The Ham Recruiting Project (HRP):
Alex Swedenburg (AB0TJ)
on
January 24, 2003
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Is ham radio dying? Who knows. But, here is a way to help keep it from dying.
I have started a group called the Ham Recruiting Project to deal with the issue of
getting more people into our wonderful hobby.
Here is the general info about the HRP:
I started the HRP in an attempt to get more people into the hobby.
The idea is based upon a point system, people who recruit others to become ham
operators receive points. The points go like this:
1 point for every person that gets a ham ticket under your influence and
elmering.
1 point for every time one of your recruits upgrades his or her license.
1 point for upgrading your own license.
1 point or more for donating a prize (see below)
Double points for:
Recruits under 18
Upgrades to Extra
Everyone receives a special certificate for your first point, and the recruits also get a
certificate when they get their license.
Points can be redeemed for prizes. The prizes are donated by HRP members. You
receive a point for every prize you donate, or more if it is worthy of more.
When donating prizes, you decide how many points it will be worth, but keep in
mind points do not come easily.
I will keep track of points and keep track of some sort of shopping system for point
holders. I will give some points to someone that wants to set up a web site for the
HRP.
Points must be verified with one or more of the following:
Copies of licenses and/or CSCE certificates.
Letters from recruits.
Some sort of proof of age (for under-18 double points).
Questions, ideas or debates on these rules may be sent to:
pi_3_141@hotmail.com
If you have any interest in this idea, you can join the Yahoo! Group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ham_recruiters/
Thanks for reading and 73,
Alex Swedenburg ABØTJ
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The Ham Recruiting Project (HRP):
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by AD7DB on January 24, 2003
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Regarding "points for upgrading your own license."
This isn't exactly fair to Extras. We can't earn additional points!
I suggest the following instead:
Include 1 point for holding a Novice ticket, 2 points for Tech or Tech Plus, 3 points for General, 4 points for Advanced, 5 points for Extra. Thus everyone starts out with something.
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by K8AG on January 24, 2003
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I like the idea of extra points for young hams. I would like to see a series of simple projects that hams could build which, if all completed, would result in a fully functional QRP transeiver. Building it gets so many points. Getting it on the air gets additional points. Confirming a number of miles per watt could also get points.
I think we need more technically oriented young people who don't just get licenses, but wrangle electrons.;)
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by CURMUDGEON on January 24, 2003
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Considering that there are today, well over 700,000 amateurs in the US, compared to 239,000 in 1962, I'd say someones logic is faulty to suggest that amateur radio is dying. Establish that premise first, then perhaps it would be appropriate to think beyond it.
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The Ham Recruiting Project Debate...
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by K4III on January 24, 2003
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I think it's a great idea... Don't know whether it's dying, so many new technologies lately and numbers seem up (at least some of these hams must be active...) I think it the point system is a great idea for both all hams through an organization and must be focused for a certain area such as elmering or creating a larger ham population as you suggested.
There are already certificates for operating, contesting, etc... Getting involved in ham radio is hard nowadays for young people because schools no longer all have amateur radio clubs and everyone's parents or relatives aren't hams. Yes, there's the ARRL Internet site, but unless you are familiar with the local club/s, you are most likely unaware about ham radio in your area. YES, just like reading about flying a plane and actually having someone take you up in one is different! Maybe this activity should be directed toward a club environment where the clubs compete statewide with each other and are issued awards via ARRL. This way, there is less politics between club members.
Perhaps getting a tech license would be a few points because it is an entry level into the hobby, and one point up for each level. Of course a few other hams would like it set so if you are over 50 years of age and already old an extra class license, all you need to do is go to the store and find a nice frame...
"But we had to know Morse. Email? That must be a computer thing... NOT HAM RADIO!" (Sound familiar?) (I guess if computers can be kicked out of the hobby, the fact that people don't know or want to learn about them makes them knowing Morse the highest class license!) Times change, and so does technologies and hobbies. ADJUST! I'm always welcome to the idea of having more people licensed to talk with and share this wonderful hobby. For those who don't like to share or learn more about communications and technology, go back into your cave or purchase an FRS radio, CB, or cell phone.
