Topband: the future of ham radio
Hooray Nick – best piece of writing on this whole subject by farIn my 60+ years of hamming, the changes in technology is EXACTLY what has kept me so interested over that time...If all there was today was still AM phone and xtal-controlled rigs, I guess I would have looked for some more interesting things to do in my life. Thanks Nick – 73 -Jay NY2NY-160mDXCC (25 on Dig modes) _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future of Ham Radio
The sad part is that most, not all, don't care if they hobby dies. They are simply in it for themselves. On 10/26/2017 11:32 PM, WT2P - CJ Johnson wrote: (this is a non-topband related matter but I feel I must chime in -- mostly because if you scare away the next generation of topbanders, there won't be a topband) I wish most of you (agree or disagree with the ARRL) were in attendance at the W9DXCC Convention this year where Tom spoke very powerful and thought provoking words about the "Next Generation Ham" We as ham operators can sit around and lament all day about things that divide us, or you can get with the program to get new hams in. How you work your awards or your contest operations, that's fine! I've won a total of *one* plaque in my ham radio "career". Yay. Woopee. Most of my friends are pissed at me for spending weekends in front of a radio (which is abstract to them) just to win wallpaper. K1NZ who is younger than me hits the head on the nail with this post. If you really want to know what 20-somethings (and to be honest, myself and hams that grew up in the 90's) are thinking, read and re-read that post. 73, WT2P On 10/27/2017 12:03 AM, Nick Maslon - K1NZ wrote: Hi all, I apologize if this is not the place for this, but the recent FT8 discussion has gotten me to thinking. I'm one of the younger hams in the hobby. I got my license and extra at 20 and am 26 now. I was semi-active on the phone bands up until late 2015 when I moved into my current apartment and put up a bunch of wire antennas. I have a G5RV, 30m dipole, and a 160m L. Now, I am one to admit that I'm not all that proficient at Morse, but I can fudge my way through a QSO. Because of this, I have almost exclusively (outside of contests) turned to digital operating. I, personally have that thrill of working a new one on whatever band regardless of mode, even if it's a JT/FT mode. I just worked my first Bahrain on 40m FT8 tonight and cracked a beer to celebrate. My whole reason for writing this post is because of the "You can play in my sandbox only of you play my way" mentality. I am referring to the JT/FT modes if you want to be specific. I am lucky in that I rent from my uncle who doesn't care what wires I put up. On the other hand, most people my age are either living with their parents or are renting from people that will not let them participate in the hobby. In addition, I'm part of the vast minority of hams who got licensed before they were 40. I'll be blunt. It's going to be hard to retain teens in this hobby. Once they find girls/boys and go off to college, we might as well write them off for 20 years. This is an old (wo)man's hobby. It requires disposable income. I've barely cobbled together a station myself, but I'm limping along because of my love for this hobby. I hate to say it, but this whole mindset is why the youth of today are turned off from ham radio. Why should I pump hundreds of dollars into a hobby if I'm going to be greeted with "You need to learn CW" "FT8 is ruining the hobby" "You're not a real ham because you didn't pass the code test." I realize that new things involve change and that change is scary, but can we please welcome people into the hobby, even though that future isn't what is comfortable? Isn't is better to be using the bands than for them to be sold off and forgotten? This hobby is extremely multi-faceted. Can we please not judge and harass the people that want to get involved? I guess the whole reason why I wrote this post is because I'm sick of the "DO IT MY WAY" mindset. Can we please just get back to having fun and ignore the politics? 73 es gud DX, Nick K1NZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future of Ham Radio
(this is a non-topband related matter but I feel I must chime in -- mostly because if you scare away the next generation of topbanders, there won't be a topband) I wish most of you (agree or disagree with the ARRL) were in attendance at the W9DXCC Convention this year where Tom spoke very powerful and thought provoking words about the "Next Generation Ham" We as ham operators can sit around and lament all day about things that divide us, or you can get with the program to get new hams in. How you work your awards or your contest operations, that's fine! I've won a total of *one* plaque in my ham radio "career". Yay. Woopee. Most of my friends are pissed at me for spending weekends in front of a radio (which is abstract to them) just to win wallpaper. K1NZ who is younger than me hits the head on the nail with this post. If you really want to know what 20-somethings (and to be honest, myself and hams that grew up in the 90's) are thinking, read and re-read that post. 73, WT2P On 10/27/2017 12:03 AM, Nick