The number one reason for decline is elitist gatekeepers. There is a lack of encouragement in this hobby and way to many people act like your invading their personal playground.
These are the narcissists. They wont tolerate any idea, or good or bad feeling, or any other thing that hasn't originated from them. They will punish people for any outward spoken word that does not conform to their thinking. Repeat the company line or get out. RUclips search "covert narcissist".
This will encourage the FCC to see these "quiet bands" as lucrative real estate to sell to the highest bidder...look at the situation in Region I, everyone is at risk for losing bandwidth because of the French proposal...I definitely agree that these narcissists are putting the hobby at risk...in the future, as bits of bandwidth are sold, they will be the first to ask why and the first to blame everyone else...such is the nature of a narcissistic personality...
@@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938 Exactly correct. The danger is not so much them, but the people who are so easily swayed to believe them. There needs to be some mechanism whereby the voting members are alerted to the negative performance of the Narc before they get their claws in.
Wish I had an answer...🤷♂️ for me most of my experience was commercial TV and when I worked as a medic vhf/uhf commercial radio for EMS communication...I've only recently started dabbling in the ham side and I don't want to see a cool hobby disappear because of a few jerks...we should be evangelizing instead...I don't know though...I am just an FNG as we used to call them in EMS :-D
@@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938 Narcs learned these techniques for survival when they were four years old, and then honed their manipulations their entire life - don't think for a second it will be easy. The best way I have seen so far, is to publicly expose and promote their failures, and also directly state to them in the company of others that we know they are a sham and their actions are all fake - this will cause them a massive galling and near irretrievable amounts of embarrassment and horror, usually so much so that they will go to ground and never come out again - I have been very successful with this approach. The Narc knows at a guttural level that their life is all a fake put-on, and any publicly made revealings of this, backed up by facts to support it will result in a severe meltdown. Disclaimier: Use with extreme caution - may result in death, probably yours.
Yep. Problem everywhere. When I got into ham radio it was fun. I moved into a town and the local group was very unfriendly and had attitude we don't want you. They changed their attitude when they found out I was over a communications system for public safety in the county and I encrypted everything from dog catcher to public works, police fire ems. They tried to pull the ares crap and how they should have access for emergency aide comms. Nope. Sorry. AES and ain't looking back. All the users love it and stops the streaming online to rubber necks and Facebook okay by play posts.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Not going to say what clubs I went to, But the regional ARRL guy was giving a talk about how to engage the new hams. I was impressed with the ARRL speaker, and the plan that was presented. Its a great idea. No one spoke to me... The other guys tried to get others to come over and introduce themselves, nope... Its a great plan, cept hams ive seen seem to be a lot like me, VERY introverted, so maybe too bold of a plan? Just the two older guys that picked me up talked to me. If an IT person comes to a club meeting, and throws around worlds like Linux, GNURadio, and SDR transceivers, and hes really excited about it... make sure you make him feel welcome. If they know Linux, they prob don't have many friends :P
@@lifeisamatrix5960 😆 it's called armchair warrior syndrome. We have a whole bunch of them in our area club. They love to scold, bully and humiliate. Its not only impervious to the ham frequencies, gmrs is full of them as well, and most of them are also ham operator's.
I've been a ham since the early 90's. I was also career military, so I moved around a LOT. Different areas of the country are far more active than others on local repeaters. Surprisingly, Southern CA is one of the quietest areas I've been in. I'd scan and call for two hours daily during commutes and rarely get a response. The "regulars" were VERY cliquish and would rarely respond to anyone but their circle of friends. Very discouraging.
I remember the two local repeaters being fairly busy in the early 80s. I think everyone having a cell phone is part of it. I never really got into 75 m because it’s so many little groups that talk everyday. I have never worked any dx on 75. I never hear anyone call CQ. 40 meter cw or phone is my favorite.
I know guys back in the day would clear off the repeater from a QSO and say "73, whatever call sign, listening." The some other station would come on and announce their call and the first station never answer. That was in the 70's
Agreed. I live in los angeles area. I am trying to CQ on 146.520 in San Fernando Valley but so far no luck. I occasionally pick up one traffic or two from one repeater near me during the day. Probably I will get more activity during those net events or newbie event but we will see about that. KN6HDK.
I noticed that 2m FM started to go downhill when ALL FM repeaters went PL all the time. This meant that if they were not already familiar with the repeater, they couldn't make use of it. This could have been remedied with the use of a particular PL tone not to access the repeater, but rather to have the repeater report the PL tone to access the repeater. Then DMR hit the scene. Amateur Radio QSOs were now unable to be heard nor joined by hams that didn't have hundreds of dollars to buy a new radio just to do the same thing. Finally, there's the cold shoulder. My nephew earned his license, only to be bullied off the air by hostile hams. EDIT: My nephew got his Extra, enjoying HF now.
When I was a kid, the club had a repeater. Then they put a PL on it, my Elmer hated it. He stopped working on the repeater, they thought he want being a team player. Can't do stuff that goes against your fiber. In the mid 90's not everyone's radio was PL capable. The activity dropped. Moved out of the states and now that I been back it feels like hams are not as nice as I remember. The city that I live, there are a lot of repeaters. Is Bob on repeater 1 or 30?
There are some assumptions baked into this video. 1. That there are repeaters that are more popular, and some that are not in any particular area. or 2. That there is a large number of active people out there - but they are all doing something else. --- I have not seen evidence that either of these are true. I was once part of a large and thriving hobby that died out, and as it took its last breaths we made assumptions like this for a long time as well. We were wrong. There are very few talking -and- there are very few listening. There was one tiny net I used to do on my drive to work - after 3-6 months of showing up and politely following the proper sequence every morning they were still getting my callsign and name wrong. Though they knew the "regulars" by heart. I didn't have multiple doctor's appointments to announce - descriptions of my current ailments - and had to get to work each day. I guess I didn't fit in.
I recently passed my technician and general in the last month. I purposely bought a Yaesu FT 70 to hit the repeaters in the area. I also put together an antenna for two meter and 70 cm use. I mostly monitor the repeaters on my old sport cat and they are very quiet. Granted I don’t have the best reception in my forest I need to get through. Unfortunately not once has anybody acknowledge my presence. I am starting to get concerned about whether my settings are correct, however I do get a CW response. I was going to hold off going to HF but I am now moving in that direction.
I just passed my Tech and General and eagerly checked for my call sign. After a week or so I finally had it and found a repeater the next day. 420’ up in the OBX, NC area. Lots of activity on 2M analog... initially random and then clicky friends. After watching a few videos on making initial calls I put my call sign out and got a response almost immediately. Told him it was first contact, nice call and then got another response from someone who wanted to be number two in my log. I’m very happy I had a good first experience and wish everyone could as well... makes it a lot more fun.
I have given my call on my local repeater and no answer. 60 seconds later someone else does the same and 9 or more of his buddies start talking .........
Well, this may just be a reason to go digital/DMR and get out of the confines of your local repeater(s). When you call statewide and/or nationwide, you are bound to get more responses than from your local repeater clique... I just got my first DMR radio and added the Texas statewide Brandmeister channel. I hear guys nightly, but they are all in bed by 11 PM.
Personally, that’s how I see repeaters. Either A: talking to those you already know. Or B: using it for local comms when needed (skywarn, ares). I personally don’t throw out my call often. I’m usually only on radio during weather anyway. But I have the mindset of “if I don’t know you, I won’t answer you”. Like the other week when another HAM called out to me over EchoLink. I was at work, and busy. But was in there for a specific reason. Not to necessarily to chat.
@@alleneggemeyer8478 The thing with DMR is the older radios only being UHF kept me away for a long time. I've used DMR in the commercial world and the audio sounds like crap. I'm from the scanning world, so only more recent radios with both bands have me more interested, and there's now more businesses on DMR to listen to. Some guys around here want people to get on C4FM Fusion around here, but you can't use those for any commercial or public safety scanning.
Great video and questions. About 42 years ago I became a ham because I wanted to talk to family and friends(long distances) without the cost burdens of the “line” telephone services. I grew to love 2 meters so I could chat with friends while commuting to and from work. I especially enjoyed the “safety” and convenience of having the “phone” patch system thru 2 meter repeaters as I travelled for my job a great deal. As soon as commercial cellular services became less costly and readily available; I leased a “bag” phone for the xyl-never a ham. So u can easily see the pattern. I too have had an iPhone for years; and I chat/FaceTime with Ham buddies now. If we enter a societal period of technology disruptions- my vhf gear is “bagged” and ready.
This is a great video Michael. If I examine my own history I remember as a child in the early 60s getting together with my cousins and neighbors on a regular basis. I was the youngest with my oldest sibling 12 years older than me. We farmed, we had a lot of neighbors. We belonged to a local 4H club. We went to Church every Sunday. All of our neighbors did too. It might not have been the same church, but we went. There were some one square mile sections that had 3 large families that lived there. We are lucky to have one couple per two to three sections today. There is still some community but like me we are getting old and dying off. I checked the local zip codes for local hams and I am the only one in my zip code. The closest repeaters are at least 20 plus miles away. I should get my YSF and DMR radios hooked up to one of your 70cm and a 2m J-Poles and start using them. Although I think one of the owners of a Wires-X system was upset that I used a Wires-X repeater to hook into a local talk group from a HT when I was in that town. It was advertised as an open to all and a Wires-x YSF repeater. No ham clubs in our immediate area but there are enough licensed hams to form a club. I think the whole division between political and even religious groups has done a lot of harm in this country and it is nothing new. It has been here since the beginning of time. Sure, we blame the latest president or congress or what the news media said for this division. It would be a better world if we all got on the radio or get together at the local coffee shop and talked about something else for change. (Our local coffee stop has been labeled as the local funeral home's holding tank) I tend to keep my mouth shut about politics and was finding the ham airwaves to void of such discussion but someone got on the radio yesterday and started yapping about politics so I just shut the radio off. Yes It is easier to hook a hotspot up than erecting a tower and putting an antenna on it. Hams are even hooking these HS into their smartphone data hotspots and taking this setup on the road instead of using a local repeater. Sorry Michael...long comment.
I think it's important to create a welcoming environment on the repeater and its nets. Throw your callsign out there and try to respond to others if you can. Talk about more than just ham radio and be a human being. Be kind, be humble, and be willing to learn. Most of all, just have fun with it! 73!
Totally agree. Digital modes are mostly the product of commercial competition, and not in the spirit of ham radio at all. Some of the modes aren't even open, i.e. require proprietary codecs of linking. I wish new digital local repeater licenses were issued on condition of cross-mode operation.
I live in a rural area in the north USA. Yesterday our cellphone and landlines were interrupted by what I understand to be an accidental construction dig. They were down the entire day and this morning they are down again for repair. The only thing working in town is the ham radios and what system the local sheriff has up for emergencies. It makes me wonder, what will people do if something like this occurs in other towns and cities. How would people get help in an emergency situation? How would others be noticed about an emergency without the use of their cellphone. Most of us carry insurance incase of an accident, death or fire, so why not communication insurance? Learning to use a ham radio by becoming a licensed operator is great start. Ham radio operators can assist those without radios in emergency times. I realized after watching this video and seeing firsthand what it's like to be without phone communication and that it is up to us hams to spread the word. We should all do our part in introducing ham radio to others who just don't know it exists.
I'll bet your local sheriff has not yet implemented an encrypted trunk system. That will make amateur assistance in time of trouble largely irrelevant.
I have been a have been a Tech since 1992 in 2 states. In Ohio I was a member of a club and lots of activity on the repeater. Since 2001, I have lived in Florida. I joined a club but soon found out that most were Extra class snobs and elites who only talked to each other. They only used club repeaters for nets and emergency traffic. Rag chew was simply frowned upon. So after 3 years I dropped out and don't miss the old fuddy duddy code pushing clowns. I mostly now only make contacts on simplex. Just my 2 cents...the hobby will die off if these elitist don't change and start being more like real people and elmers to the younger generation New to ham radio. JMHO
Bigdog 1964 , I was living in Florida during the Jeb years and thought for sure you were going to tell tails of success, Florida has some open areas that are a bit wild But i never felt more freedom in my life, Im surprised to hear that, but understandable with some arrogant retirees.
I'm a younger guy just getting into it in central Florida. I had no idea this is how things are out there. I would have thought veteran operators would be happy to see people getting to the hobby. I'm learning about communications not only as a hobby but also as preparation as it seems like common sense. I hope to meet good folks out there when I get my license.
As a newly licensed HAM (one month since passing the test), I found DMR both exciting and frustrating. The fractured groups DMR-MARC, Brandmeister and the like added a level of complexity and frustration when trying to find my way - some RUclips videos were helpful and your channel became a favorite. Additionally, repeater databases seem to be out of date, limited talk groups depicted and learning to build a working codeplug was and is a challenge. I wonder how many new hams are discouraged and how many find their way through? Now add to that hotspots... incredible. I would say there is a great opportunity to simplify and unify the world of HAM. Getting accurate repeater database listings, repeater friendly owner/operators to help keep details current, a DMR source for education (one stop for all, especially the new HAMS) and promote both the analog and DMR use. I've found awesome people along the way and some useful sites - but more could be done to better promote this valuable and enjoyable "hobby". Just a perspective and initial perception from someone new - no offense to anyone intended and appreciation to all those who are trying to improve HAM (seen and those unseen) - Ken
Trick: How to get a QSO on a dead repeater: Just get on and say "CQ CQ CQ This is , anyone available for a quick contact?" Invariably someone will get on and tell you that that is *NOT* the way to call CQ on a repeater. At which time you can lightly apologize and have a contact. They get to tell you something that you already knew; and you get a nice QSO. Works like a champ.
