Subj : Re: No license operators
To   : n2qfd
From : tenser
Date : Fri Mar 22 2024 02:31 am

On 19 Mar 2024 at 05:21a, n2qfd pondered and said...
 
 n2> [snip]
 n2>   So, what's this debate like now in 2024, is it still a thing? Are we
 n2> still scared someone might enjoy, (not abuse) our bandwith without a
 n2> license?

I'm an extra, been licensed for a decade, blah blah blah.  I
only mention this because too many hams use their decades of
licensed status as some kind of cudgel with which to argue.

My take is that yes, this violates both the spirit and letter
of the regulations, but it's one of those things that is
mostly harmless.

Ham radio is, frankly and literally, dying.  The average age
of hams is increasing, and the relevant advocacy organizations
are doing little (if anything) to increase youth participation.
And many of those who see themselves as the gatekeepers of
amateur radio are, frankly, very unpleasant to deal with both
on the air and off.  Some others in this thread have mentioned
poor operator behavior on e.g. HF; inappropriate and rude stuff
coming over the air.  So often, it's coming from fully licensed
operators who've been on the air for decades and who, bluntly,
have come to feel a sense of ownership over both spectrum and
the hobby as a whole and with it, a sense of entitlement to be
both rude and inappropriate on the air.  Not everyone involved
in the hobby is like that, of course, but too many are and they
are often the loudest.  These were the same people who claimed
that no-code hams would ruin the hobby, that the tests were
being watered down, that the hobby was ruined...and then turn
around and wonder why, "the bands are dead."  Maybe because you
guys chased off everyone who was remotely interested?

So, if people behave like that, why would a young person be
motivated to study for and then _pay money_ to get licensed?
Just to be verbally abused by some jerk on the air?  No, thank
you.

For people buying the Baofengs on Amazon and treating them
like souped-up walkie talkies, I can see why: you don't have
to put up with the asshatery, if you're even aware of the
licensing requirements in the first place.  So if someone
buys a cheap HT and talks around the neighborhood, does it really
hurt anyone?  Probably not.  Are there hams who are going to
get seriously bent out of shape about it?  Yes, absolutely.  Do
I care about their opinions?  Mostly no.

Same thing with HF, frankly.  A lot of old-timers are complaining
that no one wants to upgrade and work HF.  Why would they?  I can
pick up a phone and call pretty much anywhere in the world for
no incremental cost over my usual service.  I can voice and video
chat someone on the other side of the planet in real time over the
Internet similarly.  The niche that radio once held is gone, and
the kids don't want to listen to some nasty old man talk about a)
how the kids are all screwed up these days, and b) how his prostate
is acting up again.  Can't say I blame them.

(It's always funny to me how those complaining that no one is
upgrading don't seem to take the time to ask people if they even
_want_ to upgrade.)

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