I often think back wistfully to the days of programming early microcomputers where each instruction or subroutine you wrote had a direct effect on the hardware. Even the way things appeared on the screen were a direct result of my own coding. Today, Windows manages all input and output and actually prevents the programmer from directly accessing the hardware. In modern programming you never see a machine instruction. It's all done using high-level language commands to set the properties of "objects" - software "black boxes" that simplify and speed up complex programming tasks but hide the mechanics of their operation. You couldn't write modern software the old way, but I still miss the simplicity of early computing.
I have pretty similar reasons for being concerned at what developments like SDR and D-Star will do to the ham radio hobby. The technology is so complex that the average amateur will have no understanding of how they work, only how to use them. I miss the days when you could open a schematic and follow the path of a signal from one end to the other.
Of course, you can still buy kits to build simple radios. I hope that there will always be a place in our hobby for simple, analogue radios that the average amateur can understand, and I don't mean just in a museum.
I don't think you need worry Julian.
ReplyDeleteMost hams still use old technology, at least from my visits to various ham shacks.
When one focuses on certain technologies it can appear as if that device is ubiquitous, but in my experience the vast majority of hams still use radio in conventional ways.
There will always be the "progress means high-tech" brigade, but in the end, being a hobby after all, most hams just stick with the status quo.
SSB, FM voice, CW and soundcard digital modes have, and will continue to have, the lions share of activity.
The boutique "gee whiz" modes will remain as playthings for the minority, who - as is generally the case in all things - shout the loudest.
The majority of hams however, just pass them by, until the inevitable day when the "progressives" get tired of talking to each other and join the majority.
As regards SDR, most hams don't even use CAT control of their rigs - a standard function - less use SDR radios. I think we are safe for from this complication for a while longer.
If only i'd kept my old games consoles they were great. How are you Julian? my blog is on my website.. http://www.cornishconnect.co.uk/radio-blog.html 73 for now..
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