Thanks for your view and info. At 62 Yrs Old, I first became a Ham at 16 and up until 2 years ago very active to light active up and down over the years from HF then back to VHF/UHF. Three or so years ago I gave all my equipment to a New Licensee for free. At the time I was not into HF and well just like this video, the repeaters in two different locations (Nevada and Calif) were dead almost all the time and made me feel I was the only one still in HAM. But once in a while I would find a active repeater in SoCal area with a lot of people as I have a home in Irvine. WOW, the unwelcome treatment to people hopping on that Repeater as guests was like you stole his dog. I gave up and even let my license expire. Then a few weeks ago I was in a store in Tucson AZ and a nice guy was using his iphone as a two way radio and I ask him what he was using. He said oh, I'm a HAM talking to a friend in UK. He then told me about Network Radio with ZELLO. I downloaded and wow my eyes light up with excitement again. I re-tested last week and passed to re new my license. Still waiting for FCC update but so excited. I will be focused on Digital only. I am building a Node with PI right now and want to check out DMR, Fusion, D-star but mostly how they connect with Network Radio. There is something MAJOR MAJOR WRONG with HAM Radio when a APP two-way has over 120 Million users. I hope to be part that moves these two Functions together and use the Network Radio as a tool to excite and move newer and younger users onto the Wonderful world of HAM Radio. Let's All give part and make them welcome. 73's
Having watched this video and others on RUclips I have to chime in again. I was and will likely be again a C.B. radio guy. I was told of course they are a trashy bunch and the Ham people are way better blah blah blah. Well I have tried over and over to be a Ham operator. I went so far as to upgrade to a General class. I have to say the H.F. group is far more welcoming to new hams than anything I have found on F.M. I work for Amazon and at times travel all over. I thought it would be interesting to bring my HT with me and see if the good old boys club was everywhere or just around my home. I found unfortunately that people in Ohio, Florida, and several other states had the same problem. I would try to strike up a QSO with others that I had been listening to on the radio and most times I was ignored. I have had a few with a few good folks but mostly you're not welcome. I've read many that have defended themselves saying oh I always talk to the new people but do you? Really?
Well that was interesting information. First, I'm not an amateur radio operator. I got into CB radio at a very young age (70s). Loved it. Over the years I had towers and beams and ok gear. I started to get into Morse code in the early 90s, but life took me down a different path. For the last 25 years, it's been commercial VHF UHF. Occasionally CB on the highway. All my CB radio stuff was packed up and dismantled. Enter the virus. Well, I bumped into some old CBers at a garage sale. They got me interested in radios again. Turns out that I had been freebanding for years. Dug out an old CB radio and hooked it up to a magnet mount antenna. One morning skip was actually rolling. I hear a station that could be local. I call CQ. He answers and he's in Ohio. I'm in western Canada. First contact in 25 years. This got me thinking about amateur radio for more than one reason. I'm currently studying on my own and will write the exam next week. Why didn't I do this sooner?? Well, it's the amateur snobbery. I've dealt with ares on a professional level. Honestly, they get in the way of business. They're always right there to tell you everything that you're doing wrong. They're here on RUclips scolding someone for something. If you ever mention CB radio around them, they cringe and have a comment or three. Not exactly a group I want to belong to. If they're concerned about the lack of operators and dwindling mumbers, it's because they're doing wrong. They drive people away. If the goal is to kill the hobby, they're doing a great job. Keep it up. I'm getting my license for my own reasons and quite honestly, I have no time for the snobs that think that they're so enlightened and above others. Remember this most important thing in amateur radio. The word "AMATEUR". You're freaking AMATEURS. Get over yourselves and stop belittling non amateur operators. You should be mentoring and encouraging. Just my take on it after 45 years. In 1982 I talked to Germany on a 3 element beam, a 4 watt am radio and have the QSL card to prove it. I didn't need no stinking ham. Also, CB seems to be picking up again. So why isn't amateur radio??
I'm just getting started working on my Technician license. There is indeed only silence in my local area. Hoping to learn more, upgrade equipment, and get on the air. I don't yet know the allure of digital, but I'll be using analog exclusively out the gate.
two comments: Let's try to be more active about calingl back when someone throws out their call on UHF/VHF, even if it's not a friend of ours. Also, let's always keep in mind that being prepared for emergency, grid-down situations is an important aspect of ham radio. That is to say, we need to stay in practice of communicating with each other using RADIOS rather than cell phones and the internet.
My local area runs a 2m simplex net weekly to practice radio to radio communication. It also gives an opportunity to test equipment and stations. Anyone that can hear one of the four net controls or anyone that can reach anyone that can reach a ncs is welcomed. Yes, we practice relays. This is not a prepper group, this is the ham community.
I was monitoring my repeater this week when someone asked for a signal report and I answered him even though his didn't sound legitimate, after three calls I never heard from him.
Michael, I really appreciate your comments on this. I'm a brand new ham licensee, and I've had my first radio sitting and scanning all of the local repeaters, hoping to get an idea of what's out there. I've heard nothing on FM, and I don't even know which digital network I'm hearing when those come up. It's kind of disheartening to see all the intro videos saying to watch the repeaters and learn what's out there, when it's darn near impenetrable for me. Your comments at least help me with perspective, and give me some ideas what to do. Thanks!
Great video. Thanks. Yes, I've complained about the lack of traffic on local repeaters. I approached the historical and geopolitical background you gave. Awesome!
I tried 2m for a while a couple years ago, but it wasn't fun. Just some local yokels and it wasn't very challenging. So I learned CW and now I do dozens of QSOs per week all over the country. I am loving it!
Subdivision HOA restrictions (CC&R's) are a major factor. In much of the western US, particularly Arizona, 96% of residential subdivisions created in the past 35 years have extremely prohibitive antenna restrictions. This has effectively created a roadblock for anyone wanting to use anything requiring an antenna.
Something like that could be solved, just put an antenna in the attic, Many hams where I live have theirs setup just like that. And they are very active.
During the 80s, I lived in south Louisiana, and CB Activity was very hot. We had tons on the air, We had a get together at a local park, and we noticed extra people, we did not know. We got together lots like at Pizza Hut, never saw them. We found out, they were listeners, they had CB radios setup at their house and just enjoyed listening to all of us. They could match our voice to our CB handle. It was pretty cool.
mike girdwood - I’ve been revisiting CB as well. But it’s degenerated so badly since it’s unregulated. “MF” this and “MF” that with every other over powered breath. 10 and 6 meters is a lot of fun when it’s open. Better behavior.
I love what you are doing for amateur radio. I cannot believe how much I enjoy your topics. I just renewed my license after 10 years of getting my Extra. I havent been on the radio or even turned them on in 5 years and yet all of a sudden I am back. You are part of that reason. Thank you for answering the questions I am wondering about and talking about topics I have thought about constantly. I have very high hopes for this group of amateurs that I am going to be with for field day. I never met these guys before and I think it might be what I am looking for.
Great video. I remember when I could throw out my call on a 2M repeater and get a quick response or I could leave a 2M rig on and eventually hear someone looking for a QSO. Those were great days, a couple of us would start chatting and then others would join in for a fun roundtable. Not so much these days. I haven't fired up a 2M or 70cm rig in quite a long time since there's nobody out there. We may eventually lose some of the bands if we don't start using them again.
I remember those days as well. Sadly long gone in a lot of areas! I think this has happened for several reasons. 1)cell phones becoming MUCH cheaper 2)rude/poor behaviour on the bands has scared off the real hams 3)rise of social media 4)HOA and similar rules on home antennas 5)unfriendly clubs 6)unfriendly hams on air that don't talk to "outsiders" These are trends that aren't going to end anytime soon, sadly. I was very active years ago. But I don't bother turning on HF, and while I have a dual bander(with DMR) on 24/7, I rarely hear anything now! That's with about 60 hams within earshot! Had a sorry experience on 2m some years ago. Someone was passing through from the next county over. She was talking to someone from her hometown. They cleared, so I got on to say hello. She said "I don't talk to people on the radio that I haven't met in person FIRST!". Really? I just said "ok, hi, by!" and cleared the frequency! And I thought we hams were friendly folk! Guess not anymore. Have had similar experiences on HF as well! For every friendly person I meet, there are a couple that just have to be idiots! We also have a local club that doesn't do much, also has some rather unfriendly members. That doesn't help the cause either! But it also depends on where you are! Some places have MUCH more activity AND more friendly folk than others. But that too changes! Used to live in another area that was full of activity. Now, not so much sadly. The hobby/service IS dying, a very slow death I'd say. Just some thoughts and observations. Your mileage may very! 73 de kd7cjo
Here, in Brazil, is the same... repeaters are very quiet ! In my city there are 2 Rpts, one is connected with internet (EchoLink) but nowadays it is quiet, unfortunately! 73, PY2USA
They are all on simplex I think? When my group of 20 hams tried to put up our own machine that would be state of the art digital the coordinators said there were no frequencies available.
The man has a point! After all, how fun is it to carry around a Shack on a crack and talk the same people you could talk to with a cell phone. I'll admit, when I first got licensed at 12 years old, I scraped together a lot of pennies to buy my first HT. However, 30 years later, I find it boring to talk to anyone stateside on HF and will include Stateside contesting, which is only slightly more entertaining than watching the grass grow. The only other mode more boring then repeater operation, would have to be FT-8. However, I would certainly not want to "balkanize" any of y'all out there!
Around here the repeaters are used for specific purposes... skywarn nets, club nets, etc. but the rag chewing typically occurs on a set of repeaters that are linked together.
Yes i am a HF from 65 years ago. Tried 2 mtr and 6 mtr. Talking 20 miles away dies not interest me. Grew up in a none cell phone time. Communicating to some body around the other part of the world was fascinating at that time. Learn my CW learn transmitter circuitry and then HF communication only and that's probably the way I'll die. I have nothing against the two meters just not fascinating me talkin around the block
I agree about the fragmentation, internet, and cell phones. Where I live in the SF Bay Area we do have P25, DMR, D-Star, Fusion on 6 meter, 2 meters, 220, UHF, 900 mhz, and 1.2 GHz. Usually when I hear people talking to one another it is some type of pre-arranged chat between friends or a group. Rarely do I hear someone just call out on the local repeater and talk to some, as yet, unknown person. And here all the repeater pairs are filled. We have so many repeaters and so little use. I am very concerned that we will continue to lose our bands. I also agree with one of the comments that some hams will chase off new hams. New hams need to be encouraged, not the opposite. Let's hope ham radio can survive in terms of lack of use and that we don't lose our bands to any of the entities that would take our bands in a hot minute.
Great video, here in Australia we have a group of linked 70cm FM repeaters that is connected to IRLP Reflector 9503 from memory and linking these repeaters over vast areas has certainly increased usage with the repeaters busy most of the day and into the evening.
The common denominator here is "Conversation! all hams love to talk! that's one reason we became amateurs to begin with. so go where you can talk and the bands that you like to do it on and just call CQ! someone will pick you up. Just sitting around listening is not going to do it, and fearing being ignored. Call CQ! you will not be ignored!. also there has been a serious lack of "Elmers!!" take a newbie under your wing and help in any way you are capable of. You don't have to be and engineer to help someone. pass along what knowledge you do have and he/she will get the rest elsewhere. All too often I see and hear Newcomers say no one helps them. So Help them!.
I think it has to do something with ... 1 that the youth dont want study so much electronics just to get on the bands. They have a phone with internet. 2 Licensed hams are on dmr internet hotspots. 3 too much sk's . 4 Not everybody can have antennas on there roof or a 100 foot tower. 5 Cost of a renting a space in a big commercial tv tower cost lots of money in EU. The electricity cost for a repeater, and internet are also €€€ . Those are the reasons i can think up ride now for my area in Europe. Voip kills most repeaters. And Icom prices too.
I think the decline is simpler than just Analog vs (DStar | DMR | P25 | System Fusion). The decline began when the need for subaudible tones began (owing to leaky cable TV systems). That made it difficult for people to get on repeaters when they travel, because they have to program in both the frequency and the subaudible tone.
Not been active for years but still listen. Radio is dying due to many factors but mainly it's too expensive for a new hobbyist. Repeaters are easily plagued by the idiot factor and rarely used for mobile use. Most frequencies are split into so many little parts its ridiculous as most modes are obsolete now due to pc and mobile phones. I'm from the UK and I do listen throughout the frequencies from time to time but hear very few people now.
Me thinks there are really two reasons why: The first being way back, hams were SUPER friendly, always welcoming, your 'family' attitude. I was always amazed how well fellow hams treated each other. Today people in general are just more rude, and to themselves. Not a lot of people are going to want to be part of that. The second is availability. As you mentioned way back, you'd turn on the radio and a ton of people were right there... today well not going to say there aren't still some pockets of high use, but nothing along the lines of before, so people often turn the rig on put out a few calls , other heard they eventually move on... just my silly two cents. Lots of reasons but I felt those were prob biggest two.
The patent protected developers, System Fusion and D-Star need to add the open source mode DMR to their radios to allow a common system to make initial contact and then operators can move the contact to the manufactures proprietary mode if so equipped. Simple and no cost solution.
