Survey Comments
Preselector MFJ 1040C
Hello.
For many radio amateurs interference is a big problem. I was very interested in this preselector of company MFJ. I wont to ask who had practical experience with this preselector and how effective is it?
Thanks. Alex. M0LUX
Posted by
M0LUX on 2022-12-04
Lack of public awareness...
... is our biggest problem. The percentage of the population that is even aware of the existence of Ham radio is very small - multiply that by the small percentage of those that are aware of us who might actually want to join us and it's no surprise that the rate of newcomers entering the hobby is low and the proportion of them that become long-term active hams is disappointing.
The danger in discussions of this kind is that it descends into a "Build a better mousetrap..." - your mousetrap could be excellent, but you'll still go out of business if nobody knