Ham Radio Is Officially Dead in Tennessee

(Photo by Mike Wilson - Creative Commons via QRZ.com)

The amateur radio waves are falling silent... in some areas of Tennessee, it may seem that way. Actually, radio emissions are beginning to change modes. These emissions require different receivers to pick them up. We are going digital. Since "ham" radio began, amateur radio operators (hams) transmitted on every part of their allocated frequency spectrum. Many people wonder about ham radio - is it a hobby, or what?

Engineering revolution

Technology continues to evolve. Many people have an interest in electronics, technology, and communications. These attributes have led many amateur scientists to experiment. Electronic engineering has reaped many benefits from its activity.

The 1990s brought a dramatic expansion for the internet and cellular phones. Regular land-line phones have nearly been eliminated, in favor of "internet" phone systems and cell phones. The ability to easily and quickly connect and communicate with people around the world impacted many people, and potential hams.

(Photo by Snappy Goat via Creative Commons at Snappygoat.com)

A generation of Johnson City hams operating in the 1980s and 90s knew the cell phone and internet would be the end of ham radio. Such prophecies proved short-sighted. The ingenuity of inquisitive minds and amateur engineers/scientists will not be quelled.

I know engineers, they LOVE to change things. - DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Sustainable growth

Amateur radio licenses in the U.S. have grown at a rate of one percent for the past few years. With roughly 7,000 licensees added every year, there are over 700,000 licensed hams in the U.S. (according to the American Radio Relay League, or ARRL). While the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) doesn't track demographics on licensees, the majority are men in their 60s and 70s. Many fear once these baby-boomers die out, the hobby will dissolve with too few young people joining the ranks.

The opinions and outlook on the amateur radio service vary widely. Emerging technologies, like digital, are magnifying such division. While some hams see these as the future of ham radio, others feel these eviscerate the best parts.

As the world continues to change, the spectrum allocated to amateur use isn't. Portions of the radio spectrum allocated for amateur use and experimentation are finite. If they are not used, they could easily be reallocated and sold off for commercial use.

The national association for hams in the United States, the ARRL, is at the forefront of marketing hams. It's the largest ham group in the world, with over 160,000 members. The century-old organization offers education, contests, and technical manuals for its members and potential hams. The ARRL trains hams in emergency communications, to help their communities and other groups during disasters, and lobbies the FCC and other groups to protect the spectrum allocated to the amateur radio service.

Sparking interest

Many technology-minded people in Johnson City are drawn to ham radio as a means of getting hands-on experience and learning about electricity and radio waves. Many young hams find a career in electrical and computer engineering. They attribute their success to an early interest in amateur radio.

The dominating issue continues to be only one in 100 hams are under twenty years of age. As the spotlight has not been on ham radio in a while, interest continues to wane. ARRL sponsors a few child-centered activities, such as kids day events which encourage school radio clubs across the country to contact one another by radio. The ARRL publishes resources for teachers to lead radio-centered classroom activities. At present, resources are limited to high schools as these are limited. These are key in sparking the interest in children.

Limitations

With mentions of ham radios in the movies, such as when it was used to send a critical message to get support in "Transformers", and to coordinate a world-wide response to bring down the aliens in "Independence Day", it's important to be realistic. Potential hams have to be convinced they should just get a license and buy a radio and keep it in a drawer until armageddon strikes.

Sustaining interest is paramount in building skill and creativity. Hams must pass a licensing exam before they can operate, though they can listen without a license if they have a capable radio. Each country requires operators to demonstrate a basic level of technical knowledge and pertinent regulations before a license and call sign are issued. These are all required before you can transmit.

The older draw was to overcome the limits of traditional communications. Those in their 30s and 40s will always have significantly different reasons for being drawn into ham radio than their predecessors. The internet and social media apps have proven themselves as a viable mode of communication, without ham radio.

Currently, we are seeing many people drawn into the amateur service with an interest in community and disaster service. Many community groups have found hams useful in providing communications for marathons, bicycle races, and other such events.

The amateurs who've joined after 9/11/2001 grew up with a lot of technology. They have seen its impact, and how easily technology and communications can be disrupted. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and terrorist events can often play havoc with traditional communications. Ham clubs in Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City have played an important part in mitigation plans with the Department of Health and Emergency Management agencies in Northeast Tennessee.

A new frontier

For technology buffs, many have an interest in space. In fact, there are satellites operated by hams. The International Space Station (ISS) has an Amateur Radio International Space Station (ARISS) program. At most times, at least one astronaut is a ham. The ham station on the ISS is a draw to many amateur enthusiasts and students. It allows people to speak directly to an astronaut in space. There is also a digital transponder on the ISS, letting hams know when they have made contact, whether or not voice communication is possible at the time.

