73 AMATEUR RADIO

Magazine Overview

Title: 73 AMATEUR RADIO
Issue: #355
Date: April 1990
Publisher: A WGE Publication
Country: USA
Price: USA $2.95, CAN $3.95

This issue of 73 Amateur Radio, the International Edition, focuses heavily on the amateur radio community's activities and concerns. The cover prominently features "Dayton!" indicating a significant coverage of the Dayton Hamvention, a major gathering for radio enthusiasts. The collage on the cover visually represents various aspects of the hobby, from satellite communication and mobile radio setups to the bustling atmosphere of a ham radio swap meet.

Letters Section

The "Letters" section provides a platform for readers to share their experiences, ideas, and feedback. Gregory R. McIntire KEOUV from Belle Fourche, South Dakota, shares a practical modification for electric blankets, creating a DC power supply to reduce electromagnetic field exposure, humorously noting potential benefits for "dislocated brain cells." Wayne, the editor, acknowledges the ingenuity of this solution and its cost-effectiveness.

Roy Ekberg WOLIQ from Brownsville, Texas, suggests that amateur radio could be integrated into the Boy Scouts' new socially oriented direction, proposing it as a way to recruit younger members and compensate for the decline of ham radio support in school systems. He believes national leadership in the Scouts could implement such programs.

Bill Discipio N1GWR/AE from Hampstead, New Hampshire, responds to Wayne's editorial about Africa. He defends the educational standards in some African countries, citing his experience teaching in junior-high school. He advocates for seeking out high schools in these countries during DXpeditions and collaborating with technical volunteers to introduce amateur radio clubs, thereby fostering technical education and potentially encouraging future development.

Leslie Varnicle WA3QLW from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, writes about her experiences as a YL (Young Lady) in ham radio and electronics, confirming Wayne's observations about the treatment of females and minorities. She holds advanced licenses and works as a Radio Telecommunications Specialist for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). She also mentions her role as Net Manager for MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) amateur radio nets, highlighting their existence and open nature for discussions on UFOs.

Editor's Response and UFOs

Wayne responds to Leslie Varnicle's letter, acknowledging her MUFON work and reiterating his theory that UFOs might be more involved with time travel than alien visitation, suggesting this could explain their careful avoidance of close contact to prevent altering the future. He mentions an upcoming trip to Poland and Czechoslovakia.

Amateur Radio's Image and Newcomers

Deith Belongia from Racine, Wisconsin, discusses the challenges faced by newcomers to amateur radio. He expresses a desire for a no-code ticket, noting that the Morse code requirement deters many potential enthusiasts. He criticizes the common practice of "radio reports" (e.g., discussing equipment) on the air, finding it boring and unappealing to younger people. Belongia suggests that amateur radio needs to be more interesting, perhaps through themed nets like those for UFOs, to compete with modern entertainment like home computers and modems. He also points out an "image problem," suggesting that outsiders perceive amateur radio as requiring a college professor's intellect and that public service ads or national TV appearances by prominent hams could help educate the public.

14 MHz Controversy

W.S. Latham AB4PG from DeLand, Florida, addresses the controversy surrounding the 14.275/14.313 MHz frequencies. He describes the situation as a "disgrace" and criticizes the immaturity and loss of temper displayed by some amateurs. He suggests that ignoring provocateurs might be effective. Latham proposes that the amateur community, possibly through the ARRL or FCC, should poll its members to determine majority opinions on frequency usage and net "ownership." He advocates for assigning specific frequencies and times for nets to reduce unintentional QRM (interference) and supports allowing third-party traffic beyond just health and welfare or emergency communications, arguing that limited use would discourage people from investing in equipment and learning to use it.

"Safe" Communication?

Tom Russel NT4H from Portsmouth, Virginia, offers a critique of amateur radio culture in response to a January column. He posits that some individuals are drawn to ham radio not for communication itself, but for the "patina of the 'semi-technical' skills and procedures" that allow them to "pretend to communicate." He draws a parallel to adolescent development where the telephone is used as a tool to practice communication without the risks of face-to-face interaction. Russel suggests that ham radio provides substitutes for genuine personal contact, which can be fun but ultimately lack true communication. He describes ham club meetings as often uninspiring, attributing this to members being uncomfortable with personal contacts and adhering strictly to procedural rules. He notes that attempts to move conversations beyond superficial topics are often met with resistance. Russel expresses enjoyment of Wayne's columns, particularly his challenges to readers and his insights into topics like the American public education system, which he feels has prompted him to consider how he might help improve it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently touches upon the need for amateur radio to adapt to changing times, attract new and younger members, and improve its public image. There's a recurring theme of making the hobby more engaging and relevant, moving beyond technical jargon and equipment talk. The editor, Wayne, appears to champion unconventional ideas and critical discussions, encouraging readers to think and provide feedback, as evidenced by his direct responses and the diverse topics covered in the letters section. The magazine also shows an interest in fringe topics like UFOs, integrating them into the amateur radio community through dedicated nets.