I do agree with Reeva's observations to some extent.  After all, look at the
declining number of repeaters on the 2 meter band.  It's largely because 2
meters has become a place for mischief and such.

I agree that the theory was harder in the old days, but back then, one had
to know how to build their own radios if necessary.  Nowadays, since
equipment is more solid state and more dependent on computer chips and such,
you couldn't build one like that if you wanted to unless you were factory
trained.  So I guess there is good and bad in the changes that have taken
place.
Harvey