Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
Vince Ponzio (KA3NRX)
on
November 15, 2004
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I often wonder about ham radio and it's future. I often wonder if anyone out there in the ham community realizes that this hobby offers some things that all of these new fangled technologies don't offer. The first thing is that ham radio has a mystique all of it's own, that the cold world of cell phones and computers doesn't have. The experimentation and exploration of radio signals from far off places on a variety of frequencies, using a variety of transmitting modes still holds the mystique of the thrill of the chase. -- The mystique of sending a radio wave out into the atmosphere not knowing who will hear that signal. Why isn't this mystique promoted to the public?
Another thing about ham radio that should be better promoted is its usage in times of crisis. When the power goes out, and the cell phones are all dead, what is relied upon to come through in an emergency like a hurricane or an earthquake? That old antiquated means of communications, ham radio! Why is this service not promoted to the public?
The other thing that ham radio offers that other technologies don't (and I can't believe no one has touched on this) is once you have your equipment, you don't have to subscribe to any service to transmit your signal! Why hasn't this been promoted to the public? Yeah, you have to take a test, but once you are set up, you don't pay any more money! I just can't believe that nobody among the ham radio powers that be don't use this as a marketing tool to attract new hams.
All I see and hear are all of these people whining and moaning about how ham radio is dying thanks to the innovations of the Internet and cell phones. If this is indeed true, we only have ourselves to blame. We as radio amateurs don't promote and present this hobby the way it should be promoted. Instead we make changes to license exam structures. It's easier than ever before to get a ham radio license, but still, the average age of the average U.S. ham is, what, 55? It's fairly obvious that changing the licensing structure is not working and hasn't worked since novice enhancement in 1987. Instead we sit around and fight amongst ourselves debating these things until we are blue in the face, and the rest of the world just pass us off as a bunch of grumpy old fart codgers who are stuck in 1980's technology.
I think our next move should be to have the ARRL hire a good PR firm to get the word out that ham radio is not dead, and to promote it's mystique, it's variety of technological interests, and the free use of transmitting on the air without having to subscribe to a service provider, or monthly plan. Instead of debating code vs. no-code or moaning that the hobby is dying, why not try a little self-promotion of all of the good things ham radio is? If we don't, it will be our own fault if the hobby is indeed headed for an end.
Vince Ponzio
KA3NRX
Pittsburgh, PA
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by W6JE on November 15, 2004
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You know we're in trouble when people start comparing ham radio to "new fangled technologies."
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better?
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by K4RAF on November 15, 2004
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"I think our next move should be to have the ARRL hire a good PR firm to get the word out that ham radio is not dead, and to promote it's mystique, it's variety of technological interests, and the free use of transmitting on the air without having to subscribe to a service provider"
I thought the ARRL was a PR firm? With 70 employees, including a "Revenue Development $peciali$t", maybe they should get back to the roots that lead Maxim to create the ARRL in the first place? I don't think it is marketing problem, it is an attitude problem the public sees more clearly than hams do.
"Free use of transmitting on the air" is already in use. It is called Part 15 & clearly resented by a majority of hams, as shown by the clueless comments in the current WiFi thread.
You can't put lipstick on a pig with a bad attitude & call it 'pretty'.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by WA8MEA on November 15, 2004
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Why does the ARRL have to hire a national PR firm? If we don't think the ARRL is doing a good enough PR job, why can't WE hire a PR firm? Why don't we ask some big shots in the ham industry to investigate the hiring of a national PR firm, find out what it would cost for an all out PR blitz for a certain period of time, and then let the rank and file contribute to the cause. Another thought; Why can't we ask "The Big Three"-Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood to help fund this effort? After all, it WILL benefit them.
73, Bill - WA8MEA
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by GHOSTRIDERHF on November 15, 2004
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Didnt we just do this same thread about 2 days ago!!!!
Another "How can we save whats not dying" thread....
Dude -- its a hobby -- it doesn't need promoting ...
ITS JUST A HOBBY -- have fun ...
PS - Give me a break ---I dont think your going to get anyone to give up their cell phones for an HT ... hard to make and receive long distance calls on it -- aaaggghhhh
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by N9DG on November 15, 2004
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I doubt if "promotion" is really the answer. All too often things that are vigorously promoted are only popular as long as that promotional campaign is active. Stop or slow the promotion effort and the popularity of whatever was being promoted drops. For what its worth I think far too many people in the world are already being lead around by "promotion" of some sort or another instead of thinking for themselves. Look at pro sports, why would anybody be interested in watching over paid adults playing kids games? But yet it is a big business, mostly promotion.
Another thing you also have to ponder is the success and popularity of things like bicycling. From a purely practical perspective why would anyone do it, or spend $1000's of dollars on it when you can drive by car to that same destination a whole lot easier? It’s similar to the argument of why pursue ham radio when cell phones and the like provide the basic communications that you really need or use anyhow? In the end individuals need to want to do something for a "just because" reason, you can't really promote that.
