RAC report on the future of Amateur Radio now complete The comprehensive report of the RAC Amateur Radio Outlook Committee is now complete and available for viewing or download on the RAC web site www.rac.ca. The RAC position paper on the future of Amateur Radio grew out of the September 1997 meeting of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union in Beijing: The RAC committee sought input from the Canadian Amateur Radio community on these and related topics, leading to the position paper on the future growth and direction of Amateur Radio. The committee was comprised of Chair, Ken Pulfer, VE3PU; members Dana Shtun, VE3DSS; Doug Leach, VE3XK; Bob Eldridge, VE7BS; Ken Pyke, VE30GM; Barry McLamon, VE3JF. Briefly, the committee concludes that: We are in the midst of a very significant change in Amateur Radio. Many aspects of communications technology which have been around for many years are becoming commercially viable for mass communications, with the result that component and equipment prices are falling, and spectrum demands are skyrocketing. The world is changing and Amateur Radio will either change with it, or be left behind as an historical anachronism. This is a time for optimism, not pessimism. Rarely have there been so many opportunities and challenges for our hobby. The advantages in the new technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Rather than being seen as a threat, the Internet offers unparalleled access to information, and a variety of mechanisms for strengthening and extending traditional radio communications. The role of the IARU on the international scene is rapidly gaining in importance with international standards and international frequency allocations playing an ever-increasing role in the communications industry and the Amateur Service. There will continue to be important aspects of the Amateur Service which are governed by domestic issues and policies. National Amateur Radio societies also have an extremely important role to play in publicizing the public service and educational benefits of Amateur Radio, while protecting our interests within our national boundaries. There is a disconcerting apathy in the Amateur Radio community. Few Amateurs are aware of the changes revolutionizing the hobby, and even fewer are interested in confronting the threats and challenges. Ways must be found of communicating our enthusiasm for what is going on, and engaging our fellow Amateurs in the excitement of the new millennium. We must also direct this enthusiasm towards attracting young people to the hobby, to convince them that Amateur Radio is not an anachronism, and that it remains relevant in the light of new developments in wireless and Internet communications. We must capture their imaginations with new and exciting applications of radio communications. The full report is a meaty, informative and thought-provoking read for all concerned Amateurs about trends and the future of Amateur Radio. Click here for the RAC searchable Fleamarket and Hamfest database BACK TO MAIN MENU For more information email info@kwarc.org [ TOP ] © 1998 Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Club Comments and bugs reports to webmaster@kwarc.org