1) The number of repeaters in our area has increased slightly but the activity on any of them is way-way down, One local put a recorder on the output of one popular repeater channel and found over a 24 hour period, it was in use less than 1% of the time. Even the newer IRLP and EchoLink repeaters attract very little interest.
2) Suspect the primary cause of the decline is due to alternative means of communication being available. Without a doubt, cell phones provide private communications world-wide just about everywhere and whenever and, at relatively inexpensive prices. Multi-channels of TV with multi-content delivered via cable and satellite attract attention during the evening hours. Ditto with satellite delivered multi-content radio channels available when mobile. Then too of course, are the ham forums on the internet such as this one, that competes for our time on the radio. 3) IMO this trend will not reverse but gradually continue. A possible parallel would be packet radio. In the beginning just as it was with repeaters, there was a rush to install packet network nodes over most of the US. Clubs and individuals were proud to be involved with the 'digital revolution. User interest waned and as time passed the network deteriated. Today there are very few "live" users. 73 de Jack - N7OO ----- Original Message ----- From: Tony L. To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 12:36 PM Subject: [Repeater-Builder] OT- Activity Level On Ham Repeaters Way Down In My Area The number of active ham repeaters in my area is way, way down in comparison to levels of 10 years ago. It isn't uncommon to monitor a repeater frequency and hear no traffic for weeks. Some clubs & individuals have just walked away from coordinated pairs. However, there are a few repeaters that have remained active, although certainly not to the extent they were in the past. Interestingly, even though traffic is way down, there's still a waiting list in my area for coordinated pairs on all bands. Questions: 1) Has there been a decline in traffic and the number of active repeaters in your area? 2) If so, what do you feel the primary cause is? 3) What can be done to generate renewed interest?
