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Is time running out for amateur radio? This is a variation of a question that is being asked by some amateur radio operators and dependant upon what you use the hobby for the answer is probably yes.
As is inevitable in a pastime that uses technology the world as caught up and indeed overtaken what was once a forerunner in innovation. At one time it is was considered a wondrous thing that two people could talk over many miles, now the everyday use of mobile telephones and the internet has made it that children can do this with the utmost of ease. Of course this may not be so within countries that have censorship and that do not have ready access to this degree of technology that we in the western world take so readily as a granted right. The high degree of cost and difficulty has always been a barrier to the entry into the world of amateur radio and this could be reduced by easy action by government and corporations that regard profit as the only objective.
Looking at the present UK system of entry into the hobby we currently have two types of tuition.
The home taught. This method of teaching also encompasses the informal sessions that happen for the RAE B licence as well as those that teach themselves from books.
The formal or supervised tuition. This is used for the Novice Licence course.
To me this seems illogical that an operator can use more power and frequencies if he is self-taught than one that has been taught by an instructor. To me if one can do it so can the others. You may say the course is not the same and therefore they cannot have the same privileges. I know this and that is how it should be, but tell me why is it necessary to have to learn all about transistors, resistors etc, when if something goes wrong with a piece of equipment, the owner will most likely ship it of to an approved repairer. This is especially so now that surface mount components are the norm in most electronic equipment. The licence implies that the main purpose of radio is self teaching, would it not make sense to remove the need for supervised instruction and allow all candidates t he right to sit the examination with attending an approved centre of instruction.
The need to have passed a Morse examination is an unnecessary barrier to the High Frequency part of the spectrum. Morse code should be considered just another mode of transmission along with SSTV and packet. You do not need an examination pass in these other modes to operate them, so why should you have to pass a Morse examination to use it. How does passing a Morse test make you a better operator and more aware of the problems that caused by transmissions in the HF part of the spectrum. It does not, and therefore should not be a barrier to the HF spectrum.
Considering that conduct within amateur bands is supposed to be gentlemanly (sorry to all the female operators for the use of this word), recent listening to repeaters, simplex and other modes indicate that this is no longer so. I have often heard amateurs that have been licensed for some time, treat the new intakes like they should not be using a radio at all. How is this attitude supposed to encourage people to join the hobby?
Government attitudes seem to be that the amateur bands do not need to be formalised and that they are self-policing. It may be time for formal usage of the band plans to be set down in writing. They are also keen on selling of parts of the spectrum to the highest bidder; this may cause amateurs to be left with expensive redundant equipment. Watch what may happen to the 433 MHz band.
These are not the only problems as I see them but they may be considered as some of the main ones.
I accept that these are only my views and opinions and that the hobby is different to everyone.
I look forward to comments on this whether they agree or disagree with me.
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