Resurgence....... hmmmmmm
I think the stalwarts that really loved it and hang on from solar peak to peak.... I think they will come back until there are no more of them.
Attracting any new ones in to keep it going???
I'm not as sure.......
Yup.
Going to try some out-loud thinking here:
Having someone to talk to (seems the first conceptual barrier). Using Radio as a Phone likely is the model for imagination we encounter.
The truck driver friends of mine I’ve lately urged to upgrade to SSB understand without explanation the value of
almost any Radio beats nothing at all. They each of them have driven for over twenty years and have reasonable expectations about
airwaves traffic as it has pertained to AM-19.
SSB hasn’t been much of a stretch to explain as
there are plenty of men interested in making things work. Cars, scooters, etc.
They’re more than halfway, already.
Having someone at home with whom to
attempt conversation is also easy as they come inbound from a trip. That state or nationally. The long and the short distance
proof
The other (and sometimes overlapping group) with which I’ve some familiarity is those with camping RVs. Where it’s easy to outline just 11-Meter as basis for someday
something more (Amateur licensure).
I think that last the most important. A guy can get a start with a base or mobile installation of CB Radio with an eye towards the promise of
WWDX!
These two groups are really one type.
For the
average American it seems like one is selling home canning equipment. Tom knows it’s a good idea (like a vegetable garden), but he’s already in hoc for too much else.
And the alarm for a Netflix show just went off.
Those with teenagers at home (or suitably-aged grandchildren) are maybe the next easiest group. One does feel the urge that they get our best.
Especially as they watch us
learn-to-learn. Childhood is studying what parents do. Call ahead, and get them to see how far out they can receive Grandpa as he’s inbound.
So my thoughts have been more of an equipment list.
Stuff, versus the intangibles.
But not a price tag.
Gear might get installed in vehicles, let’s say. But it’s then subject to damage from commuter coffee spills or drive-thru sustenance; from
really young children’s curiosity or Fido jumping around while being left inside.
Worst is theft for being disheartened.
I don’t think it a hard sell that if phone service goes dead one weekday afternoon at evening rush hour — and Papa wants Mama to have a Radio in her car — hell, he will snap together a base station antenna all on his own. Done deal.
Problem is the family vehicles (I think). Not so easy to install or store radio gear anymore.
I’ve posted several times about using an Apache-brand transport case to safely store radios, accessory gear and spares. A PVC tube to carry an antenna.
But who drives a sedan with capacious trunk? Secure storage for a slew of life’s pursuits.
Anyone remember the portable bar a salesman might carry? Part of camping while growing up was my Dads funny observations about ol’ Joe taking a snort from a bottle kept under the spare tire while Momma got the kids to bed.
Plenty of room for a square case & round tube next to that tire.
Solving “where to keep gear” it gets used as desire lights up, is a description that takes care of the price-tag problem.
I’d bet nearly everyone has gear associated with an after-work pursuit.
1). How to store mobile radio gear (isn’t that hard).
2).
Where to store it,
is. As it’s going to wind up at the bottom of the closet or moved to rented storage but quick.
No convenient sedan trunk.
If we posit the SUV as being the most likely vehicle owned, then would
a nice portable trunk also carrying roadside breakdown equipment plus a Bug Out Bag be the “solution”?
Description of “how” portable or mobile radio
fits in the life they already lead without making it extra baggage seems like the battle.
A). Utility is obvious.
B). Hand-held can’t do it all
C). Where to put it away it doesn’t get damaged, stolen or lost,
but is still right at hand for use, sure seems to me like “an answer”.
An answer that oils the hinges to imaginations door.
Pictures of such a trunk with radio transport case inside (plus other gear) would be Step One.
Open. Install. Transmit.
.