State of the Hobby

From: William Donzelli <aw288_at_osfn.org>
Date: Sat Jul 3 11:07:19 1999

I hope this doesn't become a huge socio-economic discussion, so I will
try to keep it short.

> The industries in many of the foreign countries are quite healthy but the
> admission price (education REQUIRED) is far higher so it's not as easy to
> get in. That also does not allow for retired, people that don't wish to
> work in electrotechnical fields for a living and for some reason far to
> many women.

OK, so the next question: is getting an education (enough to give one a
chance) that tough overseas? It is not hard at all here in the states -
even a communuity college degree will work - I know quite a few that have
gone that route. For this reason, not having an technical education in the
U.S. doesn't hold much water with me - almost none, in fact. And if
getting a similar type of education overseas is about the same - well,
then that holds little water, too.

Anyway, there are ways to make money to support a hobby that do not
involve an education. One can easily make two thousand dollars every
summer at hamfests, selling electronic castoffs - even junk. Fill a box
with caps, switches, tubes, connectors, knobs, etc., and the
homebrewers will come. Yes, they tend to be a cheap lot too, but it adds
up. Anyway, by October, an Altair could be possible - or even a pile of
other machines.

Being a hamfest seller is a GREAT way to get leads, as well.

Of course, I have never been to a radio rally, so things might be
different for sellers.

William Donzelli
aw288_at_osfn.org
Received on Sat Jul 03 1999 - 11:07:19 BST