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by W0FM on January 24, 2003
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Let's see if I have this correct. A ham gets points for donating a prize. So, if a ham donates a lot of prizes, he gets a lot of points...which he can, in turn, redeem for the prizes he donated? Run that by me one more time.
73 de Terry, WØFM
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by WN3VAW on January 24, 2003
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Hmmm. Seems like there's always no good idea that goes unpunished... which on eHam means that someone has to complain.
Yes, there are over 700,000 licensed amateurs today. So I would agree that Amateur Radio is not dying, at least in the short term.
However, the average age of amateurs continues to rise. Some of that is due in part to the fact that we're all getting older, some of it due to the number of new or returning amateurs who are in their late 40's or later, who finally have the time and opportunity to achieve a license.
Those are good reasons.
But some of it is also due in part to the fact that we are seeing fewer and fewer new amateurs enter the ranks in their teens. This is not to say we're not getting ANY (my club has one YL, currently an Extra, who was first licensed at 9 and will be attending CMU next year, and we have four other members who are still in High School or Middle School... but I can also remember when I got my ticket in Jr.High School, and there were almost 2 dozen of us in the pre-college age group attending the "big" club's bi-monthly meeting, and another 2 dozen who either didn't attend or didn't attend regularly), but not enough.
The reasons why we aren't attracting enough younger folks into our ranks are many, and have been hashed out on eHam forums for years ad infinitum ad nauseum, so I won't bore you with them here. Suffice to say, we need to do more. This proposal is one way, and it sounds like one with a lot of potential.
So if you don't like it, why not come up with another solution and not counter with meaningless statistics that are tangential to the point?
73, ron wn3vaw
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by W0FM on January 24, 2003
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Alex,
I actually like the concept. My previous post was meant to be a whimsical observation, not criticism of your efforts. Sorry if some took it wrong.
:-}
Terry, WØFM
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by K1MKF on January 24, 2003
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Ham Radio is not dying - the HF bands are full of phone operators. Actually I wish there were less US stations so I would have a better chance in those DX pile-ups.
I've heard there is less CW activity. Well it makes sense as there are less people forced to learn 13 wpm CW. Is that good or bad? Bad if you want more CW ops, good if you want to expand phone subbands.
There is less VHF, UHF, microwave activity. That subject has already been tackled in a previous post.
As for rewards for recruiting, how about the satisfaction that you introduced someone else to Ham radio? That should be enough. If not I'll take a reduction in my ARRL dues.
Mark
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by KU4QD on January 24, 2003
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The 700,000 number is very deceiving. In 1962 the license term wasn't ten years. Novices had a one year upgrade or lose it license. If someone gets a license and loses interest they stay in the database for 10 years. If someone dies and the FCC isn't informed they stay in the database for 10 years. I've seen estimates of the number of active hams ranging from 250,000 to 350,000. If that's true (and it is awfully hard to prove one way or another) then we've not made much headway since 1962. During the same period we've almost doubled the population of the United States. The percentage of Americans who are interested in ham radio has declined dramatically since 1962.
We're not alone. Japan has declined from 2 million licensed hams 20 years ago to 1.2 million today. Other industrialized countries that have short license terms show similar declines.
The median age of the ham community is going up as well. Ham radio may not be dying off in sheer numbers, but it could die off in a generation if we don't get more young hams involved.
HRP is no incentive for me, I'm sad to say. I don't collect awards or contest. I'm not a competitive person by nature. I have, however, over the years elmered a few hams. I'll continue to do that, and to talk up ham radio, any chance I get. I just hope the potential newcomer doesn't tune to 75m and walk away in disgust. I've had that happen more than once.
73,
Caity
KU4QD
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Kids?
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by WR8Y on January 24, 2003
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Oh look, here's someone trying to do good - let's not offer help, it'll be more fun to just pick his idea apart!
