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| Sunset Saturday Evening At W6AB Satellite Amateur Radio Club |
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| 2013 ARRL DX International DX CW Zone Distribution |
I'm learning to love the unpredictability of propagation because each event stands alone sometimes defying our prognosticators. I'm hunting for the one RadioSport moment when everything comes together for an epic weekend leaving the Dawgs totally zombified and mentally in a coma.
Numbers Count
The telling story is the number of number ones inside my zone distribution table. Additionally, the sub-plot inside last weekend's RadioSport reality show is zone groupings into major population centers like 14, 15, 16 (Europe); 7, 8, 9 (Central America and Caribbean Basin); 10, 11, 12 (South America); and 25 (Japan).
By far, when JA-stations decide to participate in an event, there is a clear contribution to the success of North American scores on the West Coast. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to log a substantial number of 100, 50, 5, and 1 watt systems from various locations inside Japan. Potentially, and I know this to be true, antenna systems coupled with RadioSport grade transceivers, must see and hear to this level of sensitivity.
Numbers Tell A Different Story
For example, when Sunday arrived, I anticipated Saturday like conditions instead it was like the event went off the cliff. Perhaps, a variable to begin looking at in earnest, "Why is Sunday activity nearly less than half of that of Saturday?"
Is everyone feeling it from king watt to rookie?
Potentially, and I return to my bigger picture symptom of things to come for RadioSport, "Yes, newly minted licensees are increasing however participation at the level of high frequency is not."
Certainly, increasing the number of licensed North American Amateur Radio operators is good news but for whom?
Ripple Isn't Cheap Whine
The ripple more than likely effects all of us across most niches in the hobby, from manufacturing of innovative transceivers at affordable price points, to purchasing of antenna systems including associated accessories. In essence, profitable markets to support ham radio businesses may exist at subsistence level or contract to the point where the small business operator permanently shutters.
What will this mean for you?
Perhaps, this explains why the price point for the Kenwood TS990, seems absurd to most however, makes complete sense for the manufacturer. You only need to sell one TS990 to cover the complete cost of manufacturing five lower priced transceivers. Additionally, for example, you only need to employ two technicians instead of four, to realize profit while reducing labor cost as well?
However, as our future approaches, even this business model has its limitations. Additionally, I haven't read anything about the disconnect between newly minted licensees and high frequency activity in QST and advertisement revenue more than likely feeds into their margin of sustainability, as well.
In Sum
I'm enjoying the fruits of RadioSport growth through the late 1970s when Amateur Radio reached its popularity zenith on high school, college, and university campuses. Our statesmen are the "who's who" as giants in today's game however nothing last forever. Eventually, a new cohort will rise up to eclipse the current generation, will there be the same numbers when the torch is eventually passed?
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.