Ars Technica has posted yet another silly article, “Dead media walking? ‘Obsolete’ communications systems live on,” declaring amateur radio to be an outdated technology. Fortunately, many hams, like myself, have commented on the article to set the record straight. One comment that I liked was from someone using the name cream wobbly:
I like the way you completely gloss over the rise of Internet-like technologies over the amateur radio bands, packet radio being at the inception of this; and any other developments that have arisen from amateur radio, such as SDR, the basis of the Joint Tactical Radio System. Others have commented on the disaster preparedness of radio amateurs, too. If this were /. you’d’ve been instructed to hand in your geek card, Mr. Lasar. Sheesh.
I’d encourage everyone who reads this to head on over there and add a comment of your own.
The article puts “obsolete” in quotes and goes on to describe how viable several data topics still are. Regarding ham radio, the author couldn’t be more clear: “Despite broadband, mobile phones, and VoIP, amateur radio transmission is alive and well in the USA.”. So I’m not quite sure what you asking us to do.
Read the ARRL editorial in the August QST. There are two million or more hams on the planet. An amazing number.
Related, when making a ham radio presentation the question always comes up, “I’ve got a cell phone. Why should I get into ham radio?” My reply is, “I can call Iceland and talk to a friend. Can you do that?” Lame? Possibly. But effective. At least with me.
Bill, NA8M
I don’t think that article was saying Amateur Radio is dead… he was writing an article about all the technologies that have been declared dead but are still being used… the section on Amateur Radio to me was very complimentary.
Read the article amateur radio isn’t dead but is of little use. Lets face it yes there might be 2 million licensed operators but hardly any really are competent. Take my area Kansas we have a handful that actually practice the hobby. Then there is one or two (you know who you are) that think they need to direct and control all aspects of the hobby.
Most of my club members are either useless as a tech or are too old to be of any help and are stuck in the CW days. Get over it CW is dead, learn to use a computer and get it to digital… It takes more effort and passes more data….
Don’t like my comments couldn’t care any less…