No one (other than an anecdotal case here and there) under the age of 45 has any interest in AM or FM radio or cable TV, let alone the crackling “void’ that is SW, CB, ham, etc. All these have been supplanted by internet video. As many radio junkies recall fondly and with a chuckle the dialing up of AM stations 700 miles away on a transistor radio in their bedrooms, today’s young and middle age will recall fondly and with a chuckle spooling up “bingeTV” on Hulu and watching it all weekend while texting chat to their Discord group. There is absolutely no way to convince young and middle aged to invest in radio equipment, especially Ham bands, so they can listen to discussions about antennas and what someone had for dinner 600 miles away; they already have virtual “friends” from Sweden, Japan, and Australia through TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat, and they discuss movies & games &, well, yes, what they had for dinner, with their pals every night, and they do it live by video. Commercial air radio is dead. Dead as a door nail? When we die, then yes.
your points are very valid. my 10 year old though has been interested in walkie talkies, which lead to ham and he's getting his license, but unfort. he'll prob have no one to talk to these days. He uses discord, but there's something he finds interesting in internetless communication. Maybe it's a fad, or maybe he'll dig deeper and ask for better equipment. I always liked picking up odd frequencies to listen to (not talk), I was more of a scanner person. If my son heard CW and had a device spit out the message, he'd prob think he's in a spy movie. Or render a fax via SW. I think that would intrigue him, but i dont know for how long. His main form of communication will always be discord.
I love this video yes we as a ham community need to spend time on both systems back and forth from analog to digital and vice versa what a great idea. 73 let's keep those repeaters going ham family
You can apply this great commentary on what's going on in today's society. New to the radio world. This explains why I do not hear much on my local repeaters.
I got bored before 2000 and when the city wouldn't renew the deal for water tower space, I took down the repeater, put it in my barn, put away my kenwoods, icoms and when we moved to the country didn't put back up the tower, let my and my wifes amateur licenses lapse and went to smart phones and left all the old squirell watchers behind. I'm seeing there have been a few new modes and technologies in ham radio in the last 20 years. Local prepping friends want to go GMRS/repeater. Hams around here used to look down on preppers. Maybe things have changed in the last 20 years.
Hi Michael, this is my first comment for your channel. I've been watching your videos as well as many others as I study to take my test. I'm in your area and will hopefully hear ya out there soon. Bought my first radio last week even and many of my friends in the Jeep community are already Hams. While many of the Jeepers in the area still run CB, we have a few dozen ham licensed and on rides, those folks are mostly using 2m over cb (again, this is really cool!). We learned the hard way when we took our group to South Dakota that those Jeep clubs all use ham, nobody uses cb so it was a real eye-opener. We're approaching 500 member profiles in our club on rl4wd.com and we now have a dedicated ham committee to help members transition from cb and cell phone to amateur radio and aprs. If we're successful, you may see a lot of new hams around SEWI. 2 of our guys even become examiners, working on a 3rd so when we do rides, we can also offer ham crams and testing at some events (also open to the public of course), this way jeepers will be teaching jeepers. We found that new riders tend to do a good job of following our guides and getting licensed is a very big chunk of our communication segment on the site. Anyway, I could go on and on about it all because we're having a lot of fun with it, but I'll save that for another time. Just know we look forward to being an asset to the ham radio community. I'm very excited to try fox hunting and may even helping host some tournaments like this on the 4x4 trails! Anytime we can combine a fun game, education and riding trails, it's a WIN haha. Keep up these awesome videos! I know how much work they are to plan, prep, shoot, edit, and release. You've been a real inspiration as a local ham I may be able to talk with one day soon.
Just found this video. Having operated here in the UK for nearly 40 years I've seen repeater activity decrease until these days I can call out until I'm blue in the face and not hear anybody! Saying that, I do have regular QSOs with a couple of stations on our local 2m repeater on my way to and from work and this has become a regular sched. I also understand anecdotally that there are a number of other stations who listen in to some of our technical discussions but do not join. I don't know how it is in the US but I have a number of thoughts about the lack of activity in the UK. 1) More repeaters: the number of repeaters has shot up over the years so diluting activity. 2) Changing work patterns: a lot of ops used to be service engineers out and about on calls. Now they sit behind a computer and answer phones. Also, these days we are slaves to the mobile phone so having a ham or pmr rig in your work vehicle is a rarity. 3) Have you tried fitting a rig into a modern car these days? 😠 4) HF is more attractive than V/UHF. Last wekend I drove 180 miles to a family get-together and put calls through about a dozen repeaters with only two contacts, both from people I knew locally. Whether the others didn't want to talk to a strange callsign elsewhere or there wasn't anybody listening, but there was more activity on 2m simplex than on any of the boxes.
Growing up in the Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin Area, we enjoyed many repeaters, as well as a multitude of sources for radio & electronics. Many of those are gone today, as well as the periodicals that brought us into the hobby. Places like Radio Shack were a viable source for the budding Radio Amateur, Scanner Enthusiast, & Shortwave Listener. They were also a place for the casual to serious electronics tinkerers. While I'd be the first to admit Radio Shack of the later years was not that of my youth, but they still filled a niche, that no other retailer has come close to replacing. There were of course the local C.B. Radio & Scanner Shops that also ‘played’ into the hobby, but those are long gone as well. They also served as a gathering-point, for member of the local radio community. Stories shared over a cup of coffee. Interesting & creative solutions for projects were discussed. I learned a lot, just by listening to many of those conversations. As for the periodicals, gone are the likes of Radio Electronics, Popular Electronics, Electronics Now, Popular Communications, C.Q. VHF, 73 Magazine, Monitoring Times, The World Scanner Report, etc.... I realize there are a few online journals out there, but once again, none of them come close to what was once covered in the aforementioned magazines & newsletters. The interest in radio, electronics, & project building is shifting, and I don’t know where this leaves many of us. With over +21 years in the Communications & Telecommunications Industry, I really begin to wonder what the next chapter will bring.
There is an app for that... we may not have the Radio shops and that is sad, miss it. Meetup is an app where you can just get a group together... You could help so much teaching the young .... You do pose an interesting question... "next Chapter" though guys like you that made it happen are going to have to show the youth how to make it happen... if we don't no one will... back to Campbell soup cans.
Okay, let’s consider the positives of ham radio. Connection, common interest, etc. I use analog, DMR, & EchoLink. I’m willing to talk w/anyone. 73, all
We have an analog country wide 70cm repeater and it is busy as can be. Good info and from your occasional a-h*ole it is a great place to be. Multiple daily talk groups and in the weekends you can still find someone late at night. Getting more people back to even just monitoring analog would increase the contacts I think. And of course building bigger networks if possible. Great video and have an awesome day!
I've been off bc no one else is on. My son is wanting to get into ham.. so I'm going to get him on and live vicariously through him.. see if we can kickstart our area action.
Another issue, which I think applies in my area is that each of the local clubs have their own simplex nets. They need to get together on the repeaters and have a region wide, all club duplex net
I call on my M6(foundation) callsign and mostly get nothing in return, I find the same few ppl on for awhile until they get fed up with little activity and move onto DMR, DStar or whatever. It's a shame as my local repeater has such a good footprint. More listeners than talkers. I keep calling thou!
Used to have a good time talking on my hand held through the big repeater in orlando and via the 6 meter setup they had best long distance “skip” when conditions were good for weeks at a time ..now just too many don’t care and i think they are missing a great hobby
I've been licensed for a number of years now, even worked my way up to the Amateur Extra license. But I haven't been on the air in years because I'm just too damn busy with life, work, other hobbies, and decompressing in between. Plus the added issue here in California it's now illegal to operate the mic/PTT while driving and using the mobile radio (while exempting government employees). I find amateur radio has two major problems that is habitually and willfully overlooked: Poor outdated interface system, especially for HT's; and hardware fixed modes! Every time I've been too busy for a little while to use the radio, I forgot how to access and use the menus and features, ESPECIALLY for HT's! And when I want to get back into it again I have to spend time reading the damn instructions all over again! After that happened a few times you just don't want to bother anymore. Ham Radios need to be brought up to date with intuitive touch screen interfaces that doesn't require to read a manual, especially HT's. The modes can no longer be fixed in the hardware! Modes need to be open source and easily downloaded like phone apps. Once those too grossly outdated things are corrected in ham radio equipment, then the simple fact of being user friendly and intuitive will automatically draw more participation into the hobby. Otherwise it'll just continue to circle the drain. The first ham radio manufacturer that dose this will dominate the market for at least a decade! The problem is that the current manufacturer's designers and engineers are from a technological eara of three decades ago and are out of the current technology loop. They are creating great quality, but designed for users of decades ago, not for today's generations! Well, that's my two cents anyway.
I think that just proves how redundant ham is. If you update a radio set like you suggested then you get a cell phone. I think bringing it to 21st century is pointless. Most people realised that and got onto instagram whatsapp etc etc. And why would you need a license for it. I do believe it's worth fostering old technology but it only fits a narrow context, e.g. prepper, disaster suppprt, competition etc. And i think clubs and ham communities have dropped the ball on fostering that. I the key is to make analog ham relevant and cool, if that's even possible.
@@colonelsheppard79 The key would be what I already pointed out because HAM has no competition in the realm of no infrastructure being required, unlike like cell phones.
I was mic shy for a long time, and this year got on HF and have just been having the best time. For some reason, I also have a case of VHF/UHF mic shyness. I've experienced and heard people rudely correcting others which doesn't help. But for the most part the people I hear are just having a friendly chat. I just ordered a dual band rig for the car. I'm one of the first people to complain about nobody on the repeater, but I never throw my call out. The car rig is (hopefully) the kick in the pants to change that. I'm going to make it a point to throw my call out when I'm driving. I'd like to get more people using 146.52 as well.
About 1975 minneapolis/st.paul minnesota. We hams that were not criminals decided to form the Twin City Repeater Club(we followed ARRL guidelines). there were nothing but problems with criminals using ham radio for profit(pay money to private individual to use repeater and auto patch.) all this sanctioned by local ARRL division director. well we got it done anyway and had a lot of traffic(before cellphones and internet). we were on 146.31-146.91 open access to repeater and auto patch. It was a useful endeavor that got a lot of use and helped a lot of people. now i live in Denver. lots of repeaters. I don't even monitor anymore. go to ham radio coffee clutch twice a week and use hf mobile, 2 meter mobil, 900 p25, for the little talking done. cell phones and internet have taken over for most communications. I turn on a cb once a month but there is almost nothing there either. Now that we are linked electronically to the entire world we have little to say.
Very good topic of conversation. "Conversation" is the operative word here. Just ham it up whenever possible. Search for local nets and make a point of participating. Show some enthusiasm and put on your best ham voice. Sound happy to be on the air. Write down the names and call signs of other hams so you can say to them that "hey, didn`t I hear you last week on such and such net?" You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
As my thoughts, smartphones came out with internet allowing us not to be bogged down to a home computer, public service agencies went digital, hams introduced to DMR. I did remember when repeaters were strong in the 90's. In 2012 , I switched to DMR, taken a break so now in 2019, most bands are kinda quiet here in Denver, major agencies went encrypted.
I give up on the use of repeaters due to the Hams that wanted to control how much you use the Repeaters . We would go on to a repeater system here in Central cal and always get someone who says hey you know you guys are transmitting all over our area , yea so ? Then we started using Simplex two meters and low and behold there are people out there on the Simplex Fregs having fun.. I am now building a better base antenna and getting a Linear amp at about 200 watts and using SSB for our fun.. Its very fun and the repeaters are loosing out because they simply do not want people to rag chew on them.. So to heck with them.. I am always on 156.520 and people stop by rather often on this frequency in our area . Joe KM6MNS
I received my license 31 years ago. I wanted my license to talk local on 2 meter, discuss gear and meet people with similar interest. I talked for the first 5 years then got fed up with the downright mean people telling me when I could talk and for how long. Since then I have just listened
I decided recently to make more of an effort this year to get more involved in ham radio and I've found that the repeaters around me here in Eastern MA seem to be more active now than 4-5 years ago when when I was first licensed. I also noticed more newly licensed hams on the air lately too which is a good sign. I currently only use analog repeaters and since most if not all digital rigs can also do analog there's no reason to not put your call out on analog repeaters if digital repeaters are dead. My main thought is whatever you have use it to get on the air as much as you can and don't be afraid to be the one to start some activity.
CWB completely agree, got to get over the mike-“phobia” and get on the air. Lots of old-timers are out there to give a hand in the learning process. But they’ve got to reach out to them. 73s! KN4QME
USSConcordia H I used CHIRP and programmed the area repeaters just to listen in for now. Not much traffic on 2 meter and 70 cm so far. Although I picked up two chatting on the repeater on Friday afternoon. One was on a mobile rig.
I am still a newbie - I have only been licensed for a year. So, I have no way to compare to the past. But our local repeater seems pretty active. Someone almost always answers if you put out your call sign, and the Tuesday night net usually has around a dozen participants.
I don't mind digital, but I have no interest in brand specific digital like DSTAR. I prefer software based digital that anyone can use. I still prefer old fashioned voice comms.
