 |
| Ham Radio Outlet (L) Eric, K6EJC (Manager), Scot, KA3DRR, and Mark, N6MGM (Sales) |
 |
| Loews Hollywood |
Kimberly and I concluded a recent business trip into Hollywood and I couldn't pass on the opportunity to visit Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) in Burbank, California.
TS990 Big Iron
I wanted to physically touch Kenwood's new flagship transceiver TS990 or affectionately nicknamed Big Iron for its dials, knobs, displays, and weight. Mark, N6MGM mentioned that HRO is waiting for its own demonstration model to arrive sometime in the near future? In the meantime, Kenwood is now taking pre-orders for Big Iron with each respective transceiver factory built then shipped.
We both agreed, the deal is connecting the TS990 into an antenna system, then letting technical specifications go to work in real time. I'm sure Kenwood isn't going to disappoint and, hopefully, I'll meet Big Iron during the next trip into Los Angeles?
Asking Questions
On the other hand, I spoke with Mark, N6MGM to gather first person information about activity in the basin, after all; Los Angeles is one of the nation's most populated metropolitan areas. He is a volunteer examiner for one of the local clubs as well and Mark has a good grasp on the numbers.
Basically, the sales of VHF/UHF radios continue outpacing that of HF transceivers, typically; the units are hand held within the few hundred dollar range. The ratio, given anecdotal evidence, suggest fifteen hand helds to every one HF transceiver (15:1), on the West Coast. Our unscientific ratio climbs further when measured against that of the East Coast suggesting a 30:1 ratio.
Mark explained it like this, "The difference is in the ability to connect with another person and the effort required to engineer an HF station."
Effect Of 21st Century
Potentially, community regulation of antenna systems, proximity of Amateur Radio equipment to electronic devices, and Internet ubiquity are variables for consideration. The suggested bottom line, at least from my perspective, our hobby is competing against every known wireless device and the appeal of real time communications via the Internet.
That's nothing new for ham radio.
Incentive
Mark and I reached an understanding that the difference between UHF/VHF and HF is a matter of incentive given anywhere, anytime communications. What is the incentive for an HF station when I can connect anywhere, anytime through inter- and intra-linked communication systems like D-Star or IRLP? Likewise, the motivation for awards like Worked All States, DX Century Club, or Worked All Continents aren't as personally appealing unlike previous decades.
What is important is an ability to connect anywhere, anytime and HF cannot always guarantee such a connection given the vagaries of propagation. It is especially irksome for a newly minted Technician or General licensee living in a regulated community.
Re-thinking Traditional Norms
We agreed that new incentives need to drive HF operation that reach beyond traditional norms like dipole into a tree with coax hanging out the window, stealth wire antennas, or the franchise of station efficiency awards. The new cohort is asking more of HF given stiff competition from other modes like D-Star, IRLP, and Internet social networks, too mention a few examples.
It isn't enough anymore to expect immediate HF operation because traditional norms as I experienced as a young novice in the late 70s are competing against residential regulations, real time communications through the Internet, and inertia.
Conclusion
What will new incentives look like? Can they be tied in with digital modes like PSK31 or JT65? Will digital communications act as the bridge to furthering one's HF experience with its inherent link to the computer?
I want to thank Mark, N6MGM and Eric, K6EJC for an insightful ham radio experience while visiting HRO in Burbank, California.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.