Maslon - K1NZ wrote: Hi all, I apologize if this is not the place for this, but the recent FT8 discussion has gotten me to thinking. I'm one of the younger hams in the hobby. I got my license and extra at 20 and am 26 now. I was semi-active on the phone bands up until late 2015 when I moved into my current apartment and put up a bunch of wire antennas. I have a G5RV, 30m dipole, and a 160m L. Now, I am one to admit that I'm not all that proficient at Morse, but I can fudge my way through a QSO. Because of this, I have almost exclusively (outside of contests) turned to digital operating. I, personally have that thrill of working a new one on whatever band regardless of mode, even if it's a JT/FT mode. I just worked my first Bahrain on 40m FT8 tonight and cracked a beer to celebrate. My whole reason for writing this post is because of the "You can play in my sandbox only of you play my way" mentality. I am referring to the JT/FT modes if you want to be specific. I am lucky in that I rent from my uncle who doesn't care what wires I put up. On the other hand, most people my age are either living with their parents or are renting from people that will not let them participate in the hobby. In addition, I'm part of the vast minority of hams who got licensed before they were 40. I'll be blunt. It's going to be hard to retain teens in this hobby. Once they find girls/boys and go off to college, we might as well write them off for 20 years. This is an old (wo)man's hobby. It requires disposable income. I've barely cobbled together a station myself, but I'm limping along because of my love for this hobby. I hate to say it, but this whole mindset is why the youth of today are turned off from ham radio. Why should I pump hundreds of dollars into a hobby if I'm going to be greeted with "You need to learn CW" "FT8 is ruining the hobby" "You're not a real ham because you didn't pass the code test." I realize that new things involve change and that change is scary, but can we please welcome people into the hobby, even though that future isn't what is comfortable? Isn't is better to be using the bands than for them to be sold off and forgotten? This hobby is extremely multi-faceted. Can we please not judge and harass the people that want to get involved? I guess the whole reason why I wrote this post is because I'm sick of the "DO IT MY WAY" mindset. Can we please just get back to having fun and ignore the politics? 73 es gud DX, Nick K1NZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: The Future of Ham Radio
Hi all, I apologize if this is not the place for this, but the recent FT8 discussion has gotten me to thinking. I'm one of the younger hams in the hobby. I got my license and extra at 20 and am 26 now. I was semi-active on the phone bands up until late 2015 when I moved into my current apartment and put up a bunch of wire antennas. I have a G5RV, 30m dipole, and a 160m L. Now, I am one to admit that I'm not all that proficient at Morse, but I can fudge my way through a QSO. Because of this, I have almost exclusively (outside of contests) turned to digital operating. I, personally have that thrill of working a new one on whatever band regardless of mode, even if it's a JT/FT mode. I just worked my first Bahrain on 40m FT8 tonight and cracked a beer to celebrate. My whole reason for writing this post is because of the "You can play in my sandbox only of you play my way" mentality. I am referring to the JT/FT modes if you want to be specific. I am lucky in that I rent from my uncle who doesn't care what wires I put up. On the other hand, most people my age are either living with their parents or are renting from people that will not let them participate in the hobby. In addition, I'm part of the vast minority of hams who got licensed before they were 40. I'll be blunt. It's going to be hard to retain teens in this hobby. Once they find girls/boys and go off to college, we might as well write them off for 20 years. This is an old (wo)man's hobby. It requires disposable income. I've barely cobbled together a station myself, but I'm limping along because of my love for this hobby. I hate to say it, but this whole mindset is why the youth of today are turned off from ham radio. Why should I pump hundreds of dollars into a hobby if I'm going to be greeted with "You need to learn CW" "FT8 is ruining the hobby" "You're not a real ham because you didn't pass the code test." I realize that new things involve change and that change is scary, but can we please welcome people into the hobby, even though that future isn't what is comfortable? Isn't is better to be using the bands than for them to be sold off and forgotten? This hobby is extremely multi-faceted. Can we please not judge and harass the people that want to get involved? I guess the whole reason why I wrote this post is because I'm sick of the "DO IT MY WAY" mindset. Can we please just get back to having fun and ignore the politics? 73 es gud DX, Nick K1NZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
