For thousands of engineering retirees between age 70-80 across the world with a beer in one hand an and a microphone in the other, it still is.

Oh, I know. I just meant it pre-dated the internet.

I was being a bit facetious. I think it has always been more about radios and tinkering than it ever was about socializing, although the two meter band is more of a modern day citizen's band and is a good way to chat with random people while on the road.

you need to accessorize
 

You need you a ham radio belt and clock

and a sign for you
 

and a bumpersticker for your wife

My wife might have room for a few more bumper stickers...

When last heard from, MaggieL was still into the ham thing. She mentioned that the test is easier now since you don't have to learn Morse code anymore. (anybody hear from Mags lately?)

Time for morse code versus SMS (WMV). Battle of the centurah!

Is that a belt for homophobic Norse prostitutes?

Oh, I don't know. During the backyard cookout we had for the Delaware Valley Pink Pistols chapter, the neighbor boy and his associated cohort decided it would be a great time for tactical games with their paintball rigs.

I didn't mind much until stray rounds started hitting our gazebo. They might have been more careful if they'd known what percentage of us were packing.

At xob's prodding I'm adding my two $.02 on ham radio; having been otherwise GAFIAted from The Cellar of late.

There's actually a few non-octogenarian hams around, even some relative kids who just think it's a neat arcane toy. There's also a younger cohort enticed by other roles in first-responder contexts. Still others are active in space operations, high-power WiFi or software-defined radio technology

Field Day (a combination contest/emergency drill/camp-out even organized by the ARRL will be happening soon; check your local amateur radio clubs to find out if they'll be participating with a public demonstration.
http://www.arrl.org/contests/announc...007-FD-Pin.gif

Flint: I'm an ARRL Volunteer Examiner, so if there's anything you want to know about the licencing process I can fill you in.

My wife doesn't need a bumper sticker; her callsign is NG3P. :-)

--
Margaret Stephanie Leber CCP, SCJP, SCWCD
http://voicenet.com/~maggie
AOPA 925383 - Amateur Radio Station K3XS - ARRL 39280 - AMSAT 32844
"The art of progress is to preserve order amid change
and to preserve change amid order."-A.N.Whitehead

MAGGIE!

Gone since February?! We've missed you, Mags.

Thanks, maggie.

hello Maggie

Hi Maggie!

Thanks, Maggie.

I knew you couldn't resist this one! . . . I won't even mention the Gun Cult thread with sexy pics of Sean Connery...