In a way never before envisioned the world is being linked together. Schools and libraries are linked, friends are exchanging messages around the globe, and many missionaries who once depended on ham radio have now turned to computers and fax machines as their primary communication means with friends and families back home. Like a sailboat on a lake being left behind by a speedy power boat, our hobby has fallen behind the in the area of communications. Even though sailing is pleasurable and a sailor can take considerable pride in his knowledge of it, the truth of the matter is that the quickest, most reliable way from one side of the lake to the other is via motor boat, not sailboat. Beyond that, there is the satisfaction that when the hurricanes and earthquakes knock out the telephone lines and cellular phones we know we can still get through.
Ham radio is fun, challenging, and absolutely necessary at times.
To be sure, this is no obituary for NARF or amateur radio. Gradually, NARF has found itself out of the loop. Then again, it just might be possible to recapture our vision of providing a link between the missionary and home. It seems that some missionaries have computers, e-mail, and the like but the folks at home do not. Instead of seeing ourselves as an amateur radio group only, we must remember that our first calling is communications.