Steve, N8GNJ, publishes a newsletter called Zero Retries. Steve describes the newsletter as “an independent newsletter about technological innovation in Amateur Radio (sic), promoting Amateur Radio as (literally) a license to experiment with and learn about radio technology.” It’s a great newsletter, and I’d encourage you to subscribe.
In addition to the newsletter, Zero Retries hosts a Groups.io mailing list. In the Zero Retries group, they discuss the topics covered in the newsletter. One of the latest topics is “Top three priorities, in the next three years, for Amateur Radio in the 21st Century? ” The purpose of this topic is “figuring out what should be the focus of efforts promoting amateur radio in the 21st century.”
Steve starts the discussion by listing three of his ideas:
- US Amateur Radio reform to remove the symbol rate limits and (preferably) bandwidth limits for the US Amateur Radio VHF / UHF bands.
- Amore modern “single web page” directory for 21st century Amateur Radio that, for example, references Zero Retries, SARC The Communicator, the reference how.aprs.works for APRS, the upcoming ARRL book on digital networking, the RATPAC video conferences, references to HamSCI, etc. Something that someone thinking about coming into Amateur Radio would find relevant.
- Some guide, book, web page, video tutorials… something… current… that discusses how to use GNU Radio and GNU Radio Companion for experiencing within Amateur Radio. Includes a directory of various GNU Radio flowgraphs relevant to Amateur Radio such as a flowgraph about 1200 bps AFSK packet radio.
There are a lot of other good ideas in the comments, including:
- Better digital audio.
- LoRa on the VHF and UHF bands, and maybe even voice over LoRa.
- De-emphasize the emergency communications aspect of amateur radio and focus on the “fun” aspects of ham radio, such as POTA and SOTA.
- Outreach to young professionals and college students.
- A geosynchronous (or long orbital period) amateur satellite into orbit covering North America. Along with this, devise ground stations that are easy to reproduce on hobby budgets.
- Make open, non-proprietary digital voice modes widely available, built in to equipment or as add-ons.
- Develop open, non-proprietary DSP software for transmitter builders, with the goals of efficiency (polar modulation) and clean signals (amplifier linearization).
- Development of inexpensive small all-mode radios for use in all microwave bands up to 100 GHz. Radios must have USB connection for various modes and content. Should be 12 Vdc powered.
- Really good basic level publications on GNU Radio that will allow the majority of ham operators to understand and use this powerful tool.
- Educate Technician class operators about the world of ham radio beyond a cheep handheld to kerchunk local repeaters…..
Take a look and see what you think. You can comment here, but I’d really encourage you to join the group and comment on the mailing list. It will add to the discussion.
IMHO the absolute top priority for Amateur Radio should be: share the joy! The vast majority of non-Hams know little or nothing about out hobby/service, and even a sizable number of currently licensed Hams are unaware of all that’s available. Tell people you know about the things you do, and the things you intend to try but haven’t gotten around to yet. Ham Radio is part science, part art, and maybe just a little bit of magic.
Hi Walter, For years I thought ham radio required huge towers and expensive equipment. I had no idea there is so much more. I would have gotten involved decades earlier if I’d known about portable and field ops, UHF/VHF, digital modes, RTTY, the fun of making antennas, etc. I think the incomplete impression I had was seeing big towers and giant aerials without any context or additional information. Working the world on a wire thrown up in a tree to me is magic! Very good points about sharing the joy and educating the public about all that’s available in this amazing hobby.