Gareth,
Interesting. In response:
> Amateur radio is not a hobby
That may have been true in the past, but no longer, I'm afraid.
According to clear statements on the websites of Ofcom, ARRL, RSGB and others, it's a hobby. I'm happy to forward you some URLs if you're in doubt.
Further, Section 1(1)(b) of the Ofcom licence clearly states that use of radio equipment is "as a leisure activity" - a hobby is defined as "an activity done regularly in one's leisure time"
> Amateur radio has not changed at all
We'll have to agree to disagree on that. Amateur Radio has changed massively over the last 40 years. If you took a snapshot of what the world of amateur radio was in 1979 and compared it to today, there are massive differences in what the landscape looks like. Technologies have changed, but so have attitudes, society, licensing, education. Where once amateur radio was a qualification and every rig was hand-built - that's no longer true. You may personally not agree with the way it's changed, but for the vast majority of the world, it has.
> There is no need to attract people or promote amateur radio
I note you didn't answer my "how would you like the hobby to look". Presumably, if you don't believe in getting new people on-board, that people entering post 2003 shouldn't count, or that it's a good idea to tell people that amateur radio still exists, then you'd be happy for amateur radio to shrink year-on-year until it's just a memory?
I note you didn't answer two questions:
> How do you respond to the statement that the hobby is fast becoming out-of-date, its best days are behind it, we've not kept up with current tech trends
My guess is as you don't think amateur radio or society has changed, there's no need for change or innovation, and it's fine to be seen as increasingly out-date and irrelevant?
> Do you feel that the hobby should evolve alongside current technology developments, and be ready for what I gather's being called the 4th industrial revolution? If so, how could this be achieved?
Presumably, see above.
Pete M0PSX
Pete M0PSX