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Message: <blockquote data-quote="( deleted account )" data-source="post: 218912" data-attributes="member: 5993">I hate to be the loner here, 2400, but I’ve been a ham operator since 1962, what 57 years. Back then everything was tube construction and largely a do it yourself building your own equipment hobby, or converting WW2 surplus stuff to ham radio frequencies.  You started out with only CW, (Morse code) and had to pass 10 words per minute,then after a year of operating you passed more tests, written and faster speed of CW, and you got more advanced tickets with more privileges.  Then came along solid state hybrid stuff,,solid state transistors, I C’s then printed circuits, then equipment and communication digital modes so that nowadays you simply can’t build your own equipment, other,than antennas, which I still love to build.  Nowadays the future of ham radio is pretty bleak in a lot of ways, with internet and digital modes of communication, cell phones, etc. available so widely. Still, you’ll often find me down  at the lower end of the 20  meter CW band when it’s open, sending 120 year old code thanks to Samuel Morse at speeds faster than even talented kids can Type to text. LOLwhen you get your ticket I’ll call you on an available repeater down there sometime.  Good luck with it!  It’s still a great hobby,,and lots.of public service available,,emergencies (cell phones get unusable, towers go,down,,etc.) portable ham stations easy to,set up, And,skywarn is always looking,for,volunteers. CAP communication, etc. It’s not what it used to be, but then like someone,said “the only thing constant is change!” I started in 1960as VE5KT, the VE7AGP, then VE6KH, then VE6KH/W0 for the last 38 years.  Now an extra??  Heck, I’ve had so many ratings I’ve forgotten my present one.  The top one anyway.Any more of us odd balls on here?  A diminishing fraternity, but  friendly buddies everywhere, and in every country of the world. See an antenna or license plate, walk up, introduce yourself - may not speak the same language, but friends forever!m</blockquote>

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