Hi Guys, All of this talk about the use of remote receivers, DX spotting nets, etc. etc. etc. surely will have us all arrive to the point that our human individual efforts to develop a specialized killer Amateur radio station will be usurped and eclipsed by one, single thing: the computer. Just as streaming companies such as Net Flix have put an end to the neighbourhood video disc rental store, and paper hard copies are being stopped by The Yellow Pages due to on-line information availability, so, too, will DXCC become redundant by the use of remote receivers, contesting will degenerate into an electronic battle of computer systems, ad nauseam. In short, the human element will be effectively removed from the equation, and with it, any fun that we traditionally may have derived from such activities. That day surely is fast approaching when the intrepid radio op will be able to turn on his radios, set-up the computer, and then go peacefully to bed on the eve of a major contest...and to wake up, restfully in the morning, to wander down to the shack, coffee in hand, to learn that, in his physical absence, the station made well over 3000 QSOs in the contest, and exceeded minimum requirements for DXCC. In conclusion, I have seen the enemy of Amateur radio---and the enemy is us. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
Hi Eddy, As usual, you've nailed it squarely! For many years I was an avid 2 meter DXer, really enjoying meteor scatter on ssb and moonbounce with cw. When digital methods came in to make those modes much easier, the challenge was gone I left. I honestly felt that a qsl request for such contacts should have been rejected with the comment Sorry OM, but you didn't work me, you worked my computer. I personally never heard you Notice also that you don't hear much about meteor scatter any more, and that many EME regulars have left the field. As BB King said: The Thrill is Gone. In order to leave all that, I took up TopBand DXing. It appears that history is now repeating itself. It seems that newcomers want the easy way out, and technology supplies it. Instant gratification, regardless how hollow, seems to be the new goal. Brian K8BHZ -Original Message- From: Eddy Swynar Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 7:59 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio Hi Guys, All of this talk about the use of remote receivers, DX spotting nets, etc. etc. etc. surely will have us all arrive to the point that our human individual efforts to develop a specialized killer Amateur radio station will be usurped and eclipsed by one, single thing: the computer. Just as streaming companies such as Net Flix have put an end to the neighbourhood video disc rental store, and paper hard copies are being stopped by The Yellow Pages due to on-line information availability, so, too, will DXCC become redundant by the use of remote receivers, contesting will degenerate into an electronic battle of computer systems, ad nauseam. In short, the human element will be effectively removed from the equation, and with it, any fun that we traditionally may have derived from such activities. That day surely is fast approaching when the intrepid radio op will be able to turn on his radios, set-up the computer, and then go peacefully to bed on the eve of a major contest...and to wake up, restfully in the morning, to wander down to the shack, coffee in hand, to learn that, in his physical absence, the station made well over 3000 QSOs in the contest, and exceeded minimum requirements for DXCC. In conclusion, I have seen the enemy of Amateur radio---and the enemy is us. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
On 02/05/2015 09:45 AM, Wayne Kline wrote: I my self enjoy the HUNT the listening on the other VFO trying to guess what and how he is operating.. Some OP's are predictable some it's a crap shoot. but that the FUN IMHO My .02 and then some And folks will have that same challenge and fun with RHR or other remote station provider. Using a remote station, having the big hardware and right location in no way guarantees an easy QSO. I consider myself a pretty good operator using Wayne's techniques, and it still took over an hour to work K1N on 160 the first night. But the real clincher is that another nearby operator, using an antenna with ~8 dB of gain over my shunt fed tower, never did work them that first night. In all of this anti-RHR discussion, you are forgetting the role of the operator and skill. 73, Steve, N2IC _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
On 2015-02-05, at 10:16 AM, k8...@hughes.net wrote: It seems that newcomers want the easy way out, and technology supplies it. Instant gratification, regardless how hollow, seems to be the new goal. Brian K8BHZ Hi Brian, You know what...? I can see the day coming---probably sooner, rather than later---where contest organizers will either run a unique contest unto itself, or create a separate special category for existing ones---called Vintage Operating Entrant...or at least, words to that effect... Wannabe nostalgic participants in this class will have to sign a contest entry affidavit saying that they (A) never once benefited from the presence of a computer in the shack, (B) maintained a hand-written log only throughout the event (and to include said logs), and, (C) submit their printed check-log as an integral part of their entry. All just like in ...ye olden golden days of the late great Victor Clark (W4KFC) of the ARRL... Sound like a ridiculous proposition...? Hey, it's no more preposterous than the annual Straight Key Night' sponsored by the ARRL, or the AM QSO Party supported by the Antique Wireless Association. People are people, and all the modern-day challenges will surely quickly lose their lustre, and the yearning for a true spirited competition---mano-a-mano will return, even if only on a small scale... ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