I've also come to the conclusion that if somebody needs to ask me why I find ham radio interesting in the first place then they wouldn't understand why even if I did explain it to them. I've also encountered a number of people who have a similar dilemma when trying to explain their technical or otherwise obscure hobby or interests whatever they may be. A good share of those folks *do* understand the appeal of ham radio but simply aren't interested in it beyond a very mild curiosity. And other times they have interests that overlap with mine; so those are the kind of folks I hang with.
The key "magic factor" for me is knowing that my equipment is communicating directly with someone else's equipment, just for heck of it. Or at a minimum through intermediary equipment that is primarily designed built and supported by hams, (OSCAR satellites and repeaters for example). I’m also very open to applying whatever new or old technology or techniques it takes to make it happen.
So even with my “magic factor” criteria there is still plenty of room for using computers integrated with my radio, and it is targeted toward making my radio be a better radio, one that is still wholly contained within my own shack. Computer integration is key to the future of ham radio, but it shouldn't be in the context of only trying to duplicate computer networks or the Internet. We should instead be applying computer technology to make our radios do things that you can't do without computer technology. And no designing radios with embedded processor that only emulate the same basic radio designs from years ago is not applying computer technology to radio. Once we embrace computer technology *properly* there will be much more appeal to those computer savvy people who do catch the radio "magic" by joining our ranks; that is after all where a good many of the “technically curious” types are hanging out these days. And they will not be intimidated by computer technology any more than many hams today who are not intimidated by electricity and RF. Seems like a good mix to me with lots of room to experiment, - just for the fun of it.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by GHOSTRIDERHF on November 15, 2004
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WHY DO WE NEED TO PROMOTE?
I like it just the way it is...
What do we get from promoting a HOBBY???
There are already 7,000,000 of us worldwide
We already complain about the ones that we have.
You don't make money by having more.
We don't get anything except more people to complain about.
Now I do agree though that we need to promote more activites like beer drinking competitions and collegiate wet T-shirt contests and things like that that people actually can benefit from --
There are more stamp collectors in the world then ham radio operators -- but if you started seeing stamp collector advertisments on the TV and got stamp collecting junk mail would that make you want to be a stamp collector -- NO
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by NY7Q on November 15, 2004
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Buy some books, learn basic electronics, it leads to great things, learn the code, (cw), build something electronic, it might all change your attitude which is sort bad in my view. China, India, and countries with all the jobs have many many hobbys...go there.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by NI0C on November 15, 2004
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Vince, you've made some excellent points concerning the "mystique" of amateur radio communications. Most people who communicate via e-mail, the Internet, and cell phones don't realize the extent of the infrastuctures involved in their communications. Promoting amateur radio (and I agree it is a good thing to do) must involve educating the public concerning their dependence on these infrastuctures, then capturing their imagination with history lessons.
Some have compared amateur radio to other hobbies such as sailboating. Those who enjoy sailing combine their skills with the vagaries of the winds. They may enhance their activity with high-tech tools such as GPS. Hams, particularly those of us who enjoy HF, combine their operating skills with the vagaries of the ionosphere and the geomagnetic fileds. We may enhance our enjoyment with high-tech tools such as a laptop computer with a good logging program, DSP, etc.
73 de Chuck NI0C
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by N6PEH on November 15, 2004
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Saturday night (11-6-04), I was watching the Turner Classic Movies station. They were doing a 10-15 minute spot on Amateur Radio. The film appears to have been made in the 1950-1960 era. All black and white. It was really quite good. They had a drama going on with a downed airplane, with a search and rescue effort by an Amateur, in an airplane, sending morse code from a straight key, attached to his clip board. Citizens would gather around there shortwave radio in there living room, listening and copying his updates on the search. You could actually copy the pilots CW on this show. In another segment, a mother is making dinner and wonders where everybody is. She finds them all in the living room huddled around the radio, listening to Amamteur phone signals from China. There was a lot more to it than I'm sharing here, but it was really very good! First I'd ever seen on TV, promoting HAM radio.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by G0GQK on November 15, 2004
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It seems that every six months or so, someone has the urge to have a document printed in E-ham which states that, "ham radio is dying, guys, we gotta do somethin'".
As someone has stated in a previous letter, there are about 7 million radio amateurs on earth, is that not enough ? Is there a dire shortage of people to speak to in the USA ? Did anyone tune across 10 metres during the CQ contest ? There were people calling CQ contest up to 28.800 Mhz, in a period when years ago nobody even looked at 10 metres, the days of the "Use it or lose it" slogan.
A regular comment is that "the public out there,don't know what they're missing by not being radio hams, we should be telling them what a wonderful hobby this is and they ought to be breaking down the doors at the ARRL to get at the "How to be a Radio Ham" books.
If they want to be an amateur radio operator they'll have enough savvy to find out who to contact.Sad but its a fact that most of the people who are not hams tend to think that people who mess about with radio's, have wire antenna's hanging all over their property, and have 60 foot high masts with huge aerials on top that can be seen half a mile away, are a bit strange.
