Issue #41: How Do New Operators View Amateur Radio?

There's a big generation gap in ham radio, and it is quite evidenced by the way that social media reflects our interests in websites like QRZ.com, or some of the fora that specialize in newcomers to radio. In this issue of Trials and Errors, Dave pulls together some of the social media commentary from new operators. It's clear we have our work cut out for us to bring everyone together . . . if we can! See this link.

 

They don't like the price of gear?! Yet they think nothing of spending as much (easily) for a new Xbox Series X and a few games that will be obsolete and forgotten in a few years.

Amateur radio gear is less expensive than it ever has been.

 

Hi Rod - I agree. There was a great post that followed up the gripes about price, from a guy who tells us exactly how "easy" it is to make a great RF producing device.

In reality, QRP operating can be SO MUCH FUN, and you can do so with equipment that might cost you $200 total. About the cost of a used X Box and a couple of games. Dave

 

Oh, and I neglected to say, "Great blog as usual." I don't always comment, but I always enjoy your work. Keep it coming!

 

Don't like the price of gear but are walking around with $1,100 or $1,200 smartphones. Geniuses! My smartphone cost less than $300 and probably does everything that overprice iPhone does. How about buying a more less expensive smartphone and give up some Starbucks, Dunkin, lottery games for a while then? Learn how to..... SAVE YOUR MONEY to buy the things you want. A lot of us had to save up for stuff growing up, we didn't just get it handed to us. We had to mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, etc.

 

Dave, you're right on. QRP is a great way to get on the air if you don't have a lot of cash to spend. It also doesn't take a lot of cash to find wire and feedline at a hamfest. Sometimes hams want to get rid of remnant wire spools by charging almost nothing or even nothing. I've given away spools of wire because there just wasn't a lot of wire left on the spool and I wanted more space in my garage. A folded dipole or end-fed can be homebrewed for dollars, if that.

It's just that in my experience, QRP is still primarily a CW avocation. Maybe the QRP community should be more welcoming of QRP SSB. I'm 100% CW QRP from the shack, but this isn't realistic or desirable for many hams.

The "I did code to get my license. Just learn code -- it's not that hard!" line from more experienced hams is highly damaging to ham radio, end stop. This attitude must end, and the end begins with me. This attitude is insulting to hams who have waited years and years to get a license simply because they never had an "ear" for code. I've heard from a few hams who have waited eagerly for the day the ITU dropped the code testing requirement. Ham radio was just a dream for a number of hams so long as the code gatekeeping was in place.

It's time to recognize that some people have learning differences that may hinder or completely block code learning and proficiency. It's not that some hams are "lazy" about learning code or "disinterested" in code. Maybe some hams just can't learn code due to neuro-developmental struggles. For my part, I just listen to the experiences of hams who have these struggles. Just be a friend and be welcoming without pushing code on them. I do tell them I'm "CW only" eventually, but only after hearing their stories.

73, Jordan AB2T

 

honestly, you sound like one of the gatekeeping OFs who were discussed in the blog post.

many (most?) *don't* have thousand dollar smart phones ... and when they do they use all the functions of that phone to do relevant things.

 

They sure do have those Xbox Series Xs and a box full of games.

 

an xbox series x is $500. games can be borrowed from public libraries.

 

I agree. I QRP a lot with my little X5105. On CW! I don't think QRP SSB would be a lot of fun for a new ham. My two cents. Great article!

73,
W2NC

 

Thanks! I agree. But SSB for QSB is likely much more expensive.

 

Not anymore. We are mostly talking downloads now. And many of them have expensive phones. And tablets, etc. Which is OK. I know because I teach undergraduates semester in and semester out.

 

Great article. I remember thinking some of the same things a couple of years ago.

Finding affordable gear can be daunting but it can be found; new and used. Space and permission for antennas, that is a whole other beast to battle.

 

Interesting overview.
Everyone should look in the mirror and see how they're really projecting themselves, and what they represent to others, in this case amateur radio.

If it wasn't for the old timers when I was a kid, I would have never been able to get on radio, I know that for sure. I treasure all the teaching and assistance they did for me.

Times have certainly changed, old men hanging around with younger kids, is viewed on differently to start with.

If they're still living at home I always make a point to talk to their parents, and try to have their parents around when we're setting up their station and antennas, resulting in a more than a few moms and dads getting licenses also.

I've always been able to help them put together a 100vwatt HF station for less than $500. There are lots of great rigs out older ones that are easy to run and still perform great. The antennas are easy to build even if you have to hang it in the Attic or a tree in the backyard. Normally start out with a couple of bands made of dipoles, no tuner required, which helps them.
I give them a CW key for tuning purposes, and I don't force cw on them ever, but many of them have come back and learned it

 

Thanks Steve. I think that many young newcomers want the latest hot technology for their first rigs. I'd always recommend you just keep your eyes open for a 10-20 year old rig and make do. It's easy to trade up over time until you can afford the latest technology!