September - October 2026
September - October 2026
 WIA Member Digital Edition Download
Editorial
HAM RADIO IS DYING!
Shouts the heading in a social media post, supporting an alarming postulation along the lines of “. . unless we get more slash enough youngsters, CBers, electronics enthusiasts, hardware hackers, et al . . it’ll die in our lifetime.” Similar memes are found on YouTube, couched in tones ranging from conspiratorial whispers through thundering high dudgeon to deep, brow-wrenching resentment. All from wizened OMs through to boy-splaining youfs. Such practitioners might be known as “heart veins” – aortas – in that, following the klaxon postulate, they generally move on with ‘ey oughta do (. . . this, that and a whole lot of other), scattering incoherent blame for the disquieting situation they identify.
Curiously, this moribund theme is mirrored across many non-work interests and hobby pursuits, from lawn bowls to ocean fishing, even philately, year-in and year-out. I have found similar reflections (perhaps put more politely) in the pages of past issues of AR magazine going back decades. Yet somehow, ham radio has persisted, evidenced by my attendance at the Brisbane VHF Group last month where I heard an invigorating talk on long-term observations of tropospheric propagation and members’ plans for the Spring Field Day. Likewise, even though everyday mail has declined due to email, text and other digital communication, postal services worldwide continue to issue new stamps, and millions of collectors are apparently known to remain active globally.
A financial futures firm estimates the global market to be over US$350 million. Seemingly, no longer a hobby pursuit.
Otherwise, I’m buoyed by the fact that you can still buy archery equipment and join archery clubs, yet the “tools of the trade” were rendered useless for their original purpose (warfare, hunting for food) centuries ago, except in the case of some indigenous societies. Archery was a world force (well, European) between perhaps the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the end of the 100 years war in 1453. And yet, it remains.
The Australian Sports Commission estimates that some 46,000 Australians participate in formally organised archery at least once a year, socially or competitively. That number comprises roughly 41,000 adults and 5,000 children. Of the adults, about 27,500 are men and 14,000 women. This doesn’t include bowhunting or informal unregulated target archery, for which there are many detractors. Let’s not make too many parallels with amateur radio. Archery also has its detractors running similar memes to those above for ham radio, that the sport is dying because they observe or experience particular aspects of archery are disappearing or declining. It seems archery clubs are not immune to the conflicts apparent in some amateur radio clubs, but not in others. Some critically observant practitioners see decline when, in reality, what’s happening is change. And yet, archery persists.
The French writer and social critic Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr commented in 1849, that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” To me, that quite succinctly sums up the response to the observed detractions, the ills, of both archery and ham radio. It seems to me that the underlying positive conclusion to be drawn is, regardless of the focus of your pursuits, keep on keeping on, do what feeds your interests. Consistency and intrinsic motivation applied over time will win the day.
Table Of Contents
Technical
 80/40 transceiver for Foundation operators and new-hand constructors Part 4 -Lou Destafano VK3AQZ
Practical electrical and magnetic, field measurements over 1.8-30 MHz - Craig Harrison VK2ACH
General
Listen-in to the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race this year - Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
A tribute to Phil Harman VK6PH/ex VK6APH, G3WXO SK - Steve Ireland VK6VZ, G3ZZDV
Whenever we call CQ, say thanks to James Clerk Maxwell - Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
6m – The Magic Band - Steve Gregory VK3ZAZ, VK3OT
Six, a lifelong passion - Peter Sumner VK5PJ, VK8ZLX
70yrs of TV in Australia, but hams beat the broadcasters by seven years - Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
Page Last Updated: Thursday, 08 Oct 2026 at 15:13 hours by Webmaster
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