You don't think you're strange, I perhaps don't think you're strange, (even though you may be !) but most of those folks, out there, think you're strange !
They say to themselves, why the hell does that guy across the road have to have all that junk stickin' up in the air making the place look look a mess ? We've been having trouble with the television and the hi- fi and I bet its him thats causing the problem. If he wants to talk to his pals why can't he use the phone like everyone else ?
There is also the other problem that is occuring more often in the States now, I believe you call them CCR's or something like that. In other words restrictions on radio antenna's in the community. Who needs to fight against those problems when you can buy a computer and do whatever takes your fancy, which includes chatting to people all over the world with a microphone or on a keyboard.
With 7 million people with radio licenses, perhaps a third of them on HF why not just enjoy yourself, and stop worrying about a hobby you think is dying. It isn't dying............ but we are !
73, Mel
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by WILLY on November 15, 2004
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Here is a quote from another recent thread, " It's a hobby for people with unusual interests and not the masses. " .
This is so very, very true.
I agree that ham radio could use some 'promotion', but I don't agree that we should promote it to just everyone. I don't think that is efficient, and I think it attracts way to many people that are not truly interested in ham radio for what it is and has been.
Anyone who has ideas about how to reach our aforementioned 'target market' of people with our unusual interests, then that would be a very good thing to share.
Of course many already do it through club meetings, Field Day, Elmering, etc. These are all tried and true, and good.
I still feel that there are a lot of potential good hams - people with the right interests, motivation and respect - that would be good for ham radio, that are simply unaware of what the hobby offers. They have simply never been exposed.
Exposing those people to the hobby is the key.
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Yeah, lets ram it down the publics throat
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by WB4M on November 15, 2004
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I fully agree with those who question the need for "promotion" of ham radio. Ham radio is the only hobby I have ever been associated with whose main purpose is to recruit more members.
Ham Radio is not for everyone, just as photography, needle-point, flying, making clay pottery is not for everyone.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KA5VCQ on November 15, 2004
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I find the best way to promote ham radio is to show it off. My daily business is working with soldiers and I invite them to check out my mobile setup. Ham radio speaks for itself when you can talk to someone in another state or country right in front of them. Two soldiers who worked for me over the years now have their license and a few others are highly interested.
I'm in an advantageous position here though. All of my soldiers are military radio operators so I guess they already have an interest! HI HI! Ham radio seems exciting compared to the shoot-and-forget radios they operate for Uncle Sam.
73 de KA5VCQ/4
SGT Korey Chandler
Ft. Bragg, NC
Part of the Signal Corps and proud of it.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KY1V on November 15, 2004
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Well said, Mel (G0GQK).
David ~ KY1V
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KA3NRX on November 15, 2004
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Agree or disagree, I enjoyed reading everyone's response....Excellent points made by everyone....I am sorry if I came out sounding like I started another "Ham Radio Is Dying" thread....That really wasn't my intent, and if you read thru it again, you will find that is not what I said...I said that If it is dying like a lot of people I had heard say recently, it should be promoted better.....Don't get me wrong...I don't lose sleep over what one person says over another, but it does make you think.....Look at shortwave broadcast stations.....Most of the Eurocasters have dropped their shortwave services and are transmitting on the internet and via satellite......Are these trends good??......Do they bode well for ham radio???...(I ask that because HF frequency space is shared with the BC stations).....I am not so sure.....I did like the point made about the rig manufacturers participating in some kind of ham radio promotional endeavor....Catch you all later....
VP
KA3NRX
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by AE6IP on November 15, 2004
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> There are already 7,000,000 of us worldwide
1,400,000 actually, down from a peak, five years ago, of 2,000,000.
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RE: Yeah, lets ram it down the publics throat
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by AE6IP on November 15, 2004
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> Ham radio is the only hobby I have ever been
> associated with whose main purpose is to recruit
> more members.
I don't know about 'main purpose', but every hobby I participate in has efforts to attract new members. There's strength in numbers.
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RE: Yeah, lets ram it down the publics throat
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by K4JF on November 15, 2004
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<Give me a break ---I dont think your going to get anyone to give up their cell phones for an HT ... hard to make and receive long distance calls on it -- aaaggghhhh >
What a silly statement. I'm not going to give up either. They are two completely different 2-way radios, for different purposes, with no conflict whatsoever.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by GHOSTRIDERHF on November 16, 2004
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AE6IP - I stand corrected some...
Actually according to the IARU there are 3.1 million operators worldwide. There are 1.7 mil alone in Japan. The IARU states that its difficult to be accurate since many of these countries dont report the true number of licensees....
but according to the IARU for 2002
1 Japan 1.700.000 om
2 USA 682.000 om
3 Germany 66.000 om
4 England 65.000 om
5 Indonesia 62.000 om
6 Spain 49.000 om
7 Canada 46.000 om
8 Italy 32.000 om
9 Brasile 29.000 om
At the end of ’02 = 3.1 mil om in the World !
