Joseph, have had general class for most of this time, but with code. Started as novice, but rule was you had to upgrade within 2 years. Was very active all through 7th, 8th and high school building kits and equipment and operating CW. Then after I went away to Yeshiva and college, didn’t have so much time, so became less active. However, for a number of years now, I don’t miss a Field Day, where I can operate CW for many hours straight.
Years ago I was active on one of the repeaters, but stopped when I moved away from that area.
After they diluted the code and licensing requirements, I think the hobby lost much of its luster. They even started publicizing all the possible questions and answers, so you only had to memorize the whole pool. No more calculating and figuring. In my day, you had to go down to the FCC office and they gave the code and theory tests under rigorous conditions. Now it is done at the local ham club and I think it is all multiple choice. All this bothers me, and makes me nostalgic for the old days. (I am not that old, BTW.)
Also with email and cell phones, the draw has been lessened. It is a shame, since I used to think it was the greatest hobby in the world. We live in a different generation. Kids today think they are high tech with all their gizmos, but in fact, they have no clue how they work. It is like telling time. You can read a clock or drive a car without knowing anything about the internal mechanisms. That is where the lomdus and chochma is.
The same is true with chemistry sets, as well. Years ago they came with real chemicals and experiments. Today, most are about vinegar and baking soda. Go to any yeshiva science fair and you will see many projects of that type. The manufacturers are afraid people will drink the chemicals and they will get sued.
Sadly, it is a different ballgame now. In a way, I think the collapse of the economy is partially because we have watered everything down.