I'm not into HAM radio, but I noticed a long time ago that HAM radio seemed to share a strong link with BBSing as a hobby, and, though perhaps to a lesser extent, to the use of Linux. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into why these interests seem so strongly linked.

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Re: Why is there such a strong link between HAM radio and BBSs?
By: Doctor Who to All on Wed Feb 24 2016 21:00:44

I'm not into HAM radio, but I noticed a long time ago that HAM radio seemed to share a strong link with BBSing as a hobby, and, though perhaps to a lesser extent, to the use of Linux. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into why these interests seem so strongly linked.

There's definitely a link, but it mostly flows in one direction. The percentage of BBS enthusiasts who are also into ham radio is much greater than the percentage of amateur radio operators who even know what a BBS is.

Though there are plenty of fundamental differences, the two hobbies do have some similar characteristics. Both are ultimately about communication, interaction, exchanging information. Each offers plenty of things to tinker with, and different areas on which you can focus your interest. On that level it makes sense that a number of people are interested in both.

It's also worth noting that the ham radio world has its own stripped down version of the BBS. There are plenty of not-very-active BBSes that you can connect to via packet radio, some of which are also connected to the internet.

There's a lot of amateur radio software available for Linux, but Windows is also a popular platform in that realm. I would guess that there are far more Windows than *nix users there, particularly among the older operators - but I don't really know. Either way most of the software is ugly and just kinda gets the job done.

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Doctor Who wrote to All <=-

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I'm not into HAM radio, but I noticed a long time ago that HAM radio seemed to share a strong link with BBSing as a hobby, and, though
perhaps to a lesser extent, to the use of Linux. I was wondering if
anyone had any insight into why these interests seem so strongly
linked.

All of these hobbies require some level of technical skill amd leave room to do your own thing and create something unique. All of them involve communication in some form too. Ham radio definitely has a communicating aspect, BBSs have message areas (and sometimes real time chat), Linux users and the open source movement are constantly communicating.
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echicken wrote to Doctor Who <=-

@VIA: VERT/ECBBS
It's also worth noting that the ham radio world has its own stripped
down version of the BBS. There are plenty of not-very-active BBSes
that you can connect to via packet radio, some of which are also
connected to the internet.

Interestingly, my first "omline" experience was not on the Internet or even a BBS, but on packet radio. It was 1991, and the first packet "wormhole" (what today would be called a "tunnel", i.e.a VPN without encryption) in VK3 was established. Through the wormhole, I was able to connect to a conference bridge somewhere in Texas and chat to amateirs all over the world in real time, IRC style. :) I was very active on packet radio back then.

There's a lot of amateur radio software available for Linux, but
Windows is also a popular platform in that realm. I would guess that there are far more Windows than *nix users there, particularly among
the older operators - but I don't really know. Either way most of the software is ugly and just kinda gets the job done.

Depends what aspect of the hobby you're dealing with. SOme aspects are better supported by Windows, others are better supported on Linux.
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Re: Why is there such a strong link between HAM radio and BBSs?
By: Doctor Who to All on Wed Feb 24 2016 09:00 pm

I'm not into HAM radio, but I noticed a long time ago that HAM radio seemed to share a strong link with BBSing as a hobby, and, though perhaps to a lesser extent, to the use of Linux. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into why these interests seem so strongly linked.

They're all experimental technical hobbies.

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Re: Why is there such a strong link between HAM radio and BBSs?
By: Doctor Who to All on Wed Feb 24 2016 09:00 pm

I'm not into HAM radio, but I noticed a long time ago that HAM radio seemed to share a strong link with BBSing as a hobby, and, though perhaps to a lesser extent, to the use of Linux. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into why these interests seem so strongly linked.

i'm in midwest usa and in the bbs days i didnt experience any connection with ham radio and bbsing (other than fidonet echos).
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