The youth... are not interested in the how and the why of the toys they play with... China and Taiwan are now the center of the electronics hardware industry. ... we must find a way to seed Amateur Radio into the minds of today's youth or lose Amateur Radio tomorrow.
One thing I have noticed in doing amateur radio for scout events is that the real pay-back is not necessarily in the kids, who's attention span cannot last through a single contact, but in the interest of the middle-aged Dad's (and Mom's).
So, yes, by all means, target the youth, but keep your focus more broadly and reel in those parents who seem to take an interest. Bring in the parents and someday the kids may follow.
In light of the above, I think there are some amateur-radio-for kids programs that are shooting so low to the kids, that the parents miss the big picture. This is not the case with AMSAT, but it is something I have seen elsewhere.
For my last 45 years being licensed, from my first day to my last, has been the lamentation that all we have in Amateur radio are old-fuds over 50. And now I am finally realizing that THAT is FACT. We should not avoid recruiting old-fuds!
In fact, maybe we should consider targeting them?
Old fuds that are empty-nesters or retired have the $$$, the time, the motivation and in many cases the need to develop a great hobby interest. Amateur radio is about the ideal hobby for old fuds. You can do it almost anywhere, at any range of expense, and meet great people.
So I do not in any way mean this to denegrate our outreach to youth. That is fundamental, but ALWAYS keep in mind, the potential to reel-in the older parents and bystanders.
Bob, Wb4APR
At 06:54 AM 2/8/2009, Bob Bruninga wrote:
The youth... are not interested in the how and the why of the toys they play with... China and Taiwan are now the center of the electronics hardware industry. ... we must find a way to seed Amateur Radio into the minds of today's youth or lose Amateur Radio tomorrow.
One thing I have noticed in doing amateur radio for scout events is that the real pay-back is not necessarily in the kids, who's attention span cannot last through a single contact, but in the interest of the middle-aged Dad's (and Mom's).
So, yes, by all means, target the youth, but keep your focus more broadly and reel in those parents who seem to take an interest. Bring in the parents and someday the kids may follow.
In light of the above, I think there are some amateur-radio-for kids programs that are shooting so low to the kids, that the parents miss the big picture. This is not the case with AMSAT, but it is something I have seen elsewhere.
For my last 45 years being licensed, from my first day to my last, has been the lamentation that all we have in Amateur radio are old-fuds over 50. And now I am finally realizing that THAT is FACT. We should not avoid recruiting old-fuds!
In fact, maybe we should consider targeting them?
Old fuds that are empty-nesters or retired have the $$$, the time, the motivation and in many cases the need to develop a great hobby interest. Amateur radio is about the ideal hobby for old fuds. You can do it almost anywhere, at any range of expense, and meet great people.
So I do not in any way mean this to denegrate our outreach to youth. That is fundamental, but ALWAYS keep in mind, the potential to reel-in the older parents and bystanders.
Bob, Wb4APR
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Good points: I would like to add a couple observations when talking with non-hams about my hobby.
This is usually at work where our employees range from 21 to late 50's, mostly cluster in mid-30 to mid-40's. When I mention that I "talk" via bouncing my signal off the Moon, I get a few apreciative replies. Also, when I tell them that I hope to hear a spacecraft orbiting Mars. Earth satellites and regular ham radio does not capture much interest (as cell phones and TV does that). Otherwise, we are often confused with CB radio by many "civilians".
Of course, at work we use commercial VHF-FM HT's and mobile radios (and I'm the guy that keeps 'em working).
So I think that excluding adults or seniors to focus on youth, may be a mistake. Often youth have so much teck stuff challenging their attention and young adults are busy with career and family (I was in my 20-30's), so that 40-60 age group is, perhaps, ready and looking for activities.
In my case, I was licensed at age 14 and chose my career as a result. I'm now into my 51st year as a ham. It has been a steady influence throughout my life and career!
1958 - KN8MWA (Novice) 1959 - K8MWA (Technician) 1982 - AL7EB (Gen/Advanced) 2005 - KL7UW (Extra)
*********************************************************** 73, Ed - KL7UW BP40iq, 6m - 3cm 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xp20, 8877-600w 1296-EME: DEMI-Xvtr, 0.30 dBNF, 4.9m dish, 60/300W (not QRV) http://www.kl7uw.com AK VHF-Up Group NA Rep. for DUBUS: dubususa@hotmail.com ***********************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Bruninga " bruninga@usna.edu To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 9:54 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The future of AMSAT is NOW . . .
[snip]
For my last 45 years being licensed, from my first day to my last, has been the lamentation that all we have in Amateur radio are old-fuds over 50. And now I am finally realizing that THAT is FACT. We should not avoid recruiting old-fuds!
[snip]
Bob, Wb4APR
HEY! I resemble that remark!!!!
;-)
George, KA3HSW
participants (3)
-
Bob Bruninga -
Edward Cole -
George Henry