REGION 3 IARU = 1.650.000 om
REGION 2 IARU = 1.000.000 om
REGION 1 IARU = 450.000 om
The interesting thing to note is that 17 out of the top 20 countries has done away with morse code requirements.... wonder how that will eventually affect the numbers (if any)
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by N5WPG on November 16, 2004
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Hello Nils Haeggstrom
Can you tell me if that program is available to view at a later date?
Thanks,
Ralph M Bohm
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by W0FM on November 16, 2004
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NIØC--
Nicely stated Chuck.
I think one of the reasons that the average age of hams is still up there is because many new (older) hams had actually experienced the "mistique" of radio, electronics and propagation when they were 12 or 13 but, with jobs, familiy and such, didn't have the time or resources to really get into the hobby until later in life or after they retired. Just a thought.
73,
Terry, WØFM
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Ham Radio Not at Rose Parade
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by N6PEH on November 16, 2004
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This is an interesting arcticle.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206~22097~2529574,00.html
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by GHOSTRIDERHF on November 16, 2004
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Apparently the Organizers of the Rose bowl needs to read the above posts so they can see the true value of ham radio instead of using Nextel and telling the Hams to go home...
Ham Radio Operators to Skip Rose Parade:
http://www.eham.net/articles/9636
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by K0RGR on November 16, 2004
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I think you raise some excellent points, Vince, and I'm sorry that all the crabs came out to pounce on you.
I caught a very interesting program on International TV a while back - it was from Chinese TV. I don't speak a word of Chinese, but it was obviously an hour program all about ham radio in China. There was a long segment showing an amateur in his shack tuning the HF bands, and I believe he was making a contact. His shack was mostly vertical - no room to sit!
But the bulk of the show was about the radio program in the schools. They showed them teaching the young school children radio principles, and showed them building receivers, and in particular, fox-hunting equipment. Then, the rest of the program focused on radio fox hunting, which is a big sport there. There appeared to be a huge number of students involved.
Now, here in America, I can tell you that my daughter had to learn Ohm's law, Kirchoff's laws, and part of Thevenin's Theorem in 9th grade science class. How much more effort would be needed to teach the kids basic radio theory like the ARRL's big project does? Maybe we should be promoting fox hunting in this country like they do in the rest of the world? It involves radio knowledge and fitness.
I agree that some well-placed ads would help. Boy's Life would be a natural place. I don't think TV ads are needed, but the latest Walter Cronkhite video is very effective if there is someone there to help explain it.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by WA8MEA on November 16, 2004
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Speaking of China: Now there goes a ham market that is gonna burst onto the scene in just a few more years. They're already getting their first Wal-Mart stores. I see a few scatterings of websites from China hams right now. But the more they Westernize, the more China hams will pop onto the airwaves. They are the reason our gas prices are going up. More and more Chinese are buying family cars.
Won't be long and WAC will stand for "Worked All China"....
73, Bill - WA8MEA
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by AE6IP on November 16, 2004
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> Actually according to the IARU there are 3.1 million
> operators worldwide. There are 1.7 mil alone in
> Japan.
Yes, those are the numbers I used to use myself, prior to reading Speroni's analysis of the Japanese ham population. Based on the massive decline in station licenses in Japan, Speroni's estimates are much lower than that.
I suspect that if what has happened in Japan also happened in the US, but has been masked by our ten year license period, the number of 'real' hams in the US is probably closer to 250,000. The difference would be accounted for by hams who have dropped out, and won't renew, but are still on the books.
Backing this up is a large decline we've seen in attendence at VE sessions. Typical sessions at my VE group are down to 1/4 of what they were a year ago, and that even includes special sessions we do for EMCOMM classes.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by N9GQR on November 16, 2004
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Becuase of lack of time, I didn't have time to read all the posts here. The fact is that MOST people don't even know what or heard of Ham Radio! It's very sad. I get more interest from CBers asking what kind of antenna is that on your vehicle? It's a Ham Radio Screwdriver Antenna. These folks never heard of Ham Radio! It's amazing! PR is definitely needed. Amateur Radio School clubs need to start again. It's hard to convince these young folks that Cell Phone and Internet Access is NOT as fun as Ham Radio...Ham Radio?
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by G5FSD on November 17, 2004
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No need for 'promotion' - if people are interested they will find us.
Presuming, of course, that they are even aware that the hobby exists in the first place - so THAT is the point. Raise awareness, by all means. Show people what the hobby is, and what can be achieved, but don't pressure them or try to actively encourage them.
Just show them what's here, and then leave it to them to take it or leave it. It's the only way that makes sense to me.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by GHOSTRIDERHF on November 17, 2004
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AE6IP
Another thing I learnt after doing a little searching on the internet is that Japanese licensees are double counted - meaning if they get a Novice, then move to a Tech then a General to the Japanese reporting authorities thats three licensees....
