A modern Elmer story

  A lot of people have been making the claim that the 
  internet is what has destroyed the numbers of Amateur 
  Radio operators. "It's too easy for them to just chat 
  with people all over the world, what do they need 
  Amateur Radio for?" I've also seen the internet help 
  the numbers in Amateur Radio. Remember, the internet 
  is just another communication tool, like the 
  telephone to be used as any other communication tool 
  we have.

  I met Chris, on one of the myriad of internet chat 
  rooms one can find. I casually mentioned I was doing 
  Amateur Radio and the next thing I knew, I was 
  fielding questions left right and centre from Chris. 
  I showed her web pages, I helped her find study 
  materials, I helped her find a local club using the 
  same internet some of us blame for the lack of number 
  of Amateur Radio operators! I answered her questions 
  the best I could via e-mail and online. The next 
  thing I knew, she had passed her technician (KE5EJD). 
  This is a woman in Amarillo Texas, miles and miles 
  from me in Ottawa Canada.

  Chris has just finished her first field day and is 
  now working on her general, so she has HF privileges 
  for next year. Now, how is the internet killing 
  Amateur Radio again?

  (copyright 2005 Diane Bruce, VA3DB)