Tom...   
      
    TW@> That is what is Wronmg with Todays Ham Radio. Working 2 metersd over   
    TW@> the Internet is NOT Ham radio.   
      
     Unfortunately for me, I live in an apartment complex where antennas are   
   PROHIBITED...period. A management shake-up a few months back necessitated   
   that.   
      
     Where I live, all of the residents are disabled in some way (I have been   
   fully disabled for over 8 years), and if someone walked by with a defective   
   pacemaker, oxygen tank, or power chair...with my antenna next to the window,   
   keying up could've killed them. I didn't want to risk that liability, let   
   alone possibly losing everything I had, and going to jail for manslaughter.   
      
     But, declining health has made me cut back on ham radio extensively. The   
   good thing about the apartment complex is that each apartment is handicapped   
   accessible...and with the severeity of the arthritis and other health issues   
   that I have, that is more important than ham radio or BBSing. I use either a   
   cane or walker on a regular basis...and may soon have to consider using a   
   wheelchair. I can no longer drive to areas outside of Pulaski County (where   
   Little Rock is), and it's just as hard to ride to these areas for a hamfest,   
   license exam session, etc.   
      
     Besides, if I violate the rules in the lease, I risk being evicted, and    
   being on a fixed income (just barely over $1000 a month), makes it rather    
   difficult to consider moving. I just got out of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy late    
   last year (had to file it, when I had 5 surgeries in 1 year); I don't want    
   to go down that road again.   
      
     I still help with a license exam session on occasion, and check into a few   
   nets on Echolink (single user setup), D-Star (DV Dongle), and Packet via   
   Telnet. However, because of the antenna prohibitions, it's either operate   
   this way, or not at all. And, if one can't get on the air at all, what is   
   the point of getting into amateur radio in the first place??   
      
    TW@> Also the Mindless one Day in at 8 and out at 5 with yuor Licence is   
    TW@> producing thoudands of Hams that have NO Idea what it is all about.   
      
     That's why I recommend Ham Test Online, to those studying for a new   
   license, or for an upgrade. You are actually learning something, and not   
   just memorizing answers. I went from Technician to General in 14 days,   
   and to Amateur Extra 13 days later. It was the best money I ever spent   
   in ham radio. I encourage those at hamfests, or at license exam sessions   
   to spend their money and time with Ham Test Online. They do offer a money   
   back guarantee, and only about 1% of all who've purchased the service    
   have asked for a refund. Also, in using Ham Test Online, I recommend 2   
   hours per day for 2 weeks in study time...or they'll never pass the exam.   
      
     I can agree on the poor operating part of it...and this is for both   
   new and long time hams in the central Arkansas area. Some say that "you   
   have to handle them with kid gloves". The heck with kid gloves...take   
   them off, and slap them around a bit. If one does not correct these hams   
   (new or long-time) of their poor operating habits (even if it hurts their   
   feelings), they'll keep on doing it. And that is driving more people away   
   from ham radio, when people hear this on scanners, etc. Once is an   
   accident...twice is questionable...more than that, they should know    
   better. I have called down hams on the air for poor operating...and have   
   done so to "repeat offenders". While all of us were beginners in ham    
   radio at one time, The Wouff Hong, Rettysnitch, and Ugerumpf need to be   
   applied to these "lids".   
      
     Never mind all the bickering, club politics, etc. around here...which   
   soured me to the point that I'm not longer involved in any Arkansas club.   
   However, I am a Life Member of Courage Handi-Hams, and ARRL. While one   
   may not agree with everything ARRL does, they are the voice of ham radio   
   in Washington, DC...trying to protect our frequencies from those entities   
   and businesses that want to take them away from us.   
      
   Daryl, WX1DER   
      
   ... Apathy Error: Strike any key...or none, for that matter.   
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