Want more kids in the hobby? Do something about it.
As for me, for the second year in a row I'm teaching the Radio Merit Badge at the local Boy Scout merit badge 'teach-in.' (Ok, they don't call it that, but the mind fails me at times.) Last year I had about 16 kids. They tell me this year's class will be limited to 15 per my request.
WANT TO HELP? Call any local scout office. They will be glad to hear from you. The radio Merit Badge is the obvious one, but there are several badges hams could teach. No matter what you teach, you will make contacts with kids who are looking for something to attract their attention. And you will have a tremendous time - just be ready for some tough questions!
I try to give the kids enough background to help them see what our hobby (and radio itself) is all about. I can see why people go into teaching, sure is a fun way to spend two saturdays a year.
I can't say for sure, but I think this kind of effort leads to 1 to 3 new hams each year. As for last year, I know of one.
But as I said before, what I get out of it is a really fun saturday. And I become encouraged by kids today, because I find they are no different than we were 30 years ago...
WR8Y
Mark
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by KD7RQH on January 24, 2003
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I think the easiest way to recruit more Hams is to share your hobby with others in your life. I get asked about that "walkie-talkie" at work (I'm an M.P. in the Navy and often bring the handheld for some of those more boring evenings...), queried on what that "QST" magazine is all about, etc. If you have children, volunteer to give a presentation, the teachers at my son's school jumped all over the offer to come in and share. I did not become a Ham until I was 29 years old, so I'm not sure I understand the drive to get teens into the hobby, as there are many different age groups who would jump on it given sufficient information and an introduction, I know I did. Just my thoughts on the subject...
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by WO5I on January 24, 2003
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Alan,
Fantastic idea! Most of us hams will welcome any ideas or suggestions to better and grow our hobby/passtime.
I'm pleased to see a positive, optimistic post for a change.
Ideas such as yours are easiest to implement at the local club level. That way you can be directly involved in structuring and administration. If it succeeds locally, move the idea to a broader-reaching organization for consideration. If it doesn't catch on, make the necessary adjustments and try again.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
73,
David, WO5I
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by W9TM on January 24, 2003
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Working to recruit new hams is a commendable undertaking and you deserve a lot of credit. Just be sure that the newbies don't have as their only goal in ham radio doing the yakity-yakity-yakity thing on 75/40/20 meter ssb. That is such a sad ending to an optimistic beginning!
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by MSN90 on January 25, 2003
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how about 1,000,000 points to anyone who changes the amateur radio regulations to allow for broadcasting of culture on the airwaves rather than the collecting of contest points and the endless and useless chatter and ridiculousness.
You would be much better off getting to the point: ham radio uses the airwaves, but does nothing of interest with them. You would all be much better off to work for the changing of regulations.
An analogy of your current situation could be the state of computers, if only network technicians had the ability to post web sites and the content on them, it would be utterly boring, much as amateur radio is, but by allowing others (people who actually have a want to spread ideas, as opposed to an having an interest in only the technology) to post their ideas on the internet, it has flourished. Your concern about the technology in ham radio serves no importance if all you do is what you've been doing, if you work for drastic change you may be able to take part in something big, but if you keep spectrum-squatting you will lose your chance to use the spectrum as well as for the average person who could contribute greatly. Keeping things as they are will ultimatly be your downfall, it's happened over and over throughout history. It may take years or decades, but you all recognize it's going to happen.
You have to reassure each other that there's use in the current state of ham radio, I don't see many others question their hobbies in the same regard.
You talk of bringing new people in, but none of the young people want to talk to someone who's talking about their radio. Get real. It doesn't matter if the other person is across the street or across the Atlantic. The distance between two conversing people should not be of much interest. The internet would be awfully boring if everyone posted a site that stated it worked or if everyone sent e-mails and posted messages to chat boards about their computer working. If any of my friends were ham radio operators I would get floods of e-mails saying things like, "I put four modems in my computer to handle more e-mail." Why would I ever read anything else from them? I realize technology is interesting, but it is selfish to ignore the truth of how the airwaves should be used. You should not be examining how to bring in one or two kids, but how to change the current regulations. Failure to play a part now will guarantee failure later. If you want to hand the airwaves over to big businesses and never have a role in the spectrum (maybe cb's will still be around?) then keep up the stupid contests and keep talking about your boring radios.
