I read an article that said the Internet temporarily killed the movement of Ham Radio but it has come roaring back.
“temporarily killed”
I think it had an effect, but when the FCC turned the licensing exams over to volunteer examiners they made licensing a lot easier to accomplish.
In 1976 I made two trips to the Dallas Field office on Commerce Street to take my first 2 license exams. Came out of the 2nd one with my Advanced License, held that until I passed my Extra in 1985. Got my Commercial license in 2000.
Have not been that active for last 15-20 years. Caring for sick family members took priority. In last 6 months, we have formed a local ham club and are planning a repeater system here in the middle of the Big Nothing. Along with that a plan for teaching classes and doing exams.
It should help the presence build here.
I was living in NM when I got my first license. Many of my Ham friends worked at the labs or military bases in the region. It was a great place to learn.