Now thats a great way to pad your numbers a little also -- LOL
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KA1EEC on November 17, 2004
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in promoting amateur radio in the United States, it's important to remember that much of the activity for children is prepackaged and paid for by their parents. As a result many of the free-form activities such as amateur radio, model rocketry, model airplanes, and dog training are declining in popularity. In order to bring these activities back into some degree of popularity, it will be necessary to prepackaged them for the kids like folks have with soccer camp.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KV9U on November 18, 2004
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The issue of promotion of ham radio has been around ever since I was first licensed over 40 years ago. Without question, numbers do make a difference politically. If we had not promoted it we would have fewer hams today and likely fewer frequencies.
I was one of those kids who by age 6 was interested in science things and by 10 was interested in electricity but did not even know of electronics until at age 12 when I bought a copy of Popular Electronics and found out about ham radio. I knew at that moment that this was for me although it took 4 more years to find anyone who could help me with the test back then in our rural area.
As much as I have personally promoted ham radio, I find it very difficult to interest new people. One of the techniques I have used is to write short articles for the local paper on classes for amateur radio, ARES/RACES activities, etc. and of course put in a plug to contact me for further information. I have never had a response ... ever. Which tells you something.
I also have put up flyers at a local Radio Shack ... but have never had a response.
But sometimes you do plant a seed in someone, so you never know.
The only response I have had in the last 10 years was for a Boy Scout Troop in a nearby community ask for a demo. Which I did at one of their troop meetings. Slight interest by a few of the boys, but not enough to cause any real desire. Gave them the book, "Now Your're Talking" but they have not followed through. It was mostly the troop leader himself who was interested in promoting this.
The one thing we have going for us in this community is excellent support by local Emergency Government. And with our combined ARES/RACES organization being quite strong in here in Wisconsin, we are making some progress with EMCOMM support.
73,
Rick, KV9U
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KE4ZHN on November 18, 2004
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The best way to promote ham radio is to let it promote itself. Some will take interest in it, some will not. Its that simple
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by CALLSIGNPENDING on November 20, 2004
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THANK YOU, KA3NRX, for posting this article and starting this thread!!
I don't think it's at all a coincidence that a feature article about the need for better ham radio PR appeared just a few days after a feature article about the need for a ham-oriented Political Action Committee (HAMPAC).
A better public image and more clout at the ballot box are two different approaches to the same problem: the widespread lack of sufficient support for ham radio among the general public and its political leaders.
Fortunately, the two different approaches -- PR and PACs -- are NOT mutually exclusive. In fact, hams need to advance on BOTH fronts.
****************
As a "political animal", I am less concerned about boosting the license numbers than I am about improving the image ham radio projects to the general public (AKA the voters). To the extent they think about hams at all, too many voters and political leaders aren't nearly aware enough of ham radio's public service contributions.
Non-hams will be much more likely to support ham radio, politically and in other ways, if they see it as something which helps THEM.
****************
If YOU don't think it matters whether ham radio is viewed primarily as A PUBLIC SERVICE or primarily as a HOBBY ... then consider these words from page 25 of the FCC's October 28, 2004 Report & Order (04-245) that issued the final rule on BPL expansion (in Docket 04-37):
"We similarly do not find that amateur radio frequencies warrant the special protection afforded to international aeronautical and maritime safety operations. We note that in many instances amateur frequencies are used for routine communications and hobby activities. While we recognize that amateurs MAY on occasion ASSIST in providing emergency communications, we believe that the general Part 15 provisions and the specific provisions being adopted herein for Access BPL operations are sufficient to protect these amateur operations." [NOTE: Capitalization added by Don Schellhardt]
I'd say hams have some image correction work to do!!!!
73,
Don Schellhardt
pioneerpath@hotmail.com
203/757-1790
"Backup": 203/756-7310
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by WB7DCV on November 20, 2004
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I made myself very unpopular 30 plus years ago among my Ham acquaintances at the time by stating that CW requirements were out of date. I compared it then, and now, to something like requiring auto mechanics to be competent in shoeing horses. Sure, I like CW and still use it, however, it's always been one of the big bugaboos for aspiring new Hams. Maybe it will finally come to an end. Another big hurdle for new Hams these days is prices. I recall some QST ads of a couple of months ago---an ICOM 7800 for $10K plus and a SteppIR yagi for $4k plus. Wow! Those prices scare me and I have some discretionary income; most young folks of today don't, at least not in those ranges. It's not a good comparison to put the 7800 side by side with a PC and/or the latest cell phones with all their bells and whistles. The mystique of Hamming is long gone and we need some new inducements---and more entry level equipment.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by AE6IP on November 21, 2004
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Well, the 7800 and the top-of-the-line SteppIR are hardly meant to be entry level gear. I got into the hobby on a 706mkiig and a $50 assortment of ham sticks -- all told, about what you'd pay for a decent 'prosumer' digital camera. And, like photography, you can get by for a lot less money by careful buying of used gear
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by W9WHE-II on November 22, 2004
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If you intend to "promote" ham radio IN PERSON, for the good of ham radio, please observe a few guidelines:
1) Bathe within 8 hours of going out in public;
2) Wear clean clothes (washed since you last wore them)
3) Put your teeth in;
4) Turn OFF ALL Hts hanging on your belt;
5) Drive a vehicle with LESS THAN 3 antennas on it;
6) Leave you blue revolving dash light, ham radio badge, orange reflecting vest and your magnetic plackard signs AT HOME.