I actually found this site because I was considering ham radio and was interested in what goes on and doing things that spread news and ideas. Instead I've seen the laughable state it's in. You post stuff saying you need to "elmer" more and such, but you are so far off. Ham radio seems neat because people think they'll get to spread news, etc. What they find out is you can only do contests and short conversations - boring.
like i've said-change it or lose it.
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by KC0IOX on January 25, 2003
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Nice idea. I'm sure some of the suggestions have some merit, and it's nice to see some positive discussion. I believe that we are part of the solution, or part of the problem. We won't attract the majority of today's youth, nor should we. After all, it's a technical hobby, and not everyone has those interests. Ham radio has never attracted the majority of the population, and that's fine. It really isn't for everyone. That being said, and either being part of the solution, or problem, here are my goals for the coming year. First, since my wife is the local scoutmaster, I'm planning on putting a station on the air for JOTA next fall with my son's cub scout pack. If there is some interest, I'll take it further, but we'll see how step 1 goes. Second, since I'm a high school teacher, and since we have a couple sections of electronics offered, I'm going to offer my services to start a club at my school, if there is an interest. This will be from the ground up, and I'll probably enlist help from ARRL and local hams. The electronics teacher is all for anything that can show the students practical application of the theory they've been learning.
At any rate, I'll be able to say that I tried something. This hobby has been a blessing to me and given me much enjoyment. For what it has given me, this seems like the least that I can do.
73 to all, and good luck on your project.
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by KB9YUR on January 25, 2003
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If Amateur Radio is to capture the minds of young
people today, it's going to have to be a lot more
innovative in it's message. Telling prospective
Hams that one can do moon bounce and talk via
satellites sounds a lot more appealing then just
being able to 'talk with others around the world'.
The other issue is that of how we appear to others.
During my last hamfest outing, a non-ham friend
made the following observation, "Don't these guys
ever take a bath and try to loose some weight"?
George ...
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by AE5X on January 25, 2003
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If you have to pay someone (points or anything else) to get their ticket, then they're getting their ticket for the wrong reason. For most active hams today, getting their ticket was in itself the reward.
I think what needs to happen to rejuvenate the hobby is to make it more known among the public. These days, if a young person wants to be involved in a technical hobby, he's doing someing on, with or to a computer. And like ham radio of decades past, that interest may lead to a well-paying job.
Several movies have featured ham radio in a way that brings it to the public's attention: "The French Connection" and, more recently, "Frequency". A few folks sometimes stumble onto a Field Day operation each June, but I wonder what kind of reception they receive if they work up the nerve to approach the operators and ask questions.
Other than that, people aren't really aware of the existence of the hobby. Whenever we have company over & I show them the radio room with QSLs on the wall, the reaction is usually something like "Wow , you can really talk to all those countries?!" I can't help but think that if more people knew about it, they might just be interested enough to pursue it themselves. So maybe something like an article about your own personal station & its capabilities in a local newspaper followed by an offer of a "tour" and further explanation for anyone interested enough to want to know more. I don't think a invitation to a local club is the answer - club meetings (of any type) are boring in the short-attention-span world in which we live today and they are too reminiscent of "meetings" which many folks are forced to attend at work or school.
But we need to get people into ham radio by getting them intersted in it, not by paying them.
John Harper
Outdoor QRP & 80m DXing: http://www.ae5x.com
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by N5XM on January 25, 2003
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I don't have a problem with anything that publicizes our hobby. Getting people into something is one thing. You can't guarantee anyone will stay on the air. I think it is great to get people interested, but my motivation would be the satisfaction of knowing others enjoy radio as much as I do. I could care less about points. It just seems that the best thing we can do is let others see our passion for radio, and give them the opportunity to respond.