Hi Kent, I respectfully disagree with you... ANY forum worthy of its salt---like the Topband Reflector, which I like, and very much, too---should WELCOME engaging, intelligent input from its members. By doing so, it retains its vitality relevance as an OPEN FORUM to the community which it serves. By turning its back on such activities, it runs the risk of choking on its own input of the ...same-old same-old drivel, from the ...same-old same-old select cadre of experts. While I do, indeed, agree that earlier comments here about deliberate interference to the current activities of the DX-pedition bordered exactly on the quoted ...posting of personal criticisms, attacks, etc., I think that we, as a group, only benefited a result of the discussion that ensued. Just MY $0.02 worth...! ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ On 2015-02-05, at 12:14 PM, KENT wrote: Seems to me that this needs to be reviewed!! Just My .02 worth 73 de Kent N8ZRD Topband -- 160 Meter Information ONLY About Topband English (USA) Welcome to the topband mailing list! This list is intended for the exchange of information on 160-related topics ONLY. Our goal is to keep 160 information content high and noise low. Please do not post general topics like equipment wanted/for sale, work me in the contest, E-mail addresses needed, etc. Occasional problem 160 QSL requests are OK but use this reflector ONLY as a last resort after trying the usual sources. Feel free to post 160-related questions, but request responses directly and then summarize them in a followup post. DO NOT USE THIS REFLECTOR TO POST COMPLAINTS, PERSONAL CRITICISMS, ATTACKS, ETC. VIOLATORS OF THIS POLICY WILL BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT NOTICE. Be considerate of other subscribers who have bandwidth limitations and edit posts for brevity (include ONLY relevant excerpts of previous posts). When responding to a specific individual, think carefully before copying to the other 1700 of us on the reflector. Minimize noise, minimize bandwidth, maximize 160 information, act like gentlemen and enjoy! On Feb 5, 2015, at 11:57 AM, Eddy Swynar deswy...@xplornet.ca wrote: On 2015-02-05, at 11:14 AM, Anthony Scandurra wrote: I suppose we should go back to spark gap transmitters and coherent detectors, too... :-) 73, Tony K4QE Hi Tony, Oh gosh no, of course not! But by the same token, isn't it funny how the populace has embraced walking to the corner store for a loaf of bread, instead of climbing up into the ol' reliable Dodge Ram...? And how we are all urged now to eat healthy, ingesting foods with a minimum of processing...? And how we are requested to ...turn off your cell phones! before the start of a movie at your local cinema...? One can surely go on on with even more such scenarios, but the point is---I think, anyway!---that TOO much of an otherwise good thing can, in truth, be bad for you...and all this techno-wizardry has probably already taken us all well past the proverbial point of no return as radio amateurs, and firmly imbedded our feet into the fast-setting cement of the appliance operator... ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
Exactly correct, Eddy. 35 years ago I formed my opinion about 2m repeaters, realizing that everyone's signal was the same strength regardless of whether they had an 11 element antenna or a rubber duckie. It was too socialistic for my taste and I had no interest. An EME station was on my bucket list until I found out the current standard was a small antenna, 100 watts and some software to copy the signals that could not be heard. Today, why would anyone talk to someone using a 2m repeater when they can call on a cell phone? The percentage of amateurs to overall population in the USA is now about triple what it was 35 years ago. Remember when you used to get excited to see a ham license plate and honk HI in code? Have you started to do it and pulled your finger off the horn button? The vast majority of the last half million new hams have never built an antenna, put up a tower, built even the smallest accessory, made a single contact using morse code or done any of the things that the old timers grew up enjoying. They are all potential customers for RHR. I applaud WW2DX and W2RE for their foresight and business plan. I'll enjoy the time I have left but worry about the later-year enjoyment of my 35 year old son who has the same interests as me. Tomorrow why would anyone have a big station to maintain instead of calling on the Internet through a remote site? The something that is missing is the sense of accomplishment one might achieve in doing some work to achieve a goal. For only $99.00 you can work EP6T on 160m from the East Coast using a 4 Square without any sweat. Now that's something in which to take pride :-( As I've said many times beforeEnjoy it while you can. 73...Stan, K5GO On Feb 5, 2015, at 6:59 AM, Eddy Swynar deswy...