On Tue, 25 Feb 2003, Nadav Har'El wrote:
> This is completely off-topic (as this thread was from the start...), but
> I am curious:
> Many years ago, ham radio was a very interesting way to "meet" people from
> other countries, chat with them, and get to know the world without living
> your home and without having your phone bill sky-rocket. These days, what
> does ham radio give you that the Internet doesn't, much more conveniently
> and without needing any licenses or tests?
This indeed is a very good question.
It is my understanding that the most important social function of radio
hams today is to provide alternative emergency communication network if
the regular networks fail due to natural disaster or war.
This function may become superfluous once protocols and infrastructure for
cellular networks, which don't require central authority, are in place.
Something like the WiFi technology. Using those technologies and
protocols, any group of cellular phones, which are in proximity to each
other, may communicate with each other without having to rely upon
operational cellular operators.
--- Omer
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