It would appear that amateur radio is mainly a hobby for older men, often with more disposable income than many. The hobby still attracts very few women and few young people. This may be different as I write this with a UK bias.
If we extrapolate to the next solar maximum in about 2035, many current amateurs will be dead, incapacitated, in care homes and NOT buying new rigs. The inevitable consequence is amateur radio is no longer a profitable business for many manufacturers or dealers. They will leave our market or go out of business, As I have said before, many magazines depend on a very few dealers to stay viable. I can see some magazines and dealers folding or magazines being published less often, digital only or smaller physically.
Many will say we have to attract and keep younger people. Perhaps.
There is little doubt that amateur radio is changing.
My own view has been for some time that amateur radio as we knew it will disappear. PTTs will want to wash their hands of it, so deregulation will be the order of the day.
My prediction? Amateur radio will combine with CB, amateur radio will become deregulated, fewer magazines , fewer dealers, manufacturers and national societies. Experimenters will continue in some other way.
1 comment:
I predict the same. Amateurradio will merge with CB and other free radio freqs. There will be no need for a licence or you just buy a licence. Calls will not be given by the government but by radioclubs. You have to accept any incoming noise and/or disturbance from any appliance. And there will be no limit on power output. Ah well, the future. Most of todays radio amateurs will not experience it. 73, Bas
Post a Comment