Couldn't resist and joined the conversation. I guess this topic pops-up every now and then on different forums about electronics/satellite reception.
"Is HAM Radio DEAD in 2019?"
Yes.
Why?
Because of two inventions that completetly killed HAM Radio:
- The Internet
- The Mobile Phone
Also, in Europe, you cannot listen to Police, Fire, Ambulances and other govermental services, as they changed to digital and use encryption.
I remember the 80ies as the prime time of HAM Radio and how I dreamed of one day being able to do it myself: unlimited communications around the world for free! Being able to listen to services communication (Police, Fire, Ambulances,...).
Then the 90ies and first amateur digital communications: sharing mailboxes, pictures, etc., for free!
Then I heard about intercontinetal communications with stratosfere or moon reflection...
Amazing!
Today the facts are:
- You can use the Internet to speak with anyone in the world, secure if you desire, including 3rd world countries.
- You can share documents, pictures, whatever over the Internet - including music and commercial contents (forbidden on HAM communications)
- Mobile phones let you do all that on the go
So, from a traditional HAM point of view, it just does not make sense to setup a huge antenna in the garden (if you have one), invests a lot of money in a transceiver and accessories, so that you can make a contact with a Japanese HAM, with whom you aranged a time and date over the internet...
BUT:
HAM is not really dead! Even I have a valid amateur radio license!
Why? Because I want to be able to experiment and make some transmissions.
I don't want to talk to anyone nor do I want to listen to some boring conversation.
I want to LEARN, UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS, BUILD MY OWN SOFTWARE/HARDWARE. Just for the sake of it.
And this spirit still exists. People just don't have a radio shack in the backyard with a 2.000 Euro/Dollar Yeasu or Icom transceiver.
Instead they have a HackRF, ADALM Pluto or other SDR hardware. They use GNU Radio and listen to ISS or other services with 8 Euro RTL2832U dongles.
And, best of it all, they even don't really need any license: if they do broadcast, then it is with such low power, you cannot measure it through a wall or at 5m distance. So why bother with a license, at all?
My conclusion: Yes - talking on the radio about reception quality is dead (at least in Portugal and probably remaining Europe), but there is a new generation of people interested in RF for totally different reasons, interests and projects.
Regards,
Vitor