Living in Interesting Times

VE7TCC writes:



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"May you live in interesting times." -- ancient curse
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I'm new to ham radio as of this summer. I try to get on the air
whenever I can. My observations and the discussions I have had with others have got me concerned about a decline in amateur radio...






From my observation at least, amateur radio is going though a decline. Most of the
local repeaters are quiet all day with the exception of some
early morning and evening nets. Some old timers tell me of the
days when most of the repeaters were busy all day.
As far as amateur radio goes, we are living in interesting times.



Few of my non-ham friends have heard of amateur radio, and
most don't see any value in it. The internet and the cell phone
have replaced (or displaced) amateur radio.
There does not seem to be many new people joining the ranks.
The average age of the remaining hams is getting older.



I joined my local club recently. At the meeting, most of the members
were at retirement age. As a younger (still working) person I
kind of wondered what will become of the club in a few years.



Then I think of the repeaters, which are usually sponsored by
various clubs. When clubs wind down, do the repeaters become
silent repeaters (SR as opposed to SK)?
We need to do something soon to change the trend
around. We need more new folks joining, and active on the air.
It's hard to be a ham if there is noone to QSO with.



Around here, UHF is even more quiet than VHF. It makes me wonder.
At present I am learning my code so I can get on HF. I hope that
in other parts of the world it is more popular.



Duncan, VE7TCC