I have held off on digital modes due to the incompatibility issues. Internet-based radio just doesn’t really impress me anyway. I miss the days when everyone on 2m was on FM; there’s a little more charm to some mild bacon frying or picket-fencing on a mobile signal compared to drop-outs and R2D2 noises. Oh well, I’m getting old! 73, KE8WC
Thanks for the video. It’s true even here in Australia on the three repeaters I maintain that it goes quiet at times. The only thing we can do is encourage others and hopefully, through my RUclips channel, educate users on how a repeater works and how much it takes to maintain. 73 Hayden VK7HH
It is a lot to maintain a repeater,, I own and operate two here in the eastern parts of NC and they are very much expensive and needed. Nothing like a good coverage machine going dead from lack of maintenance de ki4wqn
@@ke4tud Even more so with a simulcast system like the one I maintain! So many different parts to the system. I'm hoping to do a video on it shortly. 73
The biggest suprise I found when going back into amateur radio (1/19/24) was all the silent repeaters, there used to be a couple of dozen I could make use of here, and now i find that 2 are somewhat active and the rest still there and seemingly functional but unused..so sad.
Great video Michael! Just sharing a few thoughts I have here.....Being new to the ham radio airwaves this was a concern I had while getting into it. There are so many GREAT radios out there now! So many ways to to use them from APRS, Fusion, Wies-X, D-Strar....and the list goes on. I settled on the Yaesu FTM-400XDR. Very popular radio with it being backordered at a lot of suppliers. Some guys are buying their 3rd radio to use in different vehicles. Looked like a rig I could grow into. I also plan on using it for when the wifey and I hit the road RVing and camping. Sure wish there was a Wires-X repeater I could access here in the NorthWoods of Wisconsin. It would open up many opportunities to use the radio and talk when the repeaters are quiet. Very thankful for a couple of 2m nets i get on each week.
About 40 years ago I was on 2 m off and on. I found the majority of folks using the Repeaters were cliquish. It turned me off. I am glad that they worked their way into oblivion.
Some good ideas why there is less communications on the repeaters but you left out one. In the mid 1980's I became a ham. A couple guys I knew built and installed a repeater. They tinkered with it for about 10 years adding control of the repeater from a Commodore 64C computer and software specifically written for that purpose. That had HF capability, rotator control, and control of the HF rig through touch tones, DTMF, on the repeater. Add to that there was a group of us that were friends and worked day jobs, some that had to drive into Cleveland. The drive in took about an hour. Rather than listen to the broadcast radio our group would rag chew on the repeater. As each person arrived at work they would drop off the repeater. We would pickup the rag chew on the trip home. A lot of us belong to the same radio club and had activities in the evening. We rag chewed a lot while traveling to and from places around town. I retired in 1993. Many of those that were in the repeater group to rag chew have since retried as well. Some of us get together for a new club's activities but beyond that we are on the radio less often due less travel in our vehicles.
There are two kinds of hams, operators and experimenters. Operators want to communicate by what technology is available and as a low cost as possible. If an IPhone and online game do it, fine. The experimenters goal is to learn, modify, improve the state of the art and make it low cost. What some call hacking! The same hams who came up with Autopatch, Packet, Amsat, Homebrew Computing and such also used it as a proof of concept for commercial systems. As a result we now have more modes than we know what to do with? Its not just ham radio, its the entire electronics industry that has gone from small nitch markets to a massive global industry.
Kinda simple, the old dudes on repeters scares new people away by their horrible attitudes. They think they own the repeters and tells new people to shut up
I agree with your feelings about what has happened to repeaters. Starting back in the very early 60's and through the early 80's I had an open 2-Meter repeater at a high profile site above Los Angeles that did a pretty good job of covering a lot of Southern California. It was originally an AM repeater, and later converted over to FM This is what I wrote about it on www.wa6tdd.com What was WA6TDD? The WA6TDD repeater, like the K6MYK repeater, was a social gathering place. A place where Amateur Radio operators would regularly gather and talk about a myriad of things, sometimes even Ham Radio stuff. It was like a bunch of friends sitting around the table at the local eatery, where good conversation would start out talking about one thing and drift to… whatever. There was activity on the repeater almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week. WA6TDD had a large following. Not just Hams, but non-Hams who listened with scanners or whatever else they could get hold of that would tune to 146.4 MHz. WA6TDD had its own personality, a personality that was a product of its combined users. It was good company and a good place to be. Burt, K6OQK
I moved to Florida (Orlando)from Puerto Rico, I had hams who answered my calls, as long as they were also hispanics. I moved to Lakeland, and to be honest, I had no luck trying to communicate with the locals. So much so that I quit using my 2m Icom HandyTalkie. I am considering installing a cat whiskers antenna for 10 meters, have not worked that frequency in a long time. Will let you know how I do. Thanks for your very informative videos, I enjoy them. Keep the good work going. How about a video on power supplies?
Gilberto E Figueroa - There’s a lot of activity on the WC4PEM repeater system. I can easily hit the 2M repeater from Palm Bay, which is on 146.985. There’s also 2 or 3 repeaters linked on 440.
My experience as a HAM operator licensed in the 90's and now returning after 25 years, has to do with the repeater owners and trustees. Many are clubs and the clubs are hemmorraging members. Most are just a bunch of grumpy old men (I`m 67 so I guess i qualify,) who sit around a gripe if the club should increase its dues or not, or sending membets who are not current threatening letters. I just resigned as VP of our local group because I suggested setting up an echolink node to carry some of the popular conference servers and nets-traffic begets traffic. They also disted my request to spend $150 on a presentation quality TV for RUclips and Skype presentations (we are sitting on a $12,000 balance in our club account, and using a crappy 15 year old screen projector which is a hassle to operate). Our website and social media presence has content from 2017. Despite my efforts, the only feedback I got was that I was trying to turn us into a digital radio club. Who needs that kind of nonsense when i can use a hotspot, and talk locally or all around the world without having to put up with club/repeater owner politics?
I heard a qso get shooed off a repeater, and they were discussing the Attack on Pearl Harbor. They left peacefully, but it is like a open, and monitored phone line. 20 years ago, they were like mild hf pileups, and the fun repeaters had quick timeout timers, no longwinds, and the one person not quite making the trip. There are still nets on some repeaters, and a few simplex ones.
Peer pressure. Both directions. Smart phones: Don't need a license, nearly unlimited communication. Coverage gets better all the time. Ham: Need a license. Compared to a smart phone, why bother? Ham snobs push noobs away. Try to get on air and immediately get Karen-ed out for not doing something exactly right. Or, like others have mentioned, no answer to CQ. I listen in on occasion. The only place I've seen/heard ham promoted in a friendly manner is on freakin' youtube! I've had General RTO for many years, and I wish it applied to ham and GMRS. I'm studying for the license, and have a CCR (Cheap Chinese Radio). I intend to use it for comm in the boonies. That's in addition to GMRS and FRS. With the price of these things, one can afford to do all of it.
I have had license for year and a half, gave up trying to get someone to talk. If they don't know you they don't talk! There are meetings to meet people but you should not have to go to a meeting!
It's not the falt of the mode!....40 years ago hams had radio in common, today no...i don't use the local repeaters, nothing to talk to them about..they like to discus there heath problems "I don't have" so I put up a DMR repeater...and go out of town!
SDR is starting to open up air waves from 1kz to 200 MHz. A person with just a few bucks can set up system that can send and receive and its getting better all the time. I like sitting out in the desert while I'm camping with a laptop and an antenna and just mess around. Its not dead its in transition.
Here's an idea. Have ham nets where a new ham jointly operates the net as a guest with net control. Rotate the guest every net cycle, this way a voice is in the air, the "old timers" get to say hello. There's a great GMRS net that I participate in where a new recipe is read over the air every week. The guys seem to love it. It wouldn't violate FCC rules, might even get the better half interested. And if there's no newbies, use some of the other guys.
When they went from 25khz to 12.5 on fm just when the decline was starting , that gave double the empty channels , then came Dstar , that meant more cash , for what ? Of course some were left behind . mobile phones and www = more decline . It's hard to see how this can be reversed , your building bridges is a good idea , however this is a very uphill job . My solution is very radical , turn the phrase "use it or lose it" on it's head . We need to lose many bands , so we are concentrated in ever smaller and smaller space , no doubt this will get many of us on our high horse , which in turn will reactivate discussion . Also the push to increase numbers / modes / making Amateur radio ever more easy and accessible has not worked , we need to go in the other direction .. Make Amateur radio exclusive and something to aspire to again . Working hard to get access to HF with cw was hours of hard work for most of us and most of us was proud of all our hard work ,resulting in wanting to be part of a great slightly exclusive hobby again . My attempt to reverse the dumbing-down of ham radio . I'm sure my solution will not be popular .
The word that comes to mind is “consolidation”. As a new ham I’m not knowledgeable on the repeater use in various regional areas across the USA. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some areas are very active and can support 4+ repeaters; others 2 or less. Is there a way to do selective consolidation? A rhetorical question for the moment. I’m at the stage of knowing that I need to upgrade from my Baofeng UV5R which was the unit that got me into the hobby. I’m retired with adequate financial resources and wonder what is the utility of spending up to $1,500 to set a multi-band ham shack? This question for some may become a barrier to entry to the hobby. Will be interesting to see if innovation in radio electronics will lower costs enough to attract more people demanding more equipment which will lower the costs more. 🤔 Building bridges. Now there’s a topic that that could take eons to discuss. Getting out of own silos - that may be a cultural issue to tackle. My rambling is done. 73, KE0VFT
@@southjersey10 Thanks for your input Mark , i think if we are all honest the decline in ham radio has been a long time in the making , 30 years or more . I think we can only do our best to keep going in this ever changing world . When i say make ham exclusive again , i don't mean top of the range gear , i have an Icom 703 and a 10 + year old Kenwood ts 480 hx as my only hf rig's i have a icom d-star handy talky which i never use , i live in remote area . So my thinking is making the hobby more accessible to the youth and let's face it making it easy to get your ticket has not invigorated the hobby like some first thought . It's just a fact the world has moved on since the 60's when ham was something exclusive and something to aspire to . Maybe it's much better where you are , here in UK Scotland ham is seen by many as CB . Of course the new modes makes us want to go out and buy new gear , but i'm not sure that really helps our hobby , you can get on air with wire and very old but good rig's for next to nothing and have as much ,if not more fun . I better shut up now or i'll go into rant mode . Thanks again for your input Mark . 73 MM0UDI .
Tower site owners refusing to allow locals groups or clubs access to replace or install antenna systems is a huge issue in the Houston area. Along with the digital/non-digital split problem, there are a few large active analog systems that I tend to avoid because of the discussion content. Topics people openly broach on the radio are hard enough to discuss civilly in person, and I'm just not interested in that.
I was only made two contacts on 70cm since I got my license in January 2020. 2 meter is pretty active. Simplex is much more fun, but still sad that it’s not used as much.
I am strictly analog, no desire or funds for gathering tools for any digital means of communications. The question "What do I need to get on (digital mode)?" keeps coming back with the need to buy, buy buy. I am fixed income HAM - meaning 1 social security check on a monthly basis, no more - no less, with many bills going out in a months time. The need to buy and up grade equipment with software and "firmware" is too costly. Wealthy hams will never comprehend how this is possible.
The number one reason for decline is elitist gatekeepers. There is a lack of encouragement in this hobby and way to many people act like your invading their personal playground.
These are the narcissists. They wont tolerate any idea, or good or bad feeling, or any other thing that hasn't originated from them. They will punish people for any outward spoken word that does not conform to their thinking. Repeat the company line or get out. RUclips search "covert narcissist".
This will encourage the FCC to see these "quiet bands" as lucrative real estate to sell to the highest bidder...look at the situation in Region I, everyone is at risk for losing bandwidth because of the French proposal...I definitely agree that these narcissists are putting the hobby at risk...in the future, as bits of bandwidth are sold, they will be the first to ask why and the first to blame everyone else...such is the nature of a narcissistic personality...
@@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938 Exactly correct. The danger is not so much them, but the people who are so easily swayed to believe them. There needs to be some mechanism whereby the voting members are alerted to the negative performance of the Narc before they get their claws in.
Wish I had an answer...🤷♂️ for me most of my experience was commercial TV and when I worked as a medic vhf/uhf commercial radio for EMS communication...I've only recently started dabbling in the ham side and I don't want to see a cool hobby disappear because of a few jerks...we should be evangelizing instead...I don't know though...I am just an FNG as we used to call them in EMS :-D
@@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938 Narcs learned these techniques for survival when they were four years old, and then honed their manipulations their entire life - don't think for a second it will be easy. The best way I have seen so far, is to publicly expose and promote their failures, and also directly state to them in the company of others that we know they are a sham and their actions are all fake - this will cause them a massive galling and near irretrievable amounts of embarrassment and horror, usually so much so that they will go to ground and never come out again - I have been very successful with this approach. The Narc knows at a guttural level that their life is all a fake put-on, and any publicly made revealings of this, backed up by facts to support it will result in a severe meltdown. Disclaimier: Use with extreme caution - may result in death, probably yours.
Great video. Locally we have the same problem and if you are not a part of the "group", people are not very friendly.
Yes, that is a problem and we need to break that bad habit.
