M1FJU

The Internet seems to divide radio amateurs into those that prefer RF-only communication and those that welcome – or, at least, accept – the networking of VHF and UHF repeaters and gateways, in whatever form that takes, to extend their range if and when desired. Of course, there is always HF to fall back on, but efficient HF aerials take up lots of space, can look conspicuously ugly and are not easily portable.

I am firmly in the second group; I do not care how I communicate as long as I can be sure that I will be communicationg with others who share at least one of my interests. Amateur radio is largely a closed community, in this respect, and one where I can expect to converse intelligently with acquaintances and strangers alike, knowing that we will have at least one common interest. By contrast, I am emphatically not interested in most of the babble which seems to occur on popular, open, internet-only social media platforms!

Apart from extending communication range , radio amateurs also make use of the Internet for all sorts of other purposes. Which clubs do not have a Web page and/or (dare I say it) a Facebook page? How often have you spotted yourself on aprs.fi or checked the range of your HF transmissions using PSK reporter or something similar?

I’m more than happy to use Internet facilities to enhance my radio experience. How about you?