Hi All,
I read the article yesterday that Frank had referred to and forwarded it to a few friends.
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I received this URL today. Read number 16.
_http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i_ (http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i) cid=100214839x1205495530x1200282778
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Every time I go to an annual swapfest, the average age of attendees is one year older. We need to spend some time reaching out to a younger generation or #16 on the list will come true.
Many years ago, it was in the national interest to have a cadre of trained radio operators. Today, with CB, Cell Phones, cordless phones, FRS, etc. -- everyone is a radio operator. Now, military communications is done with a keyboard or microphone -- pretty much universal skills now.
As the article mentions, the airwaves are valuable property and we could lose them. Although the Amateur Radio Community shines when there is loss of communications during a disaster, with newer technology, even that could change.
A few years ago at the 2002 AMSAT meeting in Ft. Worth, Tony, AA2TX was giving a talk on his antennas made from cardboard boxes and aluminum foil. There was a grade school class in attendance with their teacher. When the talk was over, the kids swarmed over the boxes and aluminum foil to make antennas with great enthusiasm. Very inspiring -- this is the kind of reaching out we need.
Instead of our self serving pursuit of DXCC, WAS, VUCC, WAC and others, maybe the ARRL needs to sponsor an award for bringing new Hams into the community. Otherwise, someday, no one will remember what those letters even stood for.
73 & TNX,
Bob K5GNA
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