Yep. Problem everywhere. When I got into ham radio it was fun. I moved into a town and the local group was very unfriendly and had attitude we don't want you. They changed their attitude when they found out I was over a communications system for public safety in the county and I encrypted everything from dog catcher to public works, police fire ems. They tried to pull the ares crap and how they should have access for emergency aide comms. Nope. Sorry. AES and ain't looking back. All the users love it and stops the streaming online to rubber necks and Facebook okay by play posts.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Not going to say what clubs I went to, But the regional ARRL guy was giving a talk about how to engage the new hams. I was impressed with the ARRL speaker, and the plan that was presented. Its a great idea. No one spoke to me... The other guys tried to get others to come over and introduce themselves, nope... Its a great plan, cept hams ive seen seem to be a lot like me, VERY introverted, so maybe too bold of a plan? Just the two older guys that picked me up talked to me. If an IT person comes to a club meeting, and throws around worlds like Linux, GNURadio, and SDR transceivers, and hes really excited about it... make sure you make him feel welcome. If they know Linux, they prob don't have many friends :P
@@lifeisamatrix5960 😆 it's called armchair warrior syndrome. We have a whole bunch of them in our area club. They love to scold, bully and humiliate. Its not only impervious to the ham frequencies, gmrs is full of them as well, and most of them are also ham operator's.
same thing here in my locale
I've been a ham since the early 90's. I was also career military, so I moved around a LOT. Different areas of the country are far more active than others on local repeaters. Surprisingly, Southern CA is one of the quietest areas I've been in. I'd scan and call for two hours daily during commutes and rarely get a response. The "regulars" were VERY cliquish and would rarely respond to anyone but their circle of friends. Very discouraging.
isnt cliquishness a cultural quality of californians? I've been on the receiving end of many california eye rolls
I remember the two local repeaters being fairly busy in the early 80s. I think everyone having a cell phone is part of it. I never really got into 75 m because it’s so many little groups that talk everyday. I have never worked any dx on 75. I never hear anyone call CQ. 40 meter cw or phone is my favorite.
@@techguy9023 Agree on 40m. There's always something going on there.
I know guys back in the day would clear off the repeater from a QSO and say "73, whatever call sign, listening." The some other station would come on and announce their call and the first station never answer. That was in the 70's
Agreed. I live in los angeles area. I am trying to CQ on 146.520 in San Fernando Valley but so far no luck. I occasionally pick up one traffic or two from one repeater near me during the day. Probably I will get more activity during those net events or newbie event but we will see about that. KN6HDK.
I noticed that 2m FM started to go downhill when ALL FM repeaters went PL all the time.
This meant that if they were not already familiar with the repeater, they couldn't make use of it.
This could have been remedied with the use of a particular PL tone not to access the repeater, but rather to have the repeater report the PL tone to access the repeater.
Then DMR hit the scene. Amateur Radio QSOs were now unable to be heard nor joined by hams that didn't have hundreds of dollars to buy a new radio just to do the same thing.
Finally, there's the cold shoulder. My nephew earned his license, only to be bullied off the air by hostile hams.
EDIT: My nephew got his Extra, enjoying HF now.
For a few years, we had a voice announcement stating the pl frequency and have managed to get all the repeaters in our area to use the same tone.
When I was a kid, the club had a repeater. Then they put a PL on it, my Elmer hated it. He stopped working on the repeater, they thought he want being a team player. Can't do stuff that goes against your fiber. In the mid 90's not everyone's radio was PL capable. The activity dropped. Moved out of the states and now that I been back it feels like hams are not as nice as I remember. The city that I live, there are a lot of repeaters. Is Bob on repeater 1 or 30?
146.850 with no pl in the twin cities is active almost 24/7. Even well into 9:00 PM it is active.
There are some assumptions baked into this video. 1. That there are repeaters that are more popular, and some that are not in any particular area. or 2. That there is a large number of active people out there - but they are all doing something else. --- I have not seen evidence that either of these are true. I was once part of a large and thriving hobby that died out, and as it took its last breaths we made assumptions like this for a long time as well. We were wrong. There are very few talking -and- there are very few listening. There was one tiny net I used to do on my drive to work - after 3-6 months of showing up and politely following the proper sequence every morning they were still getting my callsign and name wrong. Though they knew the "regulars" by heart. I didn't have multiple doctor's appointments to announce - descriptions of my current ailments - and had to get to work each day. I guess I didn't fit in.
I recently passed my technician and general in the last month. I purposely bought a Yaesu FT 70 to hit the repeaters in the area. I also put together an antenna for two meter and 70 cm use. I mostly monitor the repeaters on my old sport cat and they are very quiet. Granted I don’t have the best reception in my forest I need to get through. Unfortunately not once has anybody acknowledge my presence. I am starting to get concerned about whether my settings are correct, however I do get a CW response. I was going to hold off going to HF but I am now moving in that direction.
I just passed my Tech and General and eagerly checked for my call sign. After a week or so I finally had it and found a repeater the next day. 420’ up in the OBX, NC area. Lots of activity on 2M analog... initially random and then clicky friends. After watching a few videos on making initial calls I put my call sign out and got a response almost immediately. Told him it was first contact, nice call and then got another response from someone who wanted to be number two in my log. I’m very happy I had a good first experience and wish everyone could as well... makes it a lot more fun.
I have given my call on my local repeater and no answer. 60 seconds later someone else does the same and 9 or more of his buddies start talking .........
Yep, it's funny how people come out of the woodwork as soon as they hear a familiar call.
Repeater clubs can be cliqueish! Too bad
Well, this may just be a reason to go digital/DMR and get out of the confines of your local repeater(s). When you call statewide and/or nationwide, you are bound to get more responses than from your local repeater clique... I just got my first DMR radio and added the Texas statewide Brandmeister channel. I hear guys nightly, but they are all in bed by 11 PM.
Personally, that’s how I see repeaters. Either A: talking to those you already know. Or B: using it for local comms when needed (skywarn, ares).
I personally don’t throw out my call often. I’m usually only on radio during weather anyway. But I have the mindset of “if I don’t know you, I won’t answer you”. Like the other week when another HAM called out to me over EchoLink. I was at work, and busy. But was in there for a specific reason. Not to necessarily to chat.
@@alleneggemeyer8478 The thing with DMR is the older radios only being UHF kept me away for a long time. I've used DMR in the commercial world and the audio sounds like crap.
I'm from the scanning world, so only more recent radios with both bands have me more interested, and there's now more businesses on DMR to listen to.
Some guys around here want people to get on C4FM Fusion around here, but you can't use those for any commercial or public safety scanning.
Great video and questions. About 42 years ago I became a ham because I wanted to talk to family and friends(long distances) without the cost burdens of the “line” telephone services. I grew to love 2 meters
so I could chat with friends while commuting to and from work. I especially enjoyed the “safety” and convenience of having the “phone” patch system thru 2 meter repeaters as I travelled for my job a great deal. As soon as commercial cellular services became less costly and readily available; I leased a “bag” phone for the xyl-never a ham. So u can easily see the pattern. I too have had an iPhone for years; and
I chat/FaceTime with Ham buddies now. If we enter a societal period of technology disruptions- my vhf gear is “bagged” and ready.
This is a great video Michael. If I examine my own history I remember as a child in the early 60s getting together with my cousins and neighbors on a regular basis. I was the youngest with my oldest sibling 12 years older than me. We farmed, we had a lot of neighbors. We belonged to a local 4H club. We went to Church every Sunday. All of our neighbors did too. It might not have been the same church, but we went. There were some one square mile sections that had 3 large families that lived there. We are lucky to have one couple per two to three sections today. There is still some community but like me we are getting old and dying off. I checked the local zip codes for local hams and I am the only one in my zip code. The closest repeaters are at least 20 plus miles away. I should get my YSF and DMR radios hooked up to one of your 70cm and a 2m J-Poles and start using them. Although I think one of the owners of a Wires-X system was upset that I used a Wires-X repeater to hook into a local talk group from a HT when I was in that town. It was advertised as an open to all and a Wires-x YSF repeater. No ham clubs in our immediate area but there are enough licensed hams to form a club.
I think the whole division between political and even religious groups has done a lot of harm in this country and it is nothing new. It has been here since the beginning of time. Sure, we blame the latest president or congress or what the news media said for this division. It would be a better world if we all got on the radio or get together at the local coffee shop and talked about something else for change. (Our local coffee stop has been labeled as the local funeral home's holding tank) I tend to keep my mouth shut about politics and was finding the ham airwaves to void of such discussion but someone got on the radio yesterday and started yapping about politics so I just shut the radio off.
Yes It is easier to hook a hotspot up than erecting a tower and putting an antenna on it. Hams are even hooking these HS into their smartphone data hotspots and taking this setup on the road instead of using a local repeater. Sorry Michael...long comment.
I think it's important to create a welcoming environment on the repeater and its nets. Throw your callsign out there and try to respond to others if you can. Talk about more than just ham radio and be a human being. Be kind, be humble, and be willing to learn. Most of all, just have fun with it! 73!
Totally agree. Digital modes are mostly the product of commercial competition, and not in the spirit of ham radio at all. Some of the modes aren't even open, i.e. require proprietary codecs of linking. I wish new digital local repeater licenses were issued on condition of cross-mode operation.
I live in a rural area in the north USA. Yesterday our cellphone and landlines were interrupted by what I understand to be an accidental construction dig. They were down the entire day and this morning they are down again for repair. The only thing working in town is the ham radios and what system the local sheriff has up for emergencies. It makes me wonder, what will people do if something like this occurs in other towns and cities. How would people get help in an emergency situation? How would others be noticed about an emergency without the use of their cellphone.
Most of us carry insurance incase of an accident, death or fire, so why not communication insurance? Learning to use a ham radio by becoming a licensed operator is great start. Ham radio operators can assist those without radios in emergency times.
I realized after watching this video and seeing firsthand what it's like to be without phone communication and that it is up to us hams to spread the word. We should all do our part in introducing ham radio to others who just don't know it exists.
I'll bet your local sheriff has not yet implemented an encrypted trunk system. That will make amateur assistance in time of trouble largely irrelevant.
I have been a have been a Tech since 1992 in 2 states. In Ohio I was a member of a club and lots of activity on the repeater. Since 2001, I have lived in Florida. I joined a club but soon found out that most were Extra class snobs and elites who only talked to each other. They only used club repeaters for nets and emergency traffic. Rag chew was simply frowned upon. So after 3 years I dropped out and don't miss the old fuddy duddy code pushing clowns. I mostly now only make contacts on simplex. Just my 2 cents...the hobby will die off if these elitist don't change
and start being more like real people and elmers to the younger generation New to ham radio. JMHO
Bigdog 1964 , I was living in Florida during the Jeb years and thought for sure you were going to tell tails of success, Florida has some open areas that are a bit wild But i never felt more freedom in my life, Im surprised to hear that, but understandable with some arrogant retirees.
I'm a younger guy just getting into it in central Florida. I had no idea this is how things are out there.
I would have thought veteran operators would be happy to see people getting to the hobby.
I'm learning about communications not only as a hobby but also as preparation as it seems like common sense.
I hope to meet good folks out there when I get my license.
As a newly licensed HAM (one month since passing the test), I found DMR both exciting and frustrating. The fractured groups DMR-MARC, Brandmeister and the like added a level of complexity and frustration when trying to find my way - some RUclips videos were helpful and your channel became a favorite. Additionally, repeater databases seem to be out of date, limited talk groups depicted and learning to build a working codeplug was and is a challenge. I wonder how many new hams are discouraged and how many find their way through? Now add to that hotspots... incredible. I would say there is a great opportunity to simplify and unify the world of HAM. Getting accurate repeater database listings, repeater friendly owner/operators to help keep details current, a DMR source for education (one stop for all, especially the new HAMS) and promote both the analog and DMR use. I've found awesome people along the way and some useful sites - but more could be done to better promote this valuable and enjoyable "hobby". Just a perspective and initial perception from someone new - no offense to anyone intended and appreciation to all those who are trying to improve HAM (seen and those unseen) - Ken
ham
Trick: How to get a QSO on a dead repeater: Just get on and say "CQ CQ CQ This is , anyone available for a quick contact?" Invariably someone will get on and tell you that that is *NOT* the way to call CQ on a repeater. At which time you can lightly apologize and have a contact. They get to tell you something that you already knew; and you get a nice QSO. Works like a champ.
Yep. Shake the bushes and you never know what might fall out.
Love it.. think I will try that! Thanks!
😂. Perfect. I'll even try breaker breaker
@@confirmhandle There ya go! Rattle some cages :-) -- Nothing wrong with that. From time to time I also say 10-4 just to get some juices going :-)
Thanks for your view and info. At 62 Yrs Old, I first became a Ham at 16 and up until 2 years ago very active to light active up and down over the years from HF then back to VHF/UHF. Three or so years ago I gave all my equipment to a New Licensee for free. At the time I was not into HF and well just like this video, the repeaters in two different locations (Nevada and Calif) were dead almost all the time and made me feel I was the only one still in HAM. But once in a while I would find a active repeater in SoCal area
with a lot of people as I have a home in Irvine. WOW, the unwelcome treatment to people hopping on that Repeater as guests was like you stole his dog. I gave up and even let my license expire. Then a few weeks ago I was in a store in Tucson AZ and a nice guy was using his iphone as a two way radio and I ask him what he was using. He said oh, I'm a HAM talking to a friend in UK. He then told me about Network Radio with ZELLO. I downloaded and wow my eyes light up with excitement again. I re-tested last week and passed to re new my license. Still waiting for FCC update but so excited. I will be focused on Digital only. I am building a Node with PI right now and want to check out DMR, Fusion, D-star but mostly how they connect with Network Radio. There is something MAJOR MAJOR WRONG with HAM Radio when a APP two-way has over 120 Million users. I hope to be part that moves these two Functions together and use the Network Radio as a tool to excite and move newer and younger users onto the Wonderful world of HAM Radio. Let's All give part and make them welcome. 73's
So zello is now part of ham radio? I haven’t been in zello in years..