Hams everywhere will thank you for your consideration!
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by NOT4U on November 22, 2004
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I am not an amateur radio aficionado, but I am a journalist at The University of Memphis and I am doing a story on the topic, and I ran across your posts and wondered if you would mind if I used a couple of your quotes. Please email me at wheath@memphis.edu.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by WA2JJH on November 24, 2004
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Promote HAM RADIO BETTER???!!!!!!
In my neck of the woods, it is not promoted period!
Not one single PSA makes air in NYC
No posters
No ads for ham radio licensing. You do see plenty of ads for getting a pistol lic.
Sorry, I am ot going around town with my Yeasu VX-5.
I mean like I may have missed great times to show the power and range of 4W UHF/VHF.
I do not remember any great push for Ham Radio in over 20 years.
I do remember when that song "CONVOY" Hit AM BDCST radio. Like in 2 weeks CB demand went way up!
Perhaps an ultra catchy heavy metal top 40 song could be produced.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by NN6EE on November 25, 2004
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Even after 42 yrs. in this racket I still get a HUGE charge out of working "point-to-point" (domestic & DX) contacts. Now I realize with the advent of both "IRLP & ECHO-LINK" that "yah" you can work all the DX that you want, if the're connected as well to the internet, but most of us know that it's JUST NOT THE SAME THING and NEVER WILL BE!!!
Working DX using those modes are just like talking to a friend across-town on your damn "Cell-phone" so what FUN/Challenge" is that???
ABSOLUTELY ZERO!!!
Jim/nn6ee
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KA3NRX on November 25, 2004
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I do remember when that song "CONVOY" Hit AM BDCST radio. Like in 2 weeks CB demand went way up!
Perhaps an ultra catchy heavy metal top 40 song could be produced.
Yah know, I seem to recall seeing several ham radio ops who are musicians advertising their music on either this site or maybe a few other ham sites....One is here in my state of PA and the other is over in Italy....Maybe, being the creative artists they are, should combine their talents to write a pop song about HR a-la Convoy??....Hmmm....Interesting.....
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RE: Yeah, lets ram it down the publics throat
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by N0TRK on November 26, 2004
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Promotion and recruiting are two different things.
Recruit : To supply with new members or employees
Promote : TO make publicity for
Amateur radio is different from photography, needle point and pottery in that any one can practice it without restrictions such as testing, licensing, antenna restrictions. People are more likely to not object to a tower in a hams backyard if they understand what amateur radio is. How many places in the country restrict where you practice the hobby of photography. (Yes, concerts, military bases, etc.... you all know what I mean, don't try to twist the details) I am not aware of "no photography" included in any covenants nor are permits required put up tripod and take photos.
Amateur radio also is unlike the more "mainstream" hobbies in that it also provides a service. And yes... we are the Amateur Radio Service. In the course of having fun, a lot of service is provided in both emergency and non emergency sitations.
Unlike hobbies like photography and needlepoint, there is no record of your work hanging on the wall as art (QSL cards don't count!<grin>) People don't know you do it. They assume that the antennas are for CB Radio? Why? The see CB's in stores, they have heard Convoy and seen Smokey and the Bandit. And unlike photography and needlepoint, we are given use of something that is regulated. I don't foresee an shift in the amount of yarn needlepointers are allowed to use. Or that they will have to share that allocation with the knitters, never mind that the knitters need long continous lengths of yarn to do their hobby and the needle pointer needs shorter lengths, they both have to share what is there. And while needlepoint is nice, it does not offer a service to the commmunity.
Promoting amateur radio is not about recruitment, but about awareness. If nobody knows about us, nobody will miss us when we are gone.
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RE: Yeah, lets ram it down the publics throat
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by AE6IP on November 26, 2004
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> How many places in the country restrict where you
> practice the hobby of photography.
Most corporations now prohibit photography of their grounds and facilities. Most youth programs such as AYSO and little league now discourage hobby photgraphy at their events. Most public landmarks have significant restrictions on photography. Most municipalities have strong restrictions on photochemistry in the home.