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by KB5LPA on January 26, 2003
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I believe the idea behind this concept is sound. The hobby continues to need to attract interested people in order to thrive. As of 10-31-02 there were 684,498
members in the ham population in the United States. That figure represented a five year high in total numbers.(The two or three years after No Code Tech was instituted represented the "all time high" as far as number of hams licensed in the USA.) While the actual numbers are growing, what really seems to be the problem is that the renewal rate of licensees is at about 55%.That figure[55%]is actually up from a three year low .Climbing,but still a little bleak IMHO. The number of new hams vs.the number of non-renewals of licenses is the area that needs working on.(Something not figured in,over which there is no control,is number of silent keys.)
So it seems to me that once a person is licensed,some sort of encouragement needs to continue.More "Elmering",invite a new person over to show what else you can do with the license,invite to a club meeting,do not exclude them because the license they hold was not obtained in the same manner as yours was,etc.There are some people that see hams as a rather snobby clique. Sometimes this is true sometimes not.As hams we need to continue to sell the hobby.I have said this before,as hams we are our own worst enemy when it comes to getting people in the hobby. Alan has an idea that can be instituted in a club setting. Everyone can participate in some way or the other and everyone will benefit from the results of the effort.The choice falls into the hands of active hams today.73
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by K2AF on January 27, 2003
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I'm not sure we need more folks on the ham bands, aren't the bands crowded enough? On HF, I often turn the transceiver off after hearing guys fighting over transmitting space, these fights are especially nasty between netters and contesters. In the morning and afternoon I cannot even get my call in on the local repeater.
So how will doubling our ranks help?
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by AD7DB on January 28, 2003
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K2AF,
The age of the average ham operator is higher every year. We are not attracting enough younger people to this hobby. You don't have to be Einstein to figure out that this sitation has to collapse sooner or later.
When hams start dying off faster than we can attract new hams, when our numbers go down faster than the stock market this past year, THEN maybe you'll start to worry if we'll be able to keep our bands at all.
Oh, if the band you're on is too crowded you CAN do some things. 1. Try another band or mode. 2. Wait 10 years, the 70+ year old hams may not make it to 80+.
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by DRDERRICK on January 28, 2003
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This is a good idea. I am studying for my liceses, with code up to about 10 wpm now. My main interest is becoming proficient in code and operating on available frequencies. Although there is tons of info out there, it is difficult deciding where to start. With different budgets, taking the first step in obtaining suitable equipment is quite daunting to us beginners, to say the least. Many of us live in areas with rigid height restrictrions, can not erect large antennae, or travel frequently and need portable antennas, and do not want to begin a hobby spending $1000 of dollars, but still want to start somewhere. I have been researching things for some time now and still let me say that for beginners, there is very little help.
Am a member of several groups that I try to decipher their jargon to learn, research as much info on their posts as possible, and building quite a library of sources on radios, antennas, p/s, tuners, keyers, etc. I see no end to reaching my goal of setting up the most optimum rig with the most bang for the buck as yet.
When I was 6 y/o my cousin "talked" with some one in Germany via code. I am 40 now and never lost that curiosity and hope to get involved. A little exposure goes a long way. Kids as well as Adults are curious. Show them your abilities without boring technicalies as well as a use for it, some will be hooked for life. Keep it simple and entertaining at first then things may start to develop. As for now most of what I find is so technical I would need an electonic engineering degree to understand. Have other ideas on this matter but need to plod away inorder to understand more, as I have been doing. When I get going I believe I can make others, including young people, more interested with this. That's one of my longterm goals anyway.
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by KG4RGN on January 31, 2003
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Just an idea, have the FCC remove the testing CW requirements for part of the HF band, but still keep the General test a requirement. For example, small sections of the 10 and 12 meter bands for no code. Once the new guys get a taste of part of the HF band, they will pass the cw.
