[Contents] [Library] [Reprint policy] [Disasters]
Distributed by the Virtual Publishing Company.
Earle Robitaille, KD6FEK, ewr2@pacbell.net
I read with a great deal of interest both the original article by Dan Lane who lamented the skyrocketing prices of ham equipment and the response by Bill Mechura who sees the Internet as the main threat to the amatuer radio future.
To some extent I agree somewhat with both, but only with some specific reservations: Costs are going to force many to shy away from a hobby that has so much to offer. That I can agree to. The costs of new equipment is out of the question for many who have a real interest. But to say that $2000.00 is the minimum cost to get started is a bit of overstatement. I run a good rig that was put together from bits and pieces purchased in classified ads & on-the-air Ham Swapmeets. If I were licensed to do so, I could make two-way contacts around the world; my son does so on a regular basis as he holds the appropiate ticket. Every item in my ham inventory which includes transciever, power supply, tuner and a big old GAP vertical multiband antanna set me back less than $1000. If there is a will, there is a way. Price is relative. Anyone who wants into Amatuer Radio can get there without too much effort.
While Bill Mechura's comments on the internet being a threat have some truth to them, even they are not entirely accurate. To the extent he is refering to urbanized areas, he is right on! Amatuer Radio is going to have one hell of a time competing with e-mail and other forms of electronic communications in the future in those areas where such sophisticated services are provided.
I would respectfully disagree with Mr Mechura when such dire predictions are applied at most of this globe where no such esoteric conditions exist.
I spend most of my time trying to get information out of the Baja, Mexico area. This is one of the most remote and untouched areas left on the face of this earth. Most folks in Baja don't even have phone service, let alone fax or Internet Providers. My operation needs weekly information from 10 different locations on the Baja peninsula. If it were not for Ham Radio, I could kiss off the entire effort. I run the Amigos de Baja's BajaNet which is on the Internet at http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/4888
We provide current information to travelers, fishermen, divers, surfers, windsufers and explorers of the most unusual piece of real estate.
Without Ham Radio, we would be out of business. No other method works in
these Third World areas as does Ham Radio. We may have some problems to
deal with in the future, but the reports of our death seem a bit
premature.
Earle Robitaille
KD6FEK
Amigos de Baja
Back to table of contents