Nothing could be further from the truth. While there are amateur radio operators out there who enjoy the code and old tube-type radio equipment, there are a vast majority who have the latest state-of-the-art sophisticated radios, some of which are computer-based and software defined. The amateur radio hobby is very little different than say the car hobby. Some like the really old cars from the pre-1920's, some like the classic cars from the 40's and 50's and some will not be satisfied with anything less than the latest offering from the manufactures or people like Chip Foose, the hot-rod/custom car guru.

           
Amateur Radio Operators use every possible bit of technology to create the devices they utilize. Computers are an integral part of most amateur radio stations. Some are even integrated into the transmitters and receivers themselves. The recent spate of advances in the range of Wi-Fi devices owes much to the efforts of amateur radio operators designing antenna systems that enabled these systems to work well at ranges that only a few years ago would be considered science-fiction.

           
It may be a surprise to some non-hams, but many of the devices they think of as "cutting edge" like GPS mapping devices were made possible by amateur radio operators who developed the basic framework for these devices. Programs like "On-Star" from GM and similar systems from other manufacturers are all based on a system called APRS which was developed by a ham radio operator by the name of Bob Bruninga. Even that icon of modernity, the Cell-Phone is really just a two way radio connected to the telephone system, something ham radio operators have been doing for over 50 years with a device called a "Phone-Patch".

           
In fact, it would not be much of a stretch to suggest that most of the technology we take for granted today had it's beginnings as an experiment on the workbench of some ham radio operator, somewhere in the world, sometime in the past.

           
Even in the space program, ham radio has it's place. The International Space Station, and most shuttle missions have an amateur radio mission package in place. One use for that package is to talk to school children all over the world directly from space. Most of the astronauts are amateur radio operators, not only within NASA but within all of the various space programs around the world. One can assume that just as in a disaster situation on earth, should the normal NASA com links to a space vehicle be out of action, amateur radio will be there to restore communications to the spacecraft until repairs can be made.

           
When the public thinks of amateur radio, they should not be thinking of the hobby "in the old days", but what that hobby has evolved to: A state of the art technology demonstrator and training ground for a group of skilled communicators who stand ready to provide the rest of us with reliable communications when all of our "modern" stuff has been put out of action by a storm or other disaster.

Your Amateur Radio License is not the end, it's just the beginning of your learning in amateur radio...