Do you think HAM radio is a dying hobby?

Question

Is it a dying hobby?

Answer 1

I would say yes. I've thought about getting into it on a number of occasions myself, but nowadays, we've got the Internet. It basically emulates what HAM radio used to be: a communication network for pleasure.

Sure, the HAM operators are a godsend during times when the power goes down and/or mother nature lets loose, but as far as being a pleasurable hobby, I think it's giving way to other technology.

Answer 2

No, more children than ever are taking their ham license, yes it did decline dramatically on the advent of cell phones, but since they removed the Morse requirement more people than ever are taking the Technician Class - so many so that 'Vanity' callsigns are getting scarce.

Answer 3

Ham radio is in its last days.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.

I have been a licensed ham for over 46 years now.  Since the partnership of ARRL and FCC have done away with the code requirement and reduced the written exams to laughable little quizzes that small children pass easily, ham radio has been in its death throes.

I no longer listen to the 2 Meter FM band.  It sounds as bad as, or possibly worse than, CB.  The band is jammed with codeless morons who have an utter disrespect for the rules, traditions, and practices that epitomized ham radio for eighty years.

Most of the codeless wonders gradually fade away after a few months, but there is always another crop ready to hatch.

RIP, ham radio.  

73 to anyone who cares, from an OOT.

Answer 4

My gut reaction is yes. Then I read Master's reply and maybe waffle a bit. But I just don't hear people talk about it as much as 20-30 years ago.

The equipment can be expensive and there are a lot of other toys out there that people might be attracted to first before taking up a complicated hobby like HAM.

No offense to anyone, I have the utmost respect for HAM operators. We have a local guy who makes the news once in a while because of his antenna - which he has strung up in a big 'ol palm tree down here in S Fla..

-a  guy named duh

Answer 5

I'd agree that the hobby aspects (long distance communications  and "chatting")  seem to have HUGE competition with the Internet and cell phones.  However, there are lots of folks getting their Technician class licenses to complement their CERT training. Many people realize that the only thing that seems to keep working when there is a problem is the ham radios.  Many want to be able to help.  No Morse code has made this desire a reality for these folks.

In summary, I don't think it's dying, I think it's changing and growing in new directions.  ( Remember VOIP started with HAMS - wonder what they'll do next??)

Answer 6

It's not a dying hobby as it's one that needs to find it's new groove and promote it..sort of like Terrestrial radio is with sat radio up and coming.

It's not bringing the Tech heads as it was say 20-30 years ago who are more hooked into computer games and the internet now (but a lot of hobbies are actually "dying" cause of it)

However two things are coming up.... The tech heads who use the computers and internet are getting tired of computers when they get home and are actually turning to ham radio as a form of entertainment (as I know a few tech heads who do this and one of the most famous hackers of all time Kevin Mitnick is a ham)

Also another trend is the using of ham radio in post 9/11 plans for emergency communications around the nation as it's one of the only technologies out that is not dependant upon either a few skilled and trained individuals to set up or a company to be there to back it up

So ARRL better get it's game on and try to recruit more in my opinion than just Boy Scouts (which is one of the pools younger hams come from these days, as well as in school ham clubs starting to re-form around the nation)

Answer 7

Dropping the code and the introduction of new digital modes has caused a mini revival here in South Africa.

Real interest in morse code is also up compared to when it used to be compulsory.

So no, its not dying. It will never again be as popular as it was in the 1950s and 1960s but its not going to dissapear.

Answer 8

it's dying slowly,but only until the Greenland ice sheet melts and stops the gulf stream dead,northern Europe will be sent into a mini ice age,this will effect the monsoons in Asia,sea levels will rise worldwide,100,000,000 people will be displaced (cons est)and HAM radio will be one of the easiest forms of communications left to mankind when we are not busy defending ourselves from the HORDE.