It's Franensrein radio now............................
Having watched this video and others on RUclips I have to chime in again. I was and will likely be again a C.B. radio guy. I was told of course they are a trashy bunch and the Ham people are way better blah blah blah. Well I have tried over and over to be a Ham operator. I went so far as to upgrade to a General class. I have to say the H.F. group is far more welcoming to new hams than anything I have found on F.M. I work for Amazon and at times travel all over. I thought it would be interesting to bring my HT with me and see if the good old boys club was everywhere or just around my home. I found unfortunately that people in Ohio, Florida, and several other states had the same problem. I would try to strike up a QSO with others that I had been listening to on the radio and most times I was ignored. I have had a few with a few good folks but mostly you're not welcome. I've read many that have defended themselves saying oh I always talk to the new people but do you? Really?
Well that was interesting information. First, I'm not an amateur radio operator. I got into CB radio at a very young age (70s). Loved it. Over the years I had towers and beams and ok gear. I started to get into Morse code in the early 90s, but life took me down a different path. For the last 25 years, it's been commercial VHF UHF. Occasionally CB on the highway. All my CB radio stuff was packed up and dismantled. Enter the virus. Well, I bumped into some old CBers at a garage sale. They got me interested in radios again. Turns out that I had been freebanding for years. Dug out an old CB radio and hooked it up to a magnet mount antenna. One morning skip was actually rolling. I hear a station that could be local. I call CQ. He answers and he's in Ohio. I'm in western Canada. First contact in 25 years. This got me thinking about amateur radio for more than one reason. I'm currently studying on my own and will write the exam next week. Why didn't I do this sooner?? Well, it's the amateur snobbery. I've dealt with ares on a professional level. Honestly, they get in the way of business. They're always right there to tell you everything that you're doing wrong. They're here on RUclips scolding someone for something. If you ever mention CB radio around them, they cringe and have a comment or three. Not exactly a group I want to belong to. If they're concerned about the lack of operators and dwindling mumbers, it's because they're doing wrong. They drive people away. If the goal is to kill the hobby, they're doing a great job. Keep it up. I'm getting my license for my own reasons and quite honestly, I have no time for the snobs that think that they're so enlightened and above others. Remember this most important thing in amateur radio. The word "AMATEUR". You're freaking AMATEURS. Get over yourselves and stop belittling non amateur operators. You should be mentoring and encouraging. Just my take on it after 45 years. In 1982 I talked to Germany on a 3 element beam, a 4 watt am radio and have the QSL card to prove it. I didn't need no stinking ham. Also, CB seems to be picking up again. So why isn't amateur radio??
I'm just getting started working on my Technician license. There is indeed only silence in my local area.
Hoping to learn more, upgrade equipment, and get on the air. I don't yet know the allure of digital,
but I'll be using analog exclusively out the gate.
two comments: Let's try to be more active about calingl back when someone throws out their call on UHF/VHF, even if it's not a friend of ours. Also, let's always keep in mind that being prepared for emergency, grid-down situations is an important aspect of ham radio. That is to say, we need to stay in practice of communicating with each other using RADIOS rather than cell phones and the internet.
+1
My local area runs a 2m simplex net weekly to practice radio to radio communication. It also gives an opportunity to test equipment and stations. Anyone that can hear one of the four net controls or anyone that can reach anyone that can reach a ncs is welcomed. Yes, we practice relays. This is not a prepper group, this is the ham community.
I was monitoring my repeater this week when someone asked for a signal report and I answered him even though his didn't sound legitimate, after three calls I never heard from him.
I was just thinking about this. Haven't had my license long and don't talk much but I don't hear anyone on any of the repeaters in this area.
Michael, I really appreciate your comments on this. I'm a brand new ham licensee, and I've had my first radio sitting and scanning all of the local repeaters, hoping to get an idea of what's out there. I've heard nothing on FM, and I don't even know which digital network I'm hearing when those come up. It's kind of disheartening to see all the intro videos saying to watch the repeaters and learn what's out there, when it's darn near impenetrable for me. Your comments at least help me with perspective, and give me some ideas what to do. Thanks!
Great video. Thanks. Yes, I've complained about the lack of traffic on local repeaters. I approached the historical and geopolitical background you gave. Awesome!
I tried 2m for a while a couple years ago, but it wasn't fun. Just some local yokels and it wasn't very challenging. So I learned CW and now I do dozens of QSOs per week all over the country. I am loving it!
Amateur radio has a lot of different aspects to it, I'm glad you found a part that's interesting and challenging to you.
Subdivision HOA restrictions (CC&R's) are a major factor. In much of the western US, particularly Arizona, 96% of residential subdivisions created in the past 35 years have extremely prohibitive antenna restrictions. This has effectively created a roadblock for anyone wanting to use anything requiring an antenna.
A bill was introduced in Congress to address this and it didn't make it past committee.
Something like that could be solved, just put an antenna in the attic, Many hams where I live have theirs setup just like that. And they are very active.
Yup, ham is missing what c.b -11 meter enjoyed, a nice universal platform. I am back on c.b , the dual bander is down the road.
funny that , Im looking for a few 1021 ssb handhelds for when the cell goes down around here ,,,, (Australia has bad mobile network )
During the 80s, I lived in south Louisiana, and CB Activity was very hot. We had tons on the air, We had a get together at a local park, and we noticed extra people, we did not know. We got together lots like at Pizza Hut, never saw them. We found out, they were listeners, they had CB radios setup at their house and just enjoyed listening to all of us. They could match our voice to our CB handle. It was pretty cool.
mike girdwood - I’ve been revisiting CB as well. But it’s degenerated so badly since it’s unregulated. “MF” this and “MF” that with every other over powered breath. 10 and 6 meters is a lot of fun when it’s open. Better behavior.
Here in Columbus Ohio it's normally crickets on the repeaters. Great video. It is interesting to see that it's not just where I live.
I love what you are doing for amateur radio. I cannot believe how much I enjoy your topics. I just renewed my license after 10 years of getting my Extra. I havent been on the radio or even turned them on in 5 years and yet all of a sudden I am back. You are part of that reason. Thank you for answering the questions I am wondering about and talking about topics I have thought about constantly. I have very high hopes for this group of amateurs that I am going to be with for field day. I never met these guys before and I think it might be what I am looking for.
That's great to hear and I'm glad to have been an inspiration. Have fun at Field Day, it's my favorite ham radio event.
Great video. I remember when I could throw out my call on a 2M repeater and get a quick response or I could leave a 2M rig on and eventually hear someone looking for a QSO. Those were great days, a couple of us would start chatting and then others would join in for a fun roundtable. Not so much these days. I haven't fired up a 2M or 70cm rig in quite a long time since there's nobody out there. We may eventually lose some of the bands if we don't start using them again.
I remember those days as well. Sadly long gone in a lot of areas! I think this has happened for several reasons.
1)cell phones becoming MUCH cheaper
2)rude/poor behaviour on the bands has scared off the real hams
3)rise of social media
4)HOA and similar rules on home antennas
5)unfriendly clubs
6)unfriendly hams on air that don't talk to "outsiders"
These are trends that aren't going to end anytime soon, sadly. I was very active years ago. But I don't bother turning on HF, and while I have a dual bander(with DMR) on 24/7, I rarely hear anything now! That's with about 60 hams within earshot!
Had a sorry experience on 2m some years ago. Someone was passing through from the next county over. She was talking to someone from her hometown. They cleared, so I got on to say hello. She said "I don't talk to people on the radio that I haven't met in person FIRST!". Really? I just said "ok, hi, by!" and cleared the frequency! And I thought we hams were friendly folk! Guess not anymore.
Have had similar experiences on HF as well! For every friendly person I meet, there are a couple that just have to be idiots! We also have a local club that doesn't do much, also has some rather unfriendly members. That doesn't help the cause either!
But it also depends on where you are! Some places have MUCH more activity AND more friendly folk than others. But that too changes! Used to live in another area that was full of activity. Now, not so much sadly. The hobby/service IS dying, a very slow death I'd say.
Just some thoughts and observations. Your mileage may very! 73 de kd7cjo
Here, in Brazil, is the same... repeaters are very quiet ! In my city there are 2 Rpts, one is connected with internet (EchoLink) but nowadays it is quiet, unfortunately! 73, PY2USA
I will say that we are lucky in the Austin and San Antonio area to have a welcoming group of people.
They are all on simplex I think? When my group of 20 hams tried to put up our own machine that would be state of the art digital the coordinators said there were no frequencies available.
That’s not uncommon in urban areas, especially for VHF repeaters. There are a limited number of repeater channels available
face it … repeaters are boring. At first they are fun, but after awhile talking to the same people about the same things gets old.
The man has a point! After all, how fun is it to carry around a Shack on a crack and talk the same people you could talk to with a cell phone.
I'll admit, when I first got licensed at 12 years old, I scraped together a lot of pennies to buy my first HT. However, 30 years later, I find it boring to talk to anyone stateside on HF and will include Stateside contesting, which is only slightly more entertaining than watching the grass grow.
The only other mode more boring then repeater operation, would have to be FT-8. However, I would certainly not want to "balkanize" any of y'all out there!
Totally agree!
So what is something interesting?
@@galax574 several people near me monitor simplex frequencies and actually answer calls.
Around here the repeaters are used for specific purposes... skywarn nets, club nets, etc. but the rag chewing typically occurs on a set of repeaters that are linked together.
Yes i am a HF from 65 years ago. Tried 2 mtr and 6 mtr. Talking 20 miles away dies not interest me. Grew up in a none cell phone time. Communicating to some body around the other part of the world was fascinating at that time. Learn my CW learn transmitter circuitry and then HF communication only and that's probably the way I'll die. I have nothing against the two meters just not fascinating me talkin around the block
I have been a Ham since 1992 I have gone an echo link and found no one on with this going on Ham radio will die and it's a shame. Kb2nzo. 73s
I agree about the fragmentation, internet, and cell phones. Where I live in the SF Bay Area we do have P25, DMR, D-Star, Fusion on 6 meter, 2 meters, 220, UHF, 900 mhz, and 1.2 GHz. Usually when I hear people talking to one another it is some type of pre-arranged chat between friends or a group. Rarely do I hear someone just call out on the local repeater and talk to some, as yet, unknown person. And here all the repeater pairs are filled. We have so many repeaters and so little use. I am very concerned that we will continue to lose our bands. I also agree with one of the comments that some hams will chase off new hams. New hams need to be encouraged, not the opposite. Let's hope ham radio can survive in terms of lack of use and that we don't lose our bands to any of the entities that would take our bands in a hot minute.
Great video, here in Australia we have a group of linked 70cm FM repeaters that is connected to IRLP Reflector 9503 from memory and linking these repeaters over vast areas has certainly increased usage with the repeaters busy most of the day and into the evening.
The common denominator here is "Conversation! all hams love to talk! that's one reason we became amateurs to begin with. so go where you can talk and the bands that you like to do it on and just call CQ! someone will pick you up. Just sitting around listening is not going to do it, and fearing being ignored. Call CQ! you will not be ignored!. also there has been a serious lack of "Elmers!!" take a newbie under your wing and help in any way you are capable of. You don't have to be and engineer to help someone. pass along what knowledge you do have and he/she will get the rest elsewhere. All too often I see and hear Newcomers say no one helps them. So Help them!.
I think it has to do something with ... 1 that the youth dont want study so much electronics just to get on the bands. They have a phone with internet. 2 Licensed hams are on dmr internet hotspots. 3 too much sk's . 4 Not everybody can have antennas on there roof or a 100 foot tower. 5 Cost of a renting a space in a big commercial tv tower cost lots of money in EU. The electricity cost for a repeater, and internet are also €€€ . Those are the reasons i can think up ride now for my area in Europe. Voip kills most repeaters. And Icom prices too.
I think the decline is simpler than just Analog vs (DStar | DMR | P25 | System Fusion). The decline began when the need for subaudible tones began (owing to leaky cable TV systems).
That made it difficult for people to get on repeaters when they travel, because they have to program in both the frequency and the subaudible tone.
I believe this is why GMRS is gained by steam. Granted, still have sub audible tones, but channels make it simpler.
Not been active for years but still listen. Radio is dying due to many factors but mainly it's too expensive for a new hobbyist. Repeaters are easily plagued by the idiot factor and rarely used for mobile use. Most frequencies are split into so many little parts its ridiculous as most modes are obsolete now due to pc and mobile phones. I'm from the UK and I do listen throughout the frequencies from time to time but hear very few people now.
Me thinks there are really two reasons why: The first being way back, hams were SUPER friendly, always welcoming, your 'family' attitude. I was always amazed how well fellow hams treated each other. Today people in general are just more rude, and to themselves. Not a lot of people are going to want to be part of that. The second is availability. As you mentioned way back, you'd turn on the radio and a ton of people were right there... today well not going to say there aren't still some pockets of high use, but nothing along the lines of before, so people often turn the rig on put out a few calls , other heard they eventually move on... just my silly two cents. Lots of reasons but I felt those were prob biggest two.
