Amateur Radio is Dying

[MTS2000des]

And this is probably the reason some people don't feel like getting a license.

anything in life worth having requires effort, energy and time. One gets what one puts into something, or one doesn't get anything at all.
No pain=no gain.

. So if this is what one has to do just to put up a "private" GMRS repeater, than it must be a mess to try and set up a simple ham radio station able to communicate with the "...trained pool of technically proficient operators".

speaking from someone who does LMR for a living, yes, it factually is what it takes to put up GOOD infrastructure and sorry to say, but this is why in the LMR world, we battle interference daily because many lack the technical prowess to be in the business at all. Likewise, GMRS, LMR, ham- all the same best practices and rules of physics apply.

One of the primary reasons hams are granted privileges b the FCC to play with copious amounts of radio spectrum that, today is worth gold, is that hams have proven to be a resource when called upon to assist with things like interference mitigation, support for emergency communications, all while having fun and meeting people. It takes work and effort. It is okay that this is not for everyone as not everyone has the time, skills or desire to invest. A simple test is just the beginning and I don't feel any rule changes are needed just because someone isn't willing to put forth MINIMAL effort to get a basic license. If they aren't willing to invest THAT much, than what will they do to further ham radio?

I can imagine someone being turned off by a response like that.

Those who would get butthurt over statement of simple facts of life in the RF world may have an even tougher time adjusting to interacting with others in a hobby such as but not limited to amateur radio.
Just sayin'.

 

[AK9R]

Since the direction of this thread has veered off to building a GMRS repeater, that discussion can be found here.

The OP's original statement has been debated at length, so, we're done here.