Promoting Amateur Radio

Even more reason to allow Tech class operators to
have access to HF frequencies. A small number of
older operators will protest this but like you
said it does not matter. The majority of the hams
should have some say in their operations. I don't
believe, as you do, that HF is dead, or dying. You don't quote any sources of statistics that prove that
home networks are killing HF, *yet*. While antenna restrictions impact operating habits you show no sources of statistics that prove that antenna restrictions will kill HF operations. You only postulate what *you* believe will happen in the future. As far as the magic of radio is concerned, I still see amazement and awe in very young people who experience amateur DX communications. Children from ages 5 to 13 seem to be genuinely interested to radio when exposed to it. I believe HF and all the other frequencies of Ham Radio can remain viable in the future. The key is basically new blood. We codgers must go out and compete with the internet and other modern wonders of technology. We've got to get to kids at a very young age and set up support groups to help those who want to learn. These groups already exist. Radio clubs. Each club must make recruiting youngsters priority number one. These techs when given their new HF priviledges could be the infusion of new blood needed to ramrod this youth recruitment drive. I believe that you're right about attitude. Our attitude to newcomers will determine our future.