The patent protected developers, System Fusion and D-Star need to add the open source mode DMR to their radios to allow a common system to make initial contact and then operators can move the contact to the manufactures proprietary mode if so equipped. Simple and no cost solution.
No one (other than an anecdotal case here and there) under the age of 45 has any interest in AM or FM radio or cable TV, let alone the crackling “void’ that is SW, CB, ham, etc. All these have been supplanted by internet video. As many radio junkies recall fondly and with a chuckle the dialing up of AM stations 700 miles away on a transistor radio in their bedrooms, today’s young and middle age will recall fondly and with a chuckle spooling up “bingeTV” on Hulu and watching it all weekend while texting chat to their Discord group. There is absolutely no way to convince young and middle aged to invest in radio equipment, especially Ham bands, so they can listen to discussions about antennas and what someone had for dinner 600 miles away; they already have virtual “friends” from Sweden, Japan, and Australia through TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat, and they discuss movies & games &, well, yes, what they had for dinner, with their pals every night, and they do it live by video. Commercial air radio is dead. Dead as a door nail? When we die, then yes.
your points are very valid. my 10 year old though has been interested in walkie talkies, which lead to ham and he's getting his license, but unfort. he'll prob have no one to talk to these days. He uses discord, but there's something he finds interesting in internetless communication. Maybe it's a fad, or maybe he'll dig deeper and ask for better equipment. I always liked picking up odd frequencies to listen to (not talk), I was more of a scanner person. If my son heard CW and had a device spit out the message, he'd prob think he's in a spy movie. Or render a fax via SW. I think that would intrigue him, but i dont know for how long. His main form of communication will always be discord.
I love this video yes we as a ham community need to spend time on both systems back and forth from analog to digital and vice versa what a great idea. 73 let's keep those repeaters going ham family
You can apply this great commentary on what's going on in today's society. New to the radio world. This explains why I do not hear much on my local repeaters.
I got bored before 2000 and when the city wouldn't renew the deal for water tower space, I took down the repeater, put it in my barn, put away my kenwoods, icoms and when we moved to the country didn't put back up the tower, let my and my wifes amateur licenses lapse and went to smart phones and left all the old squirell watchers behind. I'm seeing there have been a few new modes and technologies in ham radio in the last 20 years. Local prepping friends want to go GMRS/repeater. Hams around here used to look down on preppers. Maybe things have changed in the last 20 years.
Thanks for the nudge KB9VBR. I will keep calling out on our home town repeater
Hi Michael, this is my first comment for your channel. I've been watching your videos as well as many others as I study to take my test. I'm in your area and will hopefully hear ya out there soon. Bought my first radio last week even and many of my friends in the Jeep community are already Hams. While many of the Jeepers in the area still run CB, we have a few dozen ham licensed and on rides, those folks are mostly using 2m over cb (again, this is really cool!). We learned the hard way when we took our group to South Dakota that those Jeep clubs all use ham, nobody uses cb so it was a real eye-opener. We're approaching 500 member profiles in our club on rl4wd.com and we now have a dedicated ham committee to help members transition from cb and cell phone to amateur radio and aprs. If we're successful, you may see a lot of new hams around SEWI. 2 of our guys even become examiners, working on a 3rd so when we do rides, we can also offer ham crams and testing at some events (also open to the public of course), this way jeepers will be teaching jeepers. We found that new riders tend to do a good job of following our guides and getting licensed is a very big chunk of our communication segment on the site. Anyway, I could go on and on about it all because we're having a lot of fun with it, but I'll save that for another time. Just know we look forward to being an asset to the ham radio community. I'm very excited to try fox hunting and may even helping host some tournaments like this on the 4x4 trails! Anytime we can combine a fun game, education and riding trails, it's a WIN haha.
Keep up these awesome videos! I know how much work they are to plan, prep, shoot, edit, and release. You've been a real inspiration as a local ham I may be able to talk with one day soon.
Just found this video. Having operated here in the UK for nearly 40 years I've seen repeater activity decrease until these days I can call out until I'm blue in the face and not hear anybody! Saying that, I do have regular QSOs with a couple of stations on our local 2m repeater on my way to and from work and this has become a regular sched. I also understand anecdotally that there are a number of other stations who listen in to some of our technical discussions but do not join.
I don't know how it is in the US but I have a number of thoughts about the lack of activity in the UK. 1) More repeaters: the number of repeaters has shot up over the years so diluting activity. 2) Changing work patterns: a lot of ops used to be service engineers out and about on calls. Now they sit behind a computer and answer phones. Also, these days we are slaves to the mobile phone so having a ham or pmr rig in your work vehicle is a rarity. 3) Have you tried fitting a rig into a modern car these days? 😠 4) HF is more attractive than V/UHF.
Last wekend I drove 180 miles to a family get-together and put calls through about a dozen repeaters with only two contacts, both from people I knew locally. Whether the others didn't want to talk to a strange callsign elsewhere or there wasn't anybody listening, but there was more activity on 2m simplex than on any of the boxes.
One way to make HAM come alive, is to make it USEFUL not only playful.
100% agree!!
Growing up in the Northern Illinois & Southern Wisconsin Area, we enjoyed many repeaters, as well as a multitude of sources for radio & electronics. Many of those are gone today, as well as the periodicals that brought us into the hobby. Places like Radio Shack were a viable source for the budding Radio Amateur, Scanner Enthusiast, & Shortwave Listener. They were also a place for the casual to serious electronics tinkerers. While I'd be the first to admit Radio Shack of the later years was not that of my youth, but they still filled a niche, that no other retailer has come close to replacing. There were of course the local C.B. Radio & Scanner Shops that also ‘played’ into the hobby, but those are long gone as well. They also served as a gathering-point, for member of the local radio community. Stories shared over a cup of coffee. Interesting & creative solutions for projects were discussed. I learned a lot, just by listening to many of those conversations.
As for the periodicals, gone are the likes of Radio Electronics, Popular Electronics, Electronics Now, Popular Communications, C.Q. VHF, 73 Magazine, Monitoring Times, The World Scanner Report, etc.... I realize there are a few online journals out there, but once again, none of them come close to what was once covered in the aforementioned magazines & newsletters. The interest in radio, electronics, & project building is shifting, and I don’t know where this leaves many of us. With over +21 years in the Communications & Telecommunications Industry, I really begin to wonder what the next chapter will bring.
There is an app for that... we may not have the Radio shops and that is sad, miss it. Meetup is an app where you can just get a group together... You could help so much teaching the young .... You do pose an interesting question... "next Chapter" though guys like you that made it happen are going to have to show the youth how to make it happen... if we don't no one will... back to Campbell soup cans.
@@jcsdasar Sad & true.
Okay, let’s consider the positives of ham radio. Connection, common interest, etc. I use analog, DMR, & EchoLink. I’m willing to talk w/anyone. 73, all
We have an analog country wide 70cm repeater and it is busy as can be. Good info and from your occasional a-h*ole it is a great place to be. Multiple daily talk groups and in the weekends you can still find someone late at night. Getting more people back to even just monitoring analog would increase the contacts I think. And of course building bigger networks if possible. Great video and have an awesome day!
I've been off bc no one else is on. My son is wanting to get into ham.. so I'm going to get him on and live vicariously through him.. see if we can kickstart our area action.
Another issue, which I think applies in my area is that each of the local clubs have their own simplex nets. They need to get together on the repeaters and have a region wide, all club duplex net
I call on my M6(foundation) callsign and mostly get nothing in return, I find the same few ppl on for awhile until they get fed up with little activity and move onto DMR, DStar or whatever. It's a shame as my local repeater has such a good footprint. More listeners than talkers. I keep calling thou!
Used to have a good time talking on my hand held through the big repeater in orlando and via the 6 meter setup they had best long distance “skip” when conditions were good for weeks at a time ..now just too many don’t care and i think they are missing a great hobby
I've been licensed for a number of years now, even worked my way up to the Amateur Extra license. But I haven't been on the air in years because I'm just too damn busy with life, work, other hobbies, and decompressing in between. Plus the added issue here in California it's now illegal to operate the mic/PTT while driving and using the mobile radio (while exempting government employees).
I find amateur radio has two major problems that is habitually and willfully overlooked: Poor outdated interface system, especially for HT's; and hardware fixed modes!
Every time I've been too busy for a little while to use the radio, I forgot how to access and use the menus and features, ESPECIALLY for HT's! And when I want to get back into it again I have to spend time reading the damn instructions all over again! After that happened a few times you just don't want to bother anymore. Ham Radios need to be brought up to date with intuitive touch screen interfaces that doesn't require to read a manual, especially HT's.
The modes can no longer be fixed in the hardware! Modes need to be open source and easily downloaded like phone apps.
Once those too grossly outdated things are corrected in ham radio equipment, then the simple fact of being user friendly and intuitive will automatically draw more participation into the hobby. Otherwise it'll just continue to circle the drain. The first ham radio manufacturer that dose this will dominate the market for at least a decade! The problem is that the current manufacturer's designers and engineers are from a technological eara of three decades ago and are out of the current technology loop. They are creating great quality, but designed for users of decades ago, not for today's generations!
Well, that's my two cents anyway.
So is cell phone use while driving illegal too? If not, I assume it must be hands free. Just wondering.
I think that just proves how redundant ham is. If you update a radio set like you suggested then you get a cell phone. I think bringing it to 21st century is pointless. Most people realised that and got onto instagram whatsapp etc etc. And why would you need a license for it.
I do believe it's worth fostering old technology but it only fits a narrow context, e.g. prepper, disaster suppprt, competition etc. And i think clubs and ham communities have dropped the ball on fostering that. I the key is to make analog ham relevant and cool, if that's even possible.
@@colonelsheppard79 The key would be what I already pointed out because HAM has no competition in the realm of no infrastructure being required, unlike like cell phones.
I was mic shy for a long time, and this year got on HF and have just been having the best time. For some reason, I also have a case of VHF/UHF mic shyness. I've experienced and heard people rudely correcting others which doesn't help. But for the most part the people I hear are just having a friendly chat.
I just ordered a dual band rig for the car. I'm one of the first people to complain about nobody on the repeater, but I never throw my call out. The car rig is (hopefully) the kick in the pants to change that. I'm going to make it a point to throw my call out when I'm driving. I'd like to get more people using 146.52 as well.
About 1975 minneapolis/st.paul minnesota. We hams that were not criminals decided to form the Twin City Repeater Club(we followed ARRL guidelines). there were nothing but problems with criminals using ham radio for profit(pay money to private individual to use repeater and auto patch.) all this sanctioned by local ARRL division director. well we got it done anyway and had a lot of traffic(before cellphones and internet). we were on 146.31-146.91 open access to repeater and auto patch. It was a useful endeavor that got a lot of use and helped a lot of people. now i live in Denver. lots of repeaters. I don't even monitor anymore. go to ham radio coffee clutch twice a week and use hf mobile, 2 meter mobil, 900 p25, for the little talking done. cell phones and internet have taken over for most communications. I turn on a cb once a month but there is almost nothing there either. Now that we are linked electronically to the entire world we have little to say.
Very good topic of conversation. "Conversation" is the operative word here. Just ham it up whenever possible. Search for local nets and make a point of participating. Show some enthusiasm and put on your best ham voice. Sound happy to be on the air. Write down the names and call signs of other hams so you can say to them that "hey, didn`t I hear you last week on such and such net?" You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
As my thoughts, smartphones came out with internet allowing us not to be bogged down to a home computer, public service agencies went digital, hams introduced to DMR. I did remember when repeaters were strong in the 90's. In 2012 , I switched to DMR, taken a break so now in 2019, most bands are kinda quiet here in Denver, major agencies went encrypted.
How many repeaters are in Denver?
When I visited Denver last year I was shocked at the high level of activity on the analog repeaters. Maybe give those a try?
I give up on the use of repeaters due to the Hams that wanted to control how much you use the Repeaters .
We would go on to a repeater system here in Central cal and always get someone who says hey you know you guys are transmitting all over our area , yea so ? Then we started using Simplex two meters and low and behold there are people out there on the Simplex Fregs having fun.. I am now building a better base antenna and getting a Linear amp at about 200 watts and using SSB for our fun.. Its very fun and the repeaters are loosing out because they simply do not want people to rag chew on them.. So to heck with them..
I am always on 156.520 and people stop by rather often on this frequency in our area .
Joe
KM6MNS
Nothing wrong with being active on simplex. Repeater politics are another whole can of worms and I'm not sure if I want to tackle that issue.
might be something wrong with that... what is 156.xxx?? @@KB9VBRAntennas
I think it was a typo, I'm assuming he meant 146.52, the national simplex calling frequency
Surely 156.520 Mhz falls in the marine band of frequencies not radio amateur allocated frequency space don't you know. ✌ 73
You speak to the problem and provide thoughtful answers, keep up the good work.
I received my license 31 years ago. I wanted my license to talk local on 2 meter, discuss gear and meet people with similar interest.
I talked for the first 5 years then got fed up with the downright mean people telling me when I could talk and for how long. Since then I have just listened
I decided recently to make more of an effort this year to get more involved in ham radio and I've found that the repeaters around me here in Eastern MA seem to be more active now than 4-5 years ago when when I was first licensed. I also noticed more newly licensed hams on the air lately too which is a good sign. I currently only use analog repeaters and since most if not all digital rigs can also do analog there's no reason to not put your call out on analog repeaters if digital repeaters are dead. My main thought is whatever you have use it to get on the air as much as you can and don't be afraid to be the one to start some activity.
