K9STH
05-29-2003, 04:14 PM
I passed my Novice test on my 15th birthday, 13 February 1959, but due to the hand generated licenses back then, it came through dated 15 May and didn't arrive until the very end of the month. I have been active for all of the 44 years since.
Frankly, it has been my experience that, with a few exceptions, teenage amateur radio operators are a good "lot" of people. Of course, the same thing goes for those who are older, there are definitely a few "SOBs" around.
Most teenage operators are full of energy, have lots of ideas (although some do need to be "tempered"), and are willing to work at various amateur radio projects.
I don't know what the ARRL position is now, but I received appointment as an OVS ("Official VHF Station") when I was 16, and was appointed EC ("Emergency Coordinator") of LaPorte County, Indiana, when I was 17. The Indiana SCM ("Section Communications Manager") was definitely aware of my age when he made the appointments. But, at the time, there wasn't an older amateur who was willing to take on the job of EC.
The annimonsity that is directed from older amateurs towards teenage amateurs is usually unfounded. Unfortunately, the small minority of teenagers who have caused problems makes it a "trend" and older amateurs start treating every teenager in the same manner.
In my opinion, the main problem with teenagers is that they are a bit "headstrong" and don't take to criticism as well as the older group. This is true in "life", not just in the amateur radio arena. But, it is just as wrong for older amateurs to treat all teenagers as "dirt".
Teenage amateurs need to attend local club meetings, but they also need to get the "feel" of the organization before offering "suggestions" and "demands" on the organization. It has been my experience that if the teenager seeks out the most crusty "old tymer" there, that once the "crust" is broken through, that person makes the best "Elmer" that anyone could hope for. Usually, the "old tymer" will make the teenager work his/her tail off, learning all sorts of things by doing and not by just being told. But, even when the teenager fails at something (and he/she is bound to fail at times), the "Elmer" will use this experience as a learning tool and the newcomer will usually remember the lesson.
Teenagers need not only their "peers" to associate with, but they need to get with the general amateur populace as well. Too many teenagers these days avoid contacts with older amateurs and, by operating within their peer group primarily, get into some pretty bad operating habits. These operating habits become a reason why they cannot function with older amateurs. It is definitely a "circle".
I know that there are a number of teenager and young adult amateurs who read the postings on QRZ.com on a regular basis. Only a relative handful ever post. But, in my opinion, the teenage amateur radio operators are most welcome on this board and on the air as well. They just have to put aside the "chip" that some have on their shoulder and join in.
Glen, K9STH
Frankly, it has been my experience that, with a few exceptions, teenage amateur radio operators are a good "lot" of people. Of course, the same thing goes for those who are older, there are definitely a few "SOBs" around.
Most teenage operators are full of energy, have lots of ideas (although some do need to be "tempered"), and are willing to work at various amateur radio projects.
I don't know what the ARRL position is now, but I received appointment as an OVS ("Official VHF Station") when I was 16, and was appointed EC ("Emergency Coordinator") of LaPorte County, Indiana, when I was 17. The Indiana SCM ("Section Communications Manager") was definitely aware of my age when he made the appointments. But, at the time, there wasn't an older amateur who was willing to take on the job of EC.
The annimonsity that is directed from older amateurs towards teenage amateurs is usually unfounded. Unfortunately, the small minority of teenagers who have caused problems makes it a "trend" and older amateurs start treating every teenager in the same manner.
In my opinion, the main problem with teenagers is that they are a bit "headstrong" and don't take to criticism as well as the older group. This is true in "life", not just in the amateur radio arena. But, it is just as wrong for older amateurs to treat all teenagers as "dirt".
Teenage amateurs need to attend local club meetings, but they also need to get the "feel" of the organization before offering "suggestions" and "demands" on the organization. It has been my experience that if the teenager seeks out the most crusty "old tymer" there, that once the "crust" is broken through, that person makes the best "Elmer" that anyone could hope for. Usually, the "old tymer" will make the teenager work his/her tail off, learning all sorts of things by doing and not by just being told. But, even when the teenager fails at something (and he/she is bound to fail at times), the "Elmer" will use this experience as a learning tool and the newcomer will usually remember the lesson.
Teenagers need not only their "peers" to associate with, but they need to get with the general amateur populace as well. Too many teenagers these days avoid contacts with older amateurs and, by operating within their peer group primarily, get into some pretty bad operating habits. These operating habits become a reason why they cannot function with older amateurs. It is definitely a "circle".
I know that there are a number of teenager and young adult amateurs who read the postings on QRZ.com on a regular basis. Only a relative handful ever post. But, in my opinion, the teenage amateur radio operators are most welcome on this board and on the air as well. They just have to put aside the "chip" that some have on their shoulder and join in.
Glen, K9STH