Re: [HamBrewers] Vintage Technologies We No Longer Use

Guys, 

I am jumping in late because of time zone difference and I have a few comments. 

1. I visit Dayton Hamvention regularly and people I see there are mostly seniors. Dayton Hamvention always has a section where one can rent a battery operated wheel chair. You see a significant number of people using them. At most hamfests people I see are average age group >50's. 

2. According to ARRL there is an increase in the number of licenses issued but in most cities in the US 2m repeaters do not get used. If some of them are triggered once in a week it is a great event. 70 cm repeaters are off air in many cities due to inactivity. 

3. When we started into the hobby we got going with home brew radios - both receivers and transmitters. There is still some activity but not like what happened back then. 

4. Heath Kit died in late 80's (date?) and after that there are no equal kit makers on the market. 

5. I remember we had some ham families where e.g., father used to work in another country (or city) and used to make daily contact with his wife & son using radio. They had to wait for the band openings and contacts were not always assured. Today such situation is replaced by Internet and communication is possible at any time of day or night. 

This list can go on. I know in my family I am the only and last ham. (And probably in most of your families). 

73

Prasad

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From: Raj <vu2zap@gmail.com>
To: HamBrewers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 5:00 AM
Subject: RE: [HamBrewers] Vintage Technologies We No Longer Use

Well said Pramod.

Please note that most of the parts stockists on SP road were Sindhis who came to India from Pakisthan as refugees. The Marwaris if any invaded later!

So what, why should we feel distressed with the reality. Just the other day, I heard some one celebrating Jagadish Chandra Bose’s birthday on 40 meters, convincing others that JC bose was the real inventor of Radio and Marconi was a cheat.. and so on. What I mean to say is, a good number of hams have no problems what so ever, living in the Graham bell era..

And also not to be confused with another gentleman who may claim to have founded ARRL and is a direct descendant of Hiram Percy Maxim Bose. He may also claim to have invented those speakers and founded the mens magazine.. There may be some resemblance I might add. From Wikipedia:

7. HAM Radio

An estimated six million people are still involved with this hobby that began at the start of the 20th century. HAM radio operators communicate with each other over short wave radio. HAM radios have been featured in many popular movies, including The Shining and Contact.



8. Reel to Reel