John R Retired
- Mar 13, 2022
- 43
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2022
- Messages
- 43
I remember way back before the internet or even home computers having a Ham Radio setup was really phenomenal. A Ham I knew just down the road had a 6 Meter transmitter in a large cabinet in his garage that almost looked like a small commercial radio station that he built from scratch and an impressive antenna array on a rather tall tower. Him and I used to go to other Hams homes and visit their setups. I was a Shortwave listener and an aspiring Ham operator but life led me down other paths away from that aspiration.
The most appealing aspect of Ham Radio then, was that you could setup a ham shack and communicate with people around the world directly with equipment you either assembled, bought as a kit or bought already assembled and transmit up to 2000 Watts back then. Talking to someone on the other side of the world was really amazing, especially if you had the knowledge and skill to make your own transmitter, even using CW & Morse Code, because there was no other way you could have direct access to such distant cultures and people, other than by airline travel.
THAT is all gone now, as the Internet gives everyone access to anyone in the world with an internet connection, even live Video and including Smartphones. Also just about anyone can get a Ham License and become a glorified CB operator just with access to more distance than a CBr. Also most of the higher end gear is very sophisticated digital equipment, which the average person, even with great electronics knowledge and skills is not going to want to bother constructing. "Off the Shelf" purchase is the only sensible road to travel, rather than building your own, unless you are an absolute RF electronics geek who lives and eats electronics 24/7.
You can get a higher level license, requiring more electronics knowledge but, other than "Emergency Communication" in disasters which seems to be the selling point of Ham Radio nowadays, what is the appeal? As far as friends and groups, you don't need Ham Radio to have friends and groups to have a social gathering.
Some say that Ham Radio is a dying hobby the internet and smart phones have taken away the need for Ham Radio, although I know there still are Ham clubs around.
The most appealing aspect of Ham Radio then, was that you could setup a ham shack and communicate with people around the world directly with equipment you either assembled, bought as a kit or bought already assembled and transmit up to 2000 Watts back then. Talking to someone on the other side of the world was really amazing, especially if you had the knowledge and skill to make your own transmitter, even using CW & Morse Code, because there was no other way you could have direct access to such distant cultures and people, other than by airline travel.
THAT is all gone now, as the Internet gives everyone access to anyone in the world with an internet connection, even live Video and including Smartphones. Also just about anyone can get a Ham License and become a glorified CB operator just with access to more distance than a CBr. Also most of the higher end gear is very sophisticated digital equipment, which the average person, even with great electronics knowledge and skills is not going to want to bother constructing. "Off the Shelf" purchase is the only sensible road to travel, rather than building your own, unless you are an absolute RF electronics geek who lives and eats electronics 24/7.
You can get a higher level license, requiring more electronics knowledge but, other than "Emergency Communication" in disasters which seems to be the selling point of Ham Radio nowadays, what is the appeal? As far as friends and groups, you don't need Ham Radio to have friends and groups to have a social gathering.
Some say that Ham Radio is a dying hobby the internet and smart phones have taken away the need for Ham Radio, although I know there still are Ham clubs around.
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