CWB completely agree, got to get over the mike-“phobia” and get on the air. Lots of old-timers are out there to give a hand in the learning process. But they’ve got to reach out to them. 73s! KN4QME
Taking my tech exam in May. I sure hope people talk to me! I live in Madison, Wisconsin.
Just received my tech callsign, NI5EMQ. Don't worry, were not alone out there. Just be patient and keep talking.
There's a pretty active ham community in Madison. You shouldn't have any trouble making contacts.
USSConcordia H I used CHIRP and programmed the area repeaters just to listen in for now. Not much traffic on 2 meter and 70 cm so far. Although I picked up two chatting on the repeater on Friday afternoon. One was on a mobile rig.
@@NathanWeier be sure to listen on 2m simplex also; 146.52 MHZ
So true. After 34 years of ham radio, I'm considering to sell most of my 2m and 70cm equipment. Too frustrating.
Good point. Was thinking taxes got people busy or they are on digital. Good thing I'm sticking to analog.
I am still a newbie - I have only been licensed for a year. So, I have no way to compare to the past. But our local repeater seems pretty active. Someone almost always answers if you put out your call sign, and the Tuesday night net usually has around a dozen participants.
I don't mind digital, but I have no interest in brand specific digital like DSTAR. I prefer software based digital that anyone can use. I still prefer old fashioned voice comms.
I have held off on digital modes due to the incompatibility issues. Internet-based radio just doesn’t really impress me anyway. I miss the days when everyone on 2m was on FM; there’s a little more charm to some mild bacon frying or picket-fencing on a mobile signal compared to drop-outs and R2D2 noises. Oh well, I’m getting old! 73, KE8WC
great presentation, it is difficult to find people on repeaters for sure.
Now in San Diego we have everyone on DMR
Thanks for the video. It’s true even here in Australia on the three repeaters I maintain that it goes quiet at times. The only thing we can do is encourage others and hopefully, through my RUclips channel, educate users on how a repeater works and how much it takes to maintain. 73 Hayden VK7HH
It is a lot to maintain a repeater,, I own and operate two here in the eastern parts of NC and they are very much expensive and needed. Nothing like a good coverage machine going dead from lack of maintenance de ki4wqn
@@ke4tud Even more so with a simulcast system like the one I maintain! So many different parts to the system. I'm hoping to do a video on it shortly. 73
The biggest suprise I found when going back into amateur radio (1/19/24) was all the silent repeaters, there used to be a couple of dozen I could make use of here, and now i find that 2 are somewhat active and the rest still there and seemingly functional but unused..so sad.
Heck I dont even hear crickets.....
Great video Michael! Just sharing a few thoughts I have here.....Being new to the ham radio airwaves this was a concern I had while getting into it. There are so many GREAT radios out there now! So many ways to to use them from APRS, Fusion, Wies-X, D-Strar....and the list goes on. I settled on the Yaesu FTM-400XDR. Very popular radio with it being backordered at a lot of suppliers. Some guys are buying their 3rd radio to use in different vehicles. Looked like a rig I could grow into. I also plan on using it for when the wifey and I hit the road RVing and camping. Sure wish there was a Wires-X repeater I could access here in the NorthWoods of Wisconsin. It would open up many opportunities to use the radio and talk when the repeaters are quiet. Very thankful for a couple of 2m nets i get on each week.
There are plenty of System Fusion repeaters in the Northwoods, but most of them aren't connected due to the lack of internet at the tower site.
About 40 years ago I was on 2 m off and on. I found the majority of folks using the Repeaters were cliquish. It turned me off.
I am glad that they worked their way into oblivion.
Some good ideas why there is less communications on the repeaters but you left out one. In the mid 1980's I became a ham. A couple guys I knew built and installed a repeater. They tinkered with it for about 10 years adding control of the repeater from a Commodore 64C computer and software specifically written for that purpose. That had HF capability, rotator control, and control of the HF rig through touch tones, DTMF, on the repeater. Add to that there was a group of us that were friends and worked day jobs, some that had to drive into Cleveland. The drive in took about an hour. Rather than listen to the broadcast radio our group would rag chew on the repeater. As each person arrived at work they would drop off the repeater. We would pickup the rag chew on the trip home. A lot of us belong to the same radio club and had activities in the evening. We rag chewed a lot while traveling to and from places around town. I retired in 1993. Many of those that were in the repeater group to rag chew have since retried as well. Some of us get together for a new club's activities but beyond that we are on the radio less often due less travel in our vehicles.
There are two kinds of hams, operators and experimenters. Operators want to communicate by what technology is available and as a low cost as possible. If an IPhone and online game do it, fine. The experimenters goal is to learn, modify, improve the state of the art and make it low cost. What some call hacking! The same hams who came up with Autopatch, Packet, Amsat, Homebrew Computing and such also used it as a proof of concept for commercial systems. As a result we now have more modes than we know what to do with? Its not just ham radio, its the entire electronics industry that has gone from small nitch markets to a massive global industry.
Kinda simple, the old dudes on repeters scares new people away by their horrible attitudes. They think they own the repeters and tells new people to shut up
I agree with your feelings about what has happened to repeaters. Starting back in the very early 60's and through the early 80's I had an open 2-Meter repeater at a high profile site above Los Angeles that did a pretty good job of covering a lot of Southern California. It was originally an AM repeater, and later converted over to FM This is what I wrote about it on www.wa6tdd.com
What was WA6TDD? The WA6TDD repeater, like the K6MYK repeater, was a social gathering place. A place where Amateur Radio operators would regularly gather and talk about a myriad of things, sometimes even Ham Radio stuff. It was like a bunch of friends sitting around the table at the local eatery, where good conversation would start out talking about one thing and drift to… whatever. There was activity on the repeater almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WA6TDD had a large following. Not just Hams, but non-Hams who listened with scanners or whatever else they could get hold of that would tune to 146.4 MHz. WA6TDD had its own personality, a personality that was a product of its combined users. It was good company and a good place to be.
Burt, K6OQK
I moved to Florida (Orlando)from Puerto Rico, I had hams who answered my calls, as long as they were also hispanics. I moved to Lakeland, and to be honest, I had no luck trying to communicate with the locals. So much so that I quit using my 2m Icom HandyTalkie. I am considering installing a cat whiskers antenna for 10 meters, have not worked that frequency in a long time. Will let you know how I do.
Thanks for your very informative videos, I enjoy them. Keep the good work going.
How about a video on power supplies?
Gilberto E Figueroa - There’s a lot of activity on the WC4PEM repeater system. I can easily hit the 2M repeater from Palm Bay, which is on 146.985. There’s also 2 or 3 repeaters linked on 440.
My experience as a HAM operator licensed in the 90's and now returning after 25 years, has to do with the repeater owners and trustees. Many are clubs and the clubs are hemmorraging members. Most are just a bunch of grumpy old men (I`m 67 so I guess i qualify,) who sit around a gripe if the club should increase its dues or not, or sending membets who are not current threatening letters. I just resigned as VP of our local group because I suggested setting up an echolink node to carry some of the popular conference servers and nets-traffic begets traffic. They also disted my request to spend $150 on a presentation quality TV for RUclips and Skype presentations (we are sitting on a $12,000 balance in our club account, and using a crappy 15 year old screen projector which is a hassle to operate). Our website and social media presence has content from 2017. Despite my efforts, the only feedback I got was that I was trying to turn us into a digital radio club. Who needs that kind of nonsense when i can use a hotspot, and talk locally or all around the world without having to put up with club/repeater owner politics?
I just subscribed to you on the strength of this post alone. Going for my General this month.
73 KI6AMK.
I heard a qso get shooed off a repeater, and they were discussing the Attack on Pearl Harbor. They left peacefully, but it is like a open, and monitored phone line. 20 years ago, they were like mild hf pileups, and the fun repeaters had quick timeout timers, no longwinds, and the one person not quite making the trip. There are still nets on some repeaters, and a few simplex ones.
Peer pressure. Both directions. Smart phones: Don't need a license, nearly unlimited communication. Coverage gets better all the time. Ham: Need a license. Compared to a smart phone, why bother? Ham snobs push noobs away. Try to get on air and immediately get Karen-ed out for not doing something exactly right. Or, like others have mentioned, no answer to CQ. I listen in on occasion. The only place I've seen/heard ham promoted in a friendly manner is on freakin' youtube!
I've had General RTO for many years, and I wish it applied to ham and GMRS. I'm studying for the license, and have a CCR (Cheap Chinese Radio). I intend to use it for comm in the boonies. That's in addition to GMRS and FRS. With the price of these things, one can afford to do all of it.
THANK you for sharing this with us
I have had license for year and a half, gave up trying to get someone to talk. If they don't know you they don't talk! There are meetings to meet people but you should not have to go to a meeting!
It's not the falt of the mode!....40 years ago hams had radio in common, today no...i don't use the local repeaters, nothing to talk to them about..they like to discus there heath problems "I don't have" so I put up a DMR repeater...and go out of town!
SDR is starting to open up air waves from 1kz to 200 MHz. A person with just a few bucks can set up system that can send and receive and its getting better all the time. I like sitting out in the desert while I'm camping with a laptop and an antenna and just mess around. Its not dead its in transition.
Here's an idea. Have ham nets where a new ham jointly operates the net as a guest with net control. Rotate the guest every net cycle, this way a voice is in the air, the "old timers" get to say hello. There's a great GMRS net that I participate in where a new recipe is read over the air every week. The guys seem to love it. It wouldn't violate FCC rules, might even get the better half interested. And if there's no newbies, use some of the other guys.
From where I am old HAMS hate new HAMS. My friend got his Foundation, went on a repeater and basically got told to F off.
I never liked clicky people... I may avoid the whole HAM thing
@@rickie5150 Try HF. 40 meters
When they went from 25khz to 12.5 on fm just when the decline was starting , that gave double the empty channels , then came Dstar , that meant more cash , for what ? Of course some were left behind . mobile phones and www = more decline . It's hard to see how this can be reversed , your building bridges is a good idea , however this is a very uphill job . My solution is very radical , turn the phrase "use it or lose it" on it's head . We need to lose many bands , so we are concentrated in ever smaller and smaller space , no doubt this will get many of us on our high horse , which in turn will reactivate discussion . Also the push to increase numbers / modes / making Amateur radio ever more easy and accessible has not worked , we need to go in the other direction .. Make Amateur radio exclusive and something to aspire to again . Working hard to get access to HF with cw was hours of hard work for most of us and most of us was proud of all our hard work ,resulting in wanting to be part of a great slightly exclusive hobby again . My attempt to reverse the dumbing-down of ham radio . I'm sure my solution will not be popular .
The word that comes to mind is “consolidation”. As a new ham I’m not knowledgeable on the repeater use in various regional areas across the USA. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some areas are very active and can support 4+ repeaters; others 2 or less. Is there a way to do selective consolidation? A rhetorical question for the moment.
I’m at the stage of knowing that I need to upgrade from my Baofeng UV5R which was the unit that got me into the hobby. I’m retired with adequate financial resources and wonder what is the utility of spending up to $1,500 to set a multi-band ham shack? This question for some may become a barrier to entry to the hobby. Will be interesting to see if innovation in radio electronics will lower costs enough to attract more people demanding more equipment which will lower the costs more. 🤔
Building bridges. Now there’s a topic that that could take eons to discuss. Getting out of own silos - that may be a cultural issue to tackle.
My rambling is done. 73, KE0VFT
@@southjersey10 Thanks for your input Mark , i think if we are all honest the decline in ham radio has been a long time in the making , 30 years or more . I think we can only do our best to keep going in this ever changing world . When i say make ham exclusive again , i don't mean top of the range gear , i have an Icom 703 and a 10 + year old Kenwood ts 480 hx as my only hf rig's i have a icom d-star handy talky which i never use , i live in remote area . So my thinking is making the hobby more accessible to the youth and let's face it making it easy to get your ticket has not invigorated the hobby like some first thought . It's just a fact the world has moved on since the 60's when ham was something exclusive and something to aspire to . Maybe it's much better where you are , here in UK Scotland ham is seen by many as CB . Of course the new modes makes us want to go out and buy new gear , but i'm not sure that really helps our hobby , you can get on air with wire and very old but good rig's for next to nothing and have as much ,if not more fun . I better shut up now or i'll go into rant mode . Thanks again for your input Mark . 73 MM0UDI .
By the way a really good and possibly eye opening video you have here.
We have fixed it with linking.
You take a few users in each area and make one big group.
Tower site owners refusing to allow locals groups or clubs access to replace or install antenna systems is a huge issue in the Houston area. Along with the digital/non-digital split problem, there are a few large active analog systems that I tend to avoid because of the discussion content. Topics people openly broach on the radio are hard enough to discuss civilly in person, and I'm just not interested in that.
I was only made two contacts on 70cm since I got my license in January 2020. 2 meter is pretty active. Simplex is much more fun, but still sad that it’s not used as much.
I am strictly analog, no desire or funds for gathering tools for any digital means of communications. The question "What do I need to get on (digital mode)?" keeps coming back with the need to buy, buy buy. I am fixed income HAM - meaning 1 social security check on a monthly basis, no more - no less, with many bills going out in a months time. The need to buy and up grade equipment with software and "firmware" is too costly. Wealthy hams will never comprehend how this is possible.