And yet, photography is a huge and growing pasttime.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by W5LJM on December 10, 2004
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The only reason, I believe, that ham radio should be promoted or recognized by the public is so that residential areas with homeowners, management organizations, etc. can and will see the importance of the communications hams can offer in times of crisis and allow some type of antenna system without having a cow. Sure, some of the antennas (skyhooks) that we erect can bring a frown, but if you guys would use your imagination and decorate them with the seasons ie.- wrap lights for Christmas; a scary alien with a large antenna protruding from his head for halloween; hanging easter baskets from the elements - get the picture? If we'd do this stuff, don't you think they'd be more open to it? YEAH RIGHT! Seriously, if more people understood what it was all about, we'd all get along. BUT, I've known some people that it would be a disaster to the hobby if they had a license. So I don't mention anything about it when they're around. I guess my point is that not everyone needs to know about ham radio. Man now I'm confused.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by K4JF on December 19, 2004
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<5) Drive a vehicle with LESS THAN 3 antennas on it; >
And just what is that supposed to mean? My vehicle has 3 antennas. Factory AM/FM, cell phone, and one ham antenna.
So I am supposed to remove the ham antenna before I offer my services as a ham? Sounds rather strange to me.
The number of antennas, especially nowadays that MANY cars have 2 or 3 antennas (satellite radio is getting popular), is totally ignored by 99.99% of the public.
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Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KE6BOL on December 20, 2004
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"Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better"... both to the general public AND to the newly-licensed Amateurs! Three incidents have put me off being active in the hobby. They are...
First, I moved to the Anaheim area about ten years ago, after leaving the military (where I earned my callsign through a radio-operator's program). My current license is 'No-Code Tech.' I wanted to upgrade, so I visited a few of the local Ham clubs to enroll in a code course and test into a General ticket.
At each club, instead of meeting with a VECs or other Elmers, I was steered towards the membership officers whose only concerns were how I was going to pay to join the club. Other members were willing to sell tapes, CDs, books, keyers, and other items to me, but not a single one was willing to sit down and work the code with me.
Lesson One: "Pay to join us, or you're on your own."
Second, I was working a 2m repeater on one of it's 'quiet' days with a new rig. I called CQ [1] and asked the respondent if he knew anything about my particular radio and what a specific knob was used for. His response "Look it up in your manual [2], and don't tie up the repeater with useless questions!" This person is later became the president of a certain island-based repeater club in southern California.
Lesson Two: "Don't bother us Important People or trespass on our turf."
Third, I visited a field day site, looking for an Elmer who had invited me to sit in on his station and see how it is operated. I asked for him by name and callsign. The responses included "If you have to ask, then you don't need to know" and "We don't allow CB'ers in here" [3] and "Can't you see we're having a Field Day? Don't bother us!" I finally found the person that I was looking for. He was mortified at my report, as he was one of the founding members of the club from forty years back. He did nothing however, not wanting to 'rock the boat.'
Lesson Three: "We're special and you're not, so get lost!"
Q1) Now, would someone please explain to me why a 40-something no-code tech should receive such treatment?
Q2) Is it in the club bylaws that regular members should ignore the needs of potential members as a means of screening slackers from serious Amateurs?
Q3) What motivates experienced Hams to drive others away from the hobby?
de KE6BOL
[1] Yeah, NOW I know that calling CQ on a club repeater is unacceptable!
[2] If the person who sold me tha radio had also sold me the manual, then I would have looked it up myself!
[3] I haven't owned or used a CB radio since 1979.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by K4JF on December 21, 2004
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KE6BOL, I am also saddened by your report. As a ham of 30 years, a VE, and one who has had the great pleasure of Elmering a few, I really oppose all you heard.
Maybe we're just friendlier here in South Carolina, but that would not happen in my club. Our Field Day site is open, in a public park, and newcomers are invited to sit at the elbow of an experienced hand and take the mike or key - to learn by doing if they want, or just watch and listen if that is what they want. And we do not require club membership for help for a newcomer. The members of that club should be ashamed of themselves.
I suggest you look around for a club with real hams in it - and running it. Those jerks do not deserve the title.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KE6BOL on December 21, 2004
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K4JT,
Thank you for responding. Things are certainly different here in SouCal -- not like my old QTH of Michigan. Maybe midwesterners and easterners are the only ones who still remember what the word 'Hospitality' means.
Those three incidents I listed involved at least three separate clubs on many different occasions. The field day was in a public park near Irvine, the repeater clubs are in Orange County and Los Angeles. Each of them did not explicitely state that a newcomer must become a member before being helped; but when my inquiries at each club were answered with "Are you a member?", and then some vague reference to 'members only' club resources, it led me to believe that the days of Amateur Radio are numbered.
IMHO: "The greatest detriment to Amateur Radio is the body of Amateurs themselves."
Oh well... Time for me to stop whining and form a Ham club of my own! Wish me luck!
73
KE6BOL de Mark
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KR6AL on December 22, 2004
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KE6BOL,
I feel that you have slammed my club, the Catalina Amateur Repeater Assn, and either myself or one of my fellow club members who has served as a past president. Our repeaters are widely considered to be the friendliest in the area. (The only other local island-based repeater that I know of is the K6TZ 220 MHz repeater on Santa Cruz Island, and that seems to be a very friendly repeater as well.)
