73 Amateur Radio Today

Magazine Overview

Title: 73 Amateur Radio Today
Issue: #467
Date: September 1999
Publisher: 73 Amateur Radio Today
Country: USA
Price: USA $3.95, Canada $4.95

This issue of 73 Amateur Radio Today focuses on the preparations of Art Bell, host of the popular talk show "from the Kingdom of Nye," for the upcoming Y2K crisis. It also delves into the concerning decline in amateur radio licensing and explores potential reasons and solutions.

Art Bell W6OBB Gets Ready for Y2K

The lead story highlights Art Bell, known for his coast-to-coast talk show broadcast from Nye County, Nevada. Bell is preparing for the Y2K crisis by setting up an emergency generator, solar power, and wind power backup systems to ensure his broadcast can continue even if the power grid fails. The article notes that his show airs late at night and early in the morning, making it difficult for those with standard 9-to-5 jobs to listen live. However, the author, Wayne Green, recommends recording the show using a VCR and a cable, or his "Bell Saver Kit," for later listening. Bell's show covers a wide range of topics, including UFOs, time travel, and alien technology. Bell also hosts his program from his home in Pahrump, Nevada, and offers live video streaming and listening options via his website, www.artbell.com. Wayne Green has been a guest on Bell's show five times.

Plummeting: The Decline of Amateur Radio Licenses

Wayne Green expresses significant concern over the state of amateur radio, pointing out a drastic drop in new licenses issued. He states that license numbers have decreased by almost 50% in the last two years, and license upgrades are also down by a similar percentage. Green projects that if current trends continue, the hobby could see a complete collapse around 2010. He places the responsibility for preserving the hobby on the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), criticizing their perceived inaction. Green argues that the FCC views amateur radio as an "expensive nuisance," and ham radio manufacturers are unorganized and seemingly indifferent to the hobby's survival. He believes the ARRL must take decisive action, including rebuilding the high school radio club infrastructure that was dismantled in 1964, which he identifies as the hobby's largest source of new members. Green acknowledges the challenge of competing with modern distractions like the Internet and emphasizes the need to make amateur radio seem "cool" to teenagers.

A Slight Tinkering

Green criticizes the ARRL's approach to addressing the hobby's issues, describing their recommendations to the FCC as "a slight tinkering." He questions what it will take to alert the ARRL directors to the severity of the situation and urges older amateurs to recognize that the world has changed and that significant changes are necessary for amateur radio to survive. He contrasts this with the situation fifty years ago when amateur radio served a clear purpose in providing engineers and technicians.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for the preservation and revitalization of amateur radio. The editorial stance is critical of the ARRL's current leadership and strategies, calling for bold action rather than minor adjustments. There is a clear emphasis on the need to attract new, younger members to the hobby and to adapt to the changing technological landscape, particularly with the rise of the internet. The Y2K preparedness of a prominent radio personality like Art Bell also underscores the relevance of radio communication in emergency situations. The magazine positions itself as a platform for discussing these critical issues and proposing solutions for the future of amateur radio.