5 ms·

While I agree with you that an "amateur radio operator day" is sillyness. It's worth keeping in mind that the Amateur radio community still has a LOT of valuab

by ampere 4y ago

While I agree with you that an "amateur radio operator day" is sillyness. It's worth keeping in mind that the Amateur radio community still has a LOT of valuable spectrum to use. We have lost spectrum recently in the 3.5Ghz band, but sadly that's also a band that goes unused by a lot of radio amateurs. For a hobby like amateur radio, defending what we have today is a vital and important role, even if expansion isn't accomplished. There's no doubt lots of value to be had for private companies gaining use over our spectrum. Defending the majority of we have today is a worthily accomplishment in it's own right.

Overtonwindow 4y ago
I think it is a hobby worth defending, it is a hobby worth pursuing, and as a ham radio operator, I would like to see ARTL do a significant more work in legislation. Based on the lobbying disclosure reports for their lobbyists over the past five years, and the 990s, I believe they have wasted significant amounts of money accomplishing nothing. We NEED to open up more spectrum, encourage people to take up a hobby, teach radio theory, and operation in high school, lower the barrier of entry for getting a radio, there are many, many things that we need to do. Wasting money on lobbyists while not achieving any proactive goal, such as a ham radio operator day, and spending $5000 a month to try to get that, is not good.
- BenjiWiebe 4y ago
  Not that I'm against having more spectrum, but do we really NEED more spectrum? There's no way ham radio can have enough bandwidth to be the Internet, after all. And there's plenty of space for communications and experimentation as is, with lots of different bands with different characteristics.
- wbl 4y ago
  Agreed on promotion. I have an extra ticket and a nice radio but barely use it in part due to apartment in part due to inexperience. More activities aimed at getting on the air would be useful.
  - focusedone 4y ago
    Been there. There are some fun ways to do DX in a small apartment. I'd be happy to chat about it anytime if you'd like ideas or just to commiserate over the difficulties.
    - wbl 4y ago
      How should I get in touch?
      - focusedone 4y ago
        hn @ myusername . com

by ampere 4y ago

Overtonwindow 4y ago

I think it is a hobby worth defending, it is a hobby worth pursuing, and as a ham radio operator, I would like to see ARTL do a significant more work in legislation. Based on the lobbying disclosure reports for their lobbyists over the past five years, and the 990s, I believe they have wasted significant amounts of money accomplishing nothing. We NEED to open up more spectrum, encourage people to take up a hobby, teach radio theory, and operation in high school, lower the barrier of entry for getting a radio, there are many, many things that we need to do. Wasting money on lobbyists while not achieving any proactive goal, such as a ham radio operator day, and spending $5000 a month to try to get that, is not good.

BenjiWiebe 4y ago
Not that I'm against having more spectrum, but do we really NEED more spectrum? There's no way ham radio can have enough bandwidth to be the Internet, after all. And there's plenty of space for communications and experimentation as is, with lots of different bands with different characteristics.
wbl 4y ago
Agreed on promotion. I have an extra ticket and a nice radio but barely use it in part due to apartment in part due to inexperience. More activities aimed at getting on the air would be useful.
- focusedone 4y ago
  Been there. There are some fun ways to do DX in a small apartment. I'd be happy to chat about it anytime if you'd like ideas or just to commiserate over the difficulties.
  - wbl 4y ago
    How should I get in touch?
    - focusedone 4y ago
      hn @ myusername . com