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Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by WA4D on January 12, 2008
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Ham radio is not a place where you will find people who know your music or culture. I have never heard a discussion of X-Box, film, pop-culture or the net based technology that your generation is drenched with. Hams are usually your Dad's age or older and will often treat you in a paternal manner.
New hams or those interested should be aware of a generational change taking place in ham radio. The old guard is being rolled over by the blistering pace of technological change and the new generation (YOU) are said to be indifferent to the technological past. (As you know the dropping of CW still rankles old timers.)
The "Elmer" concept was created many decades ago. This Norman Rockwell image was an old man and a radio helping the youngster. It is an obsolete model. Further, there are no standards necessary to become an Elmer. No certifications. No oversight. Just anyone can declare themselves a ham mentor.
New hams should be wary of wasting their time with these would be experts. And make sure your parents check out these men that want to "help" you.
A Blog posting here calls for Abolishing the Elmer Concept. See it before you use an Elmer
http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/2008/01/end-the-elmer-c.html
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by WA3SKN on January 15, 2008
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An "Elmer" is someone who is willing to use their knowledge and experience to help you!
They do not charge for their services. All they want to do is help.
I see you do not need any.
-Mike.
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KD8FDD on January 15, 2008
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I'm 14. I think it is good to have an elmer. That's why i'm were i'm at today, Really enjoying the hobby.
73's
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KD0BIK on January 15, 2008
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WA4D, I respectfully disagree with your comment. Yes, I believe the parents (if not hams themselves) should meet the would-be Elmer....but I feel all beginning amateurs should have an Elmer.
While some things have changed....a lot hasn't. I'm newly licensed (licensed in Aug 2007), but I'm not new to the hobby. I'm 41 years old and have known about ham radio for as long as I can remember.
I believe some of the LIDS out there don't really intend to be branded a LID, it's just they don't know better. Why? Because they didn't have an elmer to help them learn the right way.
At this time I'm a no-code general. I've had discussions with fellow amateurs regarding code versus no code. From what I've heard...it's not whether a ham is a no-code ham or know code ham. The issues and some of the frustration is that new hams are simply memorizing the testing material and not having the appropriate guidance when it comes to getting on the air.
Again, I encourage all interested (young and old alike) to seek out the help of an elmer (yes if you're young get your parents OK). Contact your local ham club (use google or arrl.org) and get started. It matters less if you know CW, it matters more that you understand and practice good operational processes.
Jerry
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KB8YHV on January 24, 2008
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I think you are getting too wrapped up in the term "Elmer". We have mentors in everything we do. Somebody taught me how to drive, how to fish, how to do my job. Did I get some bad advice in any these endeavors? Probably. We are not robots. We take inputs from many sources and as we learn we decide for ourselves what is good or bad info and adapt with our own methods.
In effect, by banning "Elmers", you are asking to ban basic teaching and instruction.
Yes, technology is changing at a fast pace, but the laws of physics are still the same. Electron theory, Ohm's law, how a transistor functions, or even RF propagation are still applicable topics, whether you are wiring a high speed ethernet network, experimenting with wi-fi, chatting it up on CW, or what have you.
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KI4PRK on January 24, 2008
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All due respect, but I owe my Ham Radio life to my Elmer. Terry Hines, N4ZH may not keep up with the fast paced technology, but he tought me basic electronics, practically hand-taught me CW, helped me build my first rig, and without whom I would probably not have operated from 4U1WRC (4U1ITU) in 2007.
Every ham should have an elmer. PERIOD!
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KC8VWM on January 30, 2008
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I am pleased the author has an amazing and new alternate method of acquiring all the worldly knowledge there is to ever know about amateur radio without using any elmers along the way.
Well I think that's great. I can see how this would benefit elmers too because there will be less people to take up all these elmers spare personal time answering thier questions.
For example, elmers will no longer have to assist new people with things like helping them to design and build an antenna, wire up that new microphone for them or help them fix thier power supply when it breaks down.
Ahhh, it's a good feeling to know that some people have all the answers already and no longer have any need for my unpaid and often thankless "volunteer help" any longer.
Good stuff. I just wish everyone else born would have all the required knowlege and skill about amateur radio like the author has demonstrated.
Remember elmers be wary: Anyone can become a young ham.
73 de Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by K0DXC on January 31, 2008
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Thank you for bringing this up! I myself am only 13 years old, of course my parents make sure they know the person either whose house I'm going to or simply if they are going to give me a ride to the local hamfest.
However, they would NEVER let me go somewhere with someone THEY didn't know. It can be frustrating at times but I know they are doing it for my own good and I am thankful they care.
73, de Calvin K0DXC 13 yrs old
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KC2PTA on February 2, 2008
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I am 17, and have been a ham for avout 2 years now, I recently moved to California and had no one to help me with hamp stuff. I was soon to stumble into richard d, k6ale on 146.52 simplex on a weekly net. I got to chatting with him, and darn if he isnt the nicest man i have talked to on the air. But, he has never told me and bs, tried to get me to meet him in a secret place, or tried to scam me. All he does is sit in his shack and chat with anyone listening on simplex, and teach me about 2 ssb, and 6 meters, he helped my set some equipment up, and told me about his equipment. He is an honest nice guy, and I sure do consider im my elmer, just because i dont or havent met him, does not mean that he isnot an elmer to me. Now i am sort of getting astray, so ill sum it up. Every new ham should have an elmer. If he meets him or not, does not mattter. If your a new ham, and your elmer is a bit older, have your parents check him out, and meet him, invite the elmer over for lunch or a dinner so that way you are safe.
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RE: Young Hams be Wary: Anyone can be an Elmer
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by KB3LAZ on February 4, 2008
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Im 20 years old and have been a ham about 4 years. ANd i had the help of elmers not 1 but many. And its a good thing to have an elmer so that ur not running at the hobby blind and def... no pun intended. saying that elmers are not necessary is insane. If u want ur only knowledge to be from a pc thats cool for you. Any way being aware what kind of person your dealing with as an elmer is a good thing. but thats common sense kids hear that every day. Use good judgment and talk 2 ur parents.
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