@xplornet.ca wrote: Hi Guys, All of this talk about the use of remote receivers, DX spotting nets, etc. etc. etc. surely will have us all arrive to the point that our human individual efforts to develop a specialized killer Amateur radio station will be usurped and eclipsed by one, single thing: the computer. Just as streaming companies such as Net Flix have put an end to the neighbourhood video disc rental store, and paper hard copies are being stopped by The Yellow Pages due to on-line information availability, so, too, will DXCC become redundant by the use of remote receivers, contesting will degenerate into an electronic battle of computer systems, ad nauseam. In short, the human element will be effectively removed from the equation, and with it, any fun that we traditionally may have derived from such activities. That day surely is fast approaching when the intrepid radio op will be able to turn on his radios, set-up the computer, and then go peacefully to bed on the eve of a major contest...and to wake up, restfully in the morning, to wander down to the shack, coffee in hand, to learn that, in his physical absence, the station made well over 3000 QSOs in the contest, and exceeded minimum requirements for DXCC. In conclusion, I have seen the enemy of Amateur radio---and the enemy is us. ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
Makes you wonder ! I see it all the time.. There WIN 7 light speed machine with 32 GB Ram and QUADSSD's in Raid takes 40 sec to flash screen Gosh I still remember to the frustration of a transceiver with limited Clarifier and the joys of Split RX and TX boxes. during the BIG Romeo splits. Now with LP Pans, SDR's, RBN and SKimmers ( for the CW and now RITTY ) and Multiple Monitors the shack takes on a Mission Control environment. And your frustration level off the scale when your wait timer go's off and the big tube is ready and !!! I my self enjoy the HUNT the listening on the other VFO trying to guess what and how he is operating.. Some OP's are predictable some it's a crap shoot. but that the FUN IMHO My .02 and then some There is a old YouTube skit that I visit time and again to keep this in prospective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvCMT1wxWMg Wayne W3EA Future Of Ham Radio I suppose we should go back to spark gap transmitters and coherent detectors, too... :-) 73, Tony K4QE It seems that newcomers want the easy way out, and technology supplies it. Instant gratification, regardless how hollow, seems to be the new goal... _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
On 2015-02-05, at 11:14 AM, Anthony Scandurra wrote: I suppose we should go back to spark gap transmitters and coherent detectors, too... :-) 73, Tony K4QE Hi Tony, Oh gosh no, of course not! But by the same token, isn't it funny how the populace has embraced walking to the corner store for a loaf of bread, instead of climbing up into the ol' reliable Dodge Ram...? And how we are all urged now to eat healthy, ingesting foods with a minimum of processing...? And how we are requested to ...turn off your cell phones! before the start of a movie at your local cinema...? One can surely go on on with even more such scenarios, but the point is---I think, anyway!---that TOO much of an otherwise good thing can, in truth, be bad for you...and all this techno-wizardry has probably already taken us all well past the proverbial point of no return as radio amateurs, and firmly imbedded our feet into the fast-setting cement of the appliance operator... ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: The Future Of Ham Radio
On Feb 5, 2015, at 11:08 AM, Steve London n2ica...@gmail.com wrote: On 02/05/2015 09:45 AM, Wayne Kline wrote: I my self enjoy the HUNT the listening on the other VFO trying to guess what and how he is operating.. Some OP's are predictable some it's a crap shoot. but that the FUN IMHO My .02 and then some And folks will have that same challenge and fun with RHR or other remote station provider. Using a remote station, having the big hardware and right location in no way guarantees an easy QSO. ... and just in case anyone finds it far too difficult or can't afford the .99 per minute to work Navassa Island using W8JI's station via their cell phone remote link (give me a break), perhaps the software developers could write a program that would put the Dxpeditions in the Remote Assisted Mode at the top of each hour for a few minutes. For a little premium, shared by the expedition and RHR, the DXpeditions RX VFO could automatically switch among frequencies corresponding to the TX frequencies of the remoted stations calling. They would soon figure out to go up ten instead of up five to make sure it was a clear frequency. Just think of what we can come up with using today's technology with a dash of capitalism thrown in for seasoning! 73...Stan, K5GO _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