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by KF4JDP on February 1, 2003
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MSN9O You coward!
You cant have our spectrum to promote your Idea`s..If you want spectrum apply to the FCC for a Commercial Radio License and spend the thousands of dollars it takes and then spread your wisdom to the masses...or get into a talk radio station and voice your opinion there...Amateur Radio when not in hobby mode is a valuble communication tool saving lives and helping other services.....so before you blast us for our use of the spectrum...listen to a emergency net.
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by KF4JDP on February 1, 2003
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Now about the project, I think it is a good idea however...im not to sure of the points thing....if you want to get young people involved it will be a challenge,As hard as any endevor....From my observations with the youth of today it seems they have adopted a "KEEPING IT REAL" Attitude with little room for imagination.
I will try not to put a label on all young people, but alot of them.
My step daughter who is 12 was watching the State Of The Union address the other night because we required her to do so and upon its conclusion asked her thoughts on the subject matter and her reply was "I Dont Care" as were some of her friends replies the same.
I welcome any suggestions as of what to do to guide her to caring a little more.
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by FT990 on February 2, 2003
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I think some may be turned away if they monitor on the weekends. About all they will hear is XXXX this is YYYY your 5-9 my 10 10 # is XXXXX thanks. QRZed. Repeat over and over and over.... I'm sure alot of them are saying "Is that it?" "No real conversations?" This was my first impression.
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by WD6EJN on February 4, 2003
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I think the only way to get new hams on the air and
save the bands is to take a step backwards,,,,, way backwards!.
Why would any kid want to be psycologically abused by his neighbors and family complaining about noises in
the stereo or herring bone patterns on the tv, when
he/she can just make a call to anywhere on their cell phone, or, go to a chat room, spend quality homework_free time playing video games or pickup a scateboard or scooter and go.
The ham manufacturers need to come out with more affordable more portable ham gear that will provide
"instant gratification!"
Then once prospective hams are communicating on a special band (remember the novice bands?)they will have the options to decide for themselves if they want to be deluged with 50 test questions or 20 wpm morse code tests, unlike cb they have to abide by part 95,
my guess is that once they get their feet wet the deep
end of the pool is only a few key clicks away.
Most kids (and a lot of adults!) are so easily amused
and the attention span can be so short, that trying to
explain just how to turn on a ham rig can seem like
quantum phsyics.
I think that offering prizes for recruitment sounds like fun! but in my case I will have to sell or donate
my equipment in order to make room in my storage compartment for more important things.
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by N1UZ on February 20, 2003
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Good morning
Radio World had a great article in the last copy of 2002 written by Ginger Eldridge KC5MTI regarding having a field day for kids. Unfortunately because of being pregnant and other commitments with her family she will not be able to follow through with her ideas.
Ginger was recommending that we should try to organize a field day for elementary school kids, a countrywide event. The theory is that we all try at some point to try and get school kid involved by setting up stations randomly during the course of the school year. When we do this the chances of making contact with other school kid is slim to none. If we were to organized a countrywide if not worldwide event and have all these kids on the air at the same time.
If we consistently have this field day year after year at the same schools and the same kids attending the interest will grow in the student. My thinking on this is to generate this interest early enough, before these kids get involved with girls {boys}, cell phones and instant messageing.
It would not be hard to organized an event like this with the help of ARRL, AMSAT or RADIO WORLD
BILL LEGER
N1UZ
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The Ham Recruiting Project (HRP):
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by WB4M on May 24, 2005
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Mail this to a friend!
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How about a bonus if we set up a booth at truck stops and recruit truckers as they pull in? Then, they will see the benefits of VHF, trash their CB's, and use 2 meters instead! That will cure the problem of "no activity on VHF"!
A lot of you seem to be hung up on people's ages. What difference does it make? 700,000 hams are still 700,000 hams regardless of their ages. I understand the need for younger people to carry on the hobby, but I also understand that older people, say 50 and above, should not be ignored. They probably have more time and money to spend on the hobby and are the most active.
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