Tom...

 TW{at}> That is what is Wronmg with Todays Ham Radio. Working 2 metersd over
 TW{at}> the Internet is NOT Ham radio.

  Unfortunately for me, I live in an apartment complex where antennas are
PROHIBITED...period. A management shake-up a few months back necessitated
that.

  Where I live, all of the residents are disabled in some way (I have been
fully disabled for over 8 years), and if someone walked by with a defective
pacemaker, oxygen tank, or power chair...with my antenna next to the window,
keying up could've killed them. I didn't want to risk that liability, let
alone possibly losing everything I had, and going to jail for manslaughter.

  But, declining health has made me cut back on ham radio extensively. The
good thing about the apartment complex is that each apartment is handicapped
accessible...and with the severeity of the arthritis and other health issues
that I have, that is more important than ham radio or BBSing. I use either a
cane or walker on a regular basis...and may soon have to consider using a
wheelchair. I can no longer drive to areas outside of Pulaski County (where
Little Rock is), and it's just as hard to ride to these areas for a hamfest,
license exam session, etc.

  Besides, if I violate the rules in the lease, I risk being evicted, and 
being on a fixed income (just barely over $1000 a month), makes it rather 
difficult to consider moving. I just got out of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy late 
last year (had to file it, when I had 5 surgeries in 1 year); I don't want 
to go down that road again.

  I still help with a license exam session on occasion, and check into a few
nets on Echolink (single user setup), D-Star (DV Dongle), and Packet via
Telnet. However, because of the antenna prohibitions, it's either operate
this way, or not at all. And, if one can't get on the air at all, what is
the point of getting into amateur radio in the first place??

 TW{at}> Also the Mindless one Day in at 8 and out at 5 with yuor Licence is
 TW{at}> producing thoudands of Hams that have NO Idea what it is all about.

  That's why I recommend Ham Test Online, to those studying for a new
license, or for an upgrade. You are actually learning something, and not
just memorizing answers. I went from Technician to General in 14 days,
and to Amateur Extra 13 days later. It was the best money I ever spent
in ham radio. I encourage those at hamfests, or at license exam sessions
to spend their money and time with Ham Test Online. They do offer a money
back guarantee, and only about 1% of all who've purchased the service 
have asked for a refund. Also, in using Ham Test Online, I recommend 2
hours per day for 2 weeks in study time...or they'll never pass the exam.

  I can agree on the poor operating part of it...and this is for both
new and long time hams in the central Arkansas area. Some say that "you
have to handle them with kid gloves". The heck with kid gloves...take
them off, and slap them around a bit. If one does not correct these hams
(new or long-time) of their poor operating habits (even if it hurts their
feelings), they'll keep on doing it. And that is driving more people away
from ham radio, when people hear this on scanners, etc. Once is an
accident...twice is questionable...more than that, they should know 
better. I have called down hams on the air for poor operating...and have
done so to "repeat offenders". While all of us were beginners in ham 
radio at one time, The Wouff Hong, Rettysnitch, and Ugerumpf need to be
applied to these "lids".

  Never mind all the bickering, club politics, etc. around here...which
soured me to the point that I'm not longer involved in any Arkansas club.
However, I am a Life Member of Courage Handi-Hams, and ARRL. While one
may not agree with everything ARRL does, they are the voice of ham radio
in Washington, DC...trying to protect our frequencies from those entities
and businesses that want to take them away from us.

Daryl, WX1DER

... Apathy Error: Strike any key...or none, for that matter.
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