terminally boring.
> > >>>
> > >>> Making that investment in specialized equipment can't be justified
> > >>> as utilitarian communication because it's expensive and
> > >>> inefficient. If the point is to contact your friends any time you
> > >>> want to, they are already doing that with a half a dozen reliable
> > >>> instant technologies all accessible from the same smartphone. I
> > >>> don't get where ham radio comes in to solve a problem they have
> > >>> already solved. Certainly not with a system that requires waiting 15
> > >>> minutes for a satellite to get in position, and a Cupertino Robot to
> > set
> > > up the call.
> > >>>
> > >>> I don't have the answer to attracting young people to a rapidly
> > >>> changing hobby in an even more rapidly changing world. The aspects
> > >>> of the hobby that attracted many of us was the sheer magic of radio
> > >>> itself. We weren't attracted to it because it let us contact our
> > >>> friends. Even then we had the telephone for that. We were attracted
> > >>> to the magic. Nine times out of ten, the communication part was "599
> > >>> OM PSE QSL".
> > >>>
> > >>> I always heard how DX contacts would allow me to learn about other
> > >>> cultures. Actually, it did. After exchanging signal reports, I'd
> > >>> look up their city with an atlas or encyclopedia. But I learned zip
> > >>> on the air. A few California Kilowatts could hog a DX station, and
> > >>> chit chat for a few minutes, and did because they could. But the
> > >>> rest of us never got beyond the basic exchange and fought like hell
> for
> > > that.
> > >>> But it was magic so it didn't matter that it wasn't all that
> > >>> practical.
> > >>>
> > >>> The magic that attracted us is gone. Maybe there's new magic to be
> > >>> found, but it's different magic that most of us with 30-70 years in
> > >>> the hobby won't understand...and probably won't like. We are the
> > >>> wrong people to even be considering answers but anyone expecting to
> > >>> make a living from the hobby will have to find that new magic. It
> > >>> ain't instant communication and it ain't the ham radio equivalent of
> > >>> retro turntables.
> > >>>
> > >>> Eric KE6US
> > >>>
> > >>> ex-K1DCK, WA6YCF, WB2PVW
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> On 12/14/2019 5:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> > >>>> Question: Can amateur radio reach across the digital divide ? My
> > >>>> answer: It could Follow up Question: Do you think it will ? My
> > >>>> answer: No, not with current products and modes of use
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Why do I say this ? My 20 year old wants a turntable for Christmas.
> > >>>> Why on earth does he want one when he can download any song he
> > >>>> wants from his apple music account ? Answer: People of his
> > >>>> generation are moving beyond mere utility (listening to any song
> > >>>> anywhere anytime), they now want a musical experience, playing a
> > >>>> vinyl record - could be one of mine - with all the "atmosphere"
> > >>>> (hiss and scratches) to experience the music as it was "made".
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Could this experiential notion morph to a communications form?
> > >>>> Communications utility is being able to contact your friends at
> > >>>> anytime from anywhere, instantly, AKA the ubiquitous smartphone.
> > >>>> A communications experience could be one where the path / mode is
> > >>>> dynamic and not guaranteed to succeed (applies to VHF linked
> > >>>> repeater systems and HF).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So why won't this happen ? We (amateur radio hobbyists and
> > >>>> industry) don't follow the usage paradigms they are used to and
> > >>>> frankly expect, built around their smartphones.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The turn tables I'm looking at have RCA jacks to connect to an
> > >>>> amplifier but they also have Bluetooth to connect to your phone and
> > >>>> speakers, and of course "there's an App for that" on the
> > >>>> smartphone.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> People of this generation are not going to configure virtual COM
> > >>>> ports so their apps can access a radio. Neither will they work
> > >>>> through windows "wizard" configuration screens. Apple and the
> > >>>> other developers have made set up effortlessly work and offer
> > >>>> digital assistants to help you on your way. For example, below is
> > >>>> a conversation from a possible radio future.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Jon, Ham Radio Operator: "Hey Siri what repeaters are near me and
> > >>>> can I link to Helen in Scotland ?" Siri: " Yes Jon there are
> > >>>> several repeaters nearby but the best way to contact Helen is via
> > >>>> Amsat, one will be over horizon in 15 minutes, shall I let Helen
> > >>>> know you want to contact her ? conditions are favorable" Jon: " Yes
> > >>>> Siri, let her know, I'll get the antenna ready"
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Sounds like science fiction ?- no this is technically feasible
> > >>>> today - question is will some entity make the investments to make
> > >>>> it happen ?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Best Regards Andy K3CAQ
> > >>>>
> > >>>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
> > >>>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent:
> > >>>> Friday, December 13, 2019 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector
> > >>>> <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] Reaching across the
> > >>>> chronological divide
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in
> > >>>> 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the
> > >>>> promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL
> > >>>> cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of
> > >>>> Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a
> > >>>> distance.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily
> > >>>> basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the
> > >>>> decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic
> > >>>> codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient
> > >>>> house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be
> > >>>> stirred.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need
> > >>>> empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> 73, Wayne N6KR
> > >>
> > >> ______________________________________________________________
> > >> Elecraft mailing list
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> > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> > >>
> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this
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> > >>
> > > ______________________________________________________________
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