It's a great idea, and exactly what is needed to bring in younger folks. YouTubers, like Dave Casler, are providing a critical conduit to a whole new generation; Dave is a master at dissecting complicated topics into easy-to-digest cyber bytes viewable on an Ipad or smartphone, providing a free service of ELMR-ON DEMAND (tips welcome!) ARRL is trying to catch up, but seem plagued by frequent leadership changes and shifting priorities. ARRL simply wears too many hats; legislative, technology, recruiting, publications, regulatory, LOTW. etc.. (NRA did the same thing resulting in a train wreck).. ARRL needs to hire or outsource to these YouTubers who are masters of the technology and have the know-how to deliver interesting content to our next generation of hams. Ask any new ham under 30 years old how they became interested, most will say its because of YouTube or some other CyberPlatform, very very few will say ARRL. ARRL does have it's "Outreach to Youth", an excellent but limited program, they need to expand the program to a larger audience using cybertechnology. Look at how ICOM has created their own youth-targeted cyber publications, ARRL please take note! http://www.icomamerica.com/en/amateur/comic_book/default.aspx
"There are two kinds of spurs, my friend. Those that come in by the door; those that come in by the window" ....Tuco, Il Brutto
One of the last, if not the last Ham Fest was the Charlotte NC at the Concord Arena. I went and it was already pretty bad with half the tables that had been rented sitting empty. This was about the time the very first detection of the virus in the US had occurred. It was a sad sight, however I get it... our ranks are filled with many who would be the most vulnerable to the virus. Alas.