From reading your post, I am very confused. Much of what you write is very foreign to me, and not representative of our club, nor of the amateur radio community that I have experienced, here in So. CA.
>> Lesson One: "Pay to join us, or you're on your own."
Both our 2m and 220 repeaters are "Open" repeaters, and not just in the repeater directory designation. We welcome and invite all legally licensed amateurs to use and enjoy our repeaters. Our policy is, and has been, to kindly greet newcomers to the repeaters and invite them to our bimonthly breakfast meetings or other functions. We try to show them such a good time, both on the air and at the meeting, that they decide that they want to belong to our group. If you were coerced to join a club, that wasn't our club (CARA).
A note about supporting a repeater.... ours, or any other repeater you use:
Our club pays over $400 per month for site rent alone! That means that we need over 160 members paying the full $30 annual club membership dues to just cover the site rent. Actually it is much more than 160 because additional family members and all kids only pay $15. That 160+ number is for site rent only... no maintenance, repairs, upgrades, utilities, insurance, newsletter printing or postage, or transportation to the island. (when a repeater is on an island, you can't just pile 4 guys in a SUV and drive up a hill to the repeater site).
In the past 6 years, I only know of 2 instances where people were asked to join our club in support of the repeaters. Both were long term (many year) daily users of the repeaters, and one of them is still a member and regular user (and is speaking on the repeater as I type this response).
> > Lesson Two: "Don't bother us Important People or trespass on our turf."
Are you referring to the 70cm band in So. CA? If so, maybe you are correct. Take a look at the repeater directory for the 70cm band and you will find that 95% of the repeaters are listed as "Closed" or "Private". I would sure like to see more of that band allocated in such a way that all amateurs were able to use that portion of the spectrum without having to join a private, expensive, exclusive clique.
I have never been to your home state of Michigan, but what I personally have experienced when I have traveled across the country is that folks will not respond to your call on their repeater if they do not recognize you. I have been proud to be a So. CA ham, where folks are always able to scare up a friendly conversation on our repeater. It is great to hear hams from across the country or even around the world when they give a call on our repeaters from the Disneyland hotel with a HT, while on a family vacation.
> > Lesson Three: "We're special and you're not, so get lost!"
I am really confused about your experience at Field Day. Clubs get extra bonus points for setting up Public Relations booths to interface with the public and non club members. I cannot imagine the clubs placing their grouchiest SOB members in those PR and information positions.
Since everything you write is 100% contrary to what I have experienced, I am wondering if you do not have certain attitudes or expectations that are predisposing you to have negative experiences wherever you turn.
Here is a clip from a past club member, who alerted me of your posting:
> I think this post is inflammatory and exaggerated in content. I personally
> was never rustled, poked, or prodded to open my wallet for membership or
> anything else. This gentleman has a chip on his shoulder for some reason.
> There's probably a long history there that goes back to before ham radio.
I invite any amateur from So. CA or around the world to stop by either of the CARA repeaters and give a call. It would be nice to see if you experience the same treatment as KE6BOL describes or the one I have.
147.090 + (PL 79.7 sometimes required)
224.420 - (PL 110.9) On Echolink KC6PCB-L
73,
Frank - KR6AL
President, Catalina Amateur Repeater Assn.
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RE: Ham Radio Needs To Be Promoted Better
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by KE6BOL on December 23, 2004
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Frank,
All that I can say in answer to your response is that I was there when all these events occurred and I remember them vividly. They happened, and if you are offended by what I've reported, then I'm sorry. I made no exagerrations, and had no intent to be inflammatory.
The term 'Open Repeater' is a relative one. The one incident on that so-called 'Open' repeater has kept me inclined to operate simplex-only for a long time.
Yes, I know it costs a lot of money and labor to set up and maintain a repeater, and I applaud you for it. I'm sure that the members of your club both enjoy and appreciate your efforts, as well.
As for the Field Day club -- that WAS the PR booth! Granted, they were still setting up in the wee hours, but what happened actually HAPPENED.
And you're not the only one to tell me that my experiences are '100% contrary' to their own. It's not unusual for people to have their own unique experiences with this hobby; the mistake is in assuming that one's experiences are shared by all, and that the only experiences to be had are the best ones. Please note also the only expectations I had involved seeking out people who were willing to share their experiences with me, and mine with them.
To all other hams reading this: By all means, check into any repeater that you can, anywhere, anytime. Keep your contacts light, short, and pleasant. When someone asks for advice on operations or equipment, then please be patient with them and try to offer a little more advice than to look it up in the manual (and don't try to steer them towards the membership committee, either); and when someone approaches you while you are busy setting up for field day, then please ASK them to stand by until you can give them your full attention.
I apologize for any hard feelings I may have induced, and I hope that any fallout from this dialog is for the betterment of Amateur Radio.
Sincerely,
KE6BOL op Mark
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