Comment Re:how much of a loss? (Score 1) 309
I am a HAM operator too and have been in and out of the hobby. While my initial reaction was the same - this hobby is dying out but now I understand that the hobby appeals to a certain demographic because there isn't a lot of instant gratification on the air waves like a lot of computer/internet technologies. I am out for now, but I clearly see myself getting back to HAM radio after a certain age.
The popularity factor aside, HAM radio is essential when centralized infrastructure collapses during an emergency situation. It truly is a distributed / peer-to-peer network that can with stand pretty much all attacks except a nuclear EMP perhaps. HAM radio is emergency communication in the hands of the people vs being in the hands of the government and very much reflects some of the basic tenets that found this nation.
Here in Northern California, HAMs have a busy summer every year when the region is lit up with wild fires. Recently, during the uprising in Egypt when phones and internet were completely shut-off, news was still getting out thanks to morse code and HAM radio. So I am voting for HAM radio by renewing my ARRL membership :)
The popularity factor aside, HAM radio is essential when centralized infrastructure collapses during an emergency situation. It truly is a distributed / peer-to-peer network that can with stand pretty much all attacks except a nuclear EMP perhaps. HAM radio is emergency communication in the hands of the people vs being in the hands of the government and very much reflects some of the basic tenets that found this nation.
Here in Northern California, HAMs have a busy summer every year when the region is lit up with wild fires. Recently, during the uprising in Egypt when phones and internet were completely shut-off, news was still getting out thanks to morse code and HAM radio. So I am voting for HAM radio by renewing my ARRL membership