KB1LQD
09-20-2006, 03:00 AM
OK, now before you jump to comclusions, here me out completely. I have been thinking about what teen amateur radio operators want out of the hobby and what non-amateur teens would be drawn too. I know the ARRL has put a lot of time an effort into their new "HELLO" program, and its very good, but there are some problems.
First off, in order to pass the hobby into the upcoming generation, it has to be presented in a way that is acceptable. For instance, although many amateur radio operators refer to the hobby as "Ham" Radio, such as in the "Hello" pamphlets and media. The major issue with this is that todays teens automaticaly associate "ham" radio as a wierd and geeky hobby. I can Attest to this as I have created and manage a high school club, and have seen this first hand. I do not refer to amateur radio as "Ham" Radio unless I am talking to another operator.
You might be wondering why I am refering to "Teens" and not youths. In my belife, from an access point of view, a teenager has much more capability of obtain gear, passing the tests, and operating comfortably with a good attension span. Pre-teen and younger kids have very short attension spans and do not have the capabilities such as having a job, possible driving, so on and so fourth. ALthough I am not saying to not advertise this hobby to this group, I am just stating that from a logistical point of view that it makes more sense to focus on "teens" that have more resources to stay into the hobby.
We should focus on a campaign that targets teens who have an interest in some form of radio, whether that be operating, building, antennas, and so on. A mistake that I see alot is to focus on new modes and only new modes. Yes, I do advertise PSK31 and SSTV to new members but I show them the whole picture, not only what they can do, but how to do it and how to learn to do the other stuff. CW is great, Its my main mode of operation but I understand that the average 16 year old is going to look at it with 10 eyes wondering why I would be using something that is over 100 years old. Adding to that, it is not a quick and simple proccess to learn code, and to a newcomer it can be a very good turn-off to a great hobby.
For a final note, Amateur radio is NOT a "Lifestyle" or anything such. It is a hobby and simply that, a very big hobby with many brilliant and interesting people, amazing technology and dazzeling electronics. When going to events such as hamfests and such, I am completly fine with the great diversity of this hobby but to someone who has just entered, or tagging along, some of the displays of attitude, attire, and action are less than inviting.
Although I would like to go into more detail, and also refine areas, this is my point of view. One from a teenager, trying to attract teenagers to the hobby. I would like to hear from OTHER YOUTH MEMBERS of this forum your input on how the hobby as a whole should deal with advertising and attracting "Newblood" to the hobby, any thoughts or comments.
First off, in order to pass the hobby into the upcoming generation, it has to be presented in a way that is acceptable. For instance, although many amateur radio operators refer to the hobby as "Ham" Radio, such as in the "Hello" pamphlets and media. The major issue with this is that todays teens automaticaly associate "ham" radio as a wierd and geeky hobby. I can Attest to this as I have created and manage a high school club, and have seen this first hand. I do not refer to amateur radio as "Ham" Radio unless I am talking to another operator.
You might be wondering why I am refering to "Teens" and not youths. In my belife, from an access point of view, a teenager has much more capability of obtain gear, passing the tests, and operating comfortably with a good attension span. Pre-teen and younger kids have very short attension spans and do not have the capabilities such as having a job, possible driving, so on and so fourth. ALthough I am not saying to not advertise this hobby to this group, I am just stating that from a logistical point of view that it makes more sense to focus on "teens" that have more resources to stay into the hobby.
We should focus on a campaign that targets teens who have an interest in some form of radio, whether that be operating, building, antennas, and so on. A mistake that I see alot is to focus on new modes and only new modes. Yes, I do advertise PSK31 and SSTV to new members but I show them the whole picture, not only what they can do, but how to do it and how to learn to do the other stuff. CW is great, Its my main mode of operation but I understand that the average 16 year old is going to look at it with 10 eyes wondering why I would be using something that is over 100 years old. Adding to that, it is not a quick and simple proccess to learn code, and to a newcomer it can be a very good turn-off to a great hobby.
For a final note, Amateur radio is NOT a "Lifestyle" or anything such. It is a hobby and simply that, a very big hobby with many brilliant and interesting people, amazing technology and dazzeling electronics. When going to events such as hamfests and such, I am completly fine with the great diversity of this hobby but to someone who has just entered, or tagging along, some of the displays of attitude, attire, and action are less than inviting.
Although I would like to go into more detail, and also refine areas, this is my point of view. One from a teenager, trying to attract teenagers to the hobby. I would like to hear from OTHER YOUTH MEMBERS of this forum your input on how the hobby as a whole should deal with advertising and attracting "Newblood" to the hobby, any thoughts or comments.