11/18/2024
I am going to start a series on my Instagram story called “GRIFT or GOOD VALUE”. I’ll simply introduce a topic, product, or person and allow you guys to weigh in on a poll. The objective is to generate a discussion around products that prioritize profitability over quality, capability, originality, or substance.
Over time, I’ve seen more and more things in the radio space attempt to pass as something they’re not. Whether it be unqualified instructors presenting bum curriculums from a position of supposed authority, or products which are just repackaged old technology as a cheap way to score a quick buck off consumers. As a community of people broadening our collective horizons to the topic of RF, there are ever increasing threats to our personal and professional development by incorrect or worse - intentionally deceitful information which costs our valuable time to learn and then twice as long to unlearn when we see the error of our ways.
For those evangelizing products, the ability to hold a conversation about waveform by its physical layer properties, modulation, multiplexing, the inherent tradeoffs therein, db math and free space path loss, SNR, etc etc etc is the MINIMUM barrier to entry for being able to pass judgement on any radio thing to a public audience. Despite the trash talk HAM radio operators get, many are indeed running circles around you in this regard.
I do not care if this is harsh. This is personal to me - the consequences of zero accountability in this discipline are simply too grave for those who are supported by it.