(Photo ARISS courtesy of NASA)

The added benefit of the ARISS program is the development of ground-mounted antennas which are designed to track the ISS. This allows ground stations to receive and transmit to the ISS over longer periods as it transits the horizon. Such ingenuity leads to further creativity and learning. It helps the hobby and hobbyist grow. The expertise gained is a contribution not only to the hobby but to the community as well.

Emergency response

The public is not aware of how amateur radio operators can benefit them in an emergency. It's a surprise when they can plug a kit the size of a cigar box into a computer and the screen becomes a ham radio. Today's technology is being further integrated into the traditional hobby.

A few hams believe the amateur radio service needs to actively seek change for its survival. There are diverging interests, such as analog and digital modes. Others combine technology and modes.

Did you know you can send an e-mail over ham radio? Ever heard of Winlink?

As younger people interact with amateur radio, they can see the benefit of it as a service. Though operators no longer tune into Radio Moscow and other long-distance stations as they once did, technology has changed. The big solid sets of our grandparents are still around, but modern sets hold much more capability and can operate on a wider spectrum. Such advances in technology are normal.

(Photo by kd8bqn via Creative Commons at QRZ.com)

Ham radios are connected to the internet in many areas now. An inexpensive handheld radio can use a local repeater (connected to the internet) to talk to another station connected to the internet... anywhere in the world. High-Frequency (HF) radios and large antennas aren't required to make long-distance radio contact when interfaced with modern technology. You will need to know how to rig a makeshift antenna to get the same results in an emergency - with the proper radio.

Open-source software now allows operators to control a radio by remote from their computer or cell phone. We are in a position where technology can be used to overcome zoning regulations (homeowner association, or local ordinance). Large antennas may be used in an emergency, but in routine use, we can use a technological workaround. The right antenna can make a difference, and it is important to experiment where space and local regulations allow. Field days are perfect times and locations to experiment.

Expansion

As China's economy has grown, the disposable income of their middle class has led to growth in their amateur radio service. The growth has also led to many inexpensive radios on the market. At one time, a low-end amateur two-meter band receiver could be found in the U.S. for around $100. A less expensive model can now be found with more features, such as the Beofeng brand, for less than $50. Such inexpensive radios have led to some new licensees to the amateur service.

Tennessee

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) in Tennessee, began restructuring two years ago. ARES Emergency Coordinators were traditionally long-serving members of the amateur community. Inactive coordinators or those with stagnant local programs are being replaced with hams who are more active in ARES.

"In my 14 years of being in the amateur radio community, I have never heard or seen so much commotion regarding bug-out-bags and emergency communications. I have seen an influx of new amateur radio operators getting their technician license." - Steven Morrell, ARES Emergency Coordinator, Sullivan County, Tennessee

Local Emergency Coordinators help ARES members (volunteers) put together bug-out/deployment bags. Such bags are comprised of radio equipment and ancillary supplies to operate an emergency radio station on the fly, usually with power supply adapters and/or battery packs and an assortment of antennas and coaxial cable.

East Tennessee hams

The airways would appear dead locally, especially on the two-meter band (VHF-High Band... 144 MHz). This is an illusion, as most of the traditional repeaters used on two-meter were analog. These are being transitioned to digital modes that are not picked up by analog receivers. Modes such as C4FM, DMR, and D-Star are seeing more use in the Tri-Cities.

Steven Morrell, Sullivan County ARES Emergency Coordinator, says he has noticed fewer hams are upgrading their license (there are three levels in the U.S. - Technician, General, and Extra) because of the digital modes. Morrell says these are integrated via VoIP (voice-over-internet-protocol) with the internet.

In the past, to communicate outside of the region on ham radio would require an HF radio and a General or Extra class license. Technicians routinely use VoIP technology to talk anywhere in the world with an entry-level license. Programs such as Echolink allow radio operators the ability to use ham radios linked to the internet from any computer, as long as they too have internet coverage.

Continuing saga

It has been said many times over the years - ham radio is dying. The amateur radio service is geared toward experimentation and development to see what can be done using technology. As advances come along, they are integrated. Computers were integrated into ham radio, the internet was integrated, GPS was integrated...

People are curious. Those with an interest in engineering and technology are drawn to experimentation. They love tinkering with gadgets and seeing what can be done. Amateur radio has a satellite component, a television component, and is even used on movies and TV (for dramatic effect). The coolest in my humble opinion... talking to astronauts on the International Space Station.

Personally, I do not see amateur radio going away. I think it will just evolve, as we ourselves have done throughout the ages.

73, DE- KI4FRI (Translation, best regards, this is KI4FRI)

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