HAM Radio Discussion

[Great-Kazoo]

Have to ask, whats with the sudden increase in interest in ham radio, and even echolink? Just curious what compelled many of you to get into it, or start studying this year, and not last year?

Cell phones and land lines go down. During the high park fire hand helds, kept responders in communication with each other. Especially when the cell towers went down, or the area (as with mountainous terrain) was not available.
As 9-11 was unfolding land and cell service was nowhere. IF i was dialed in with the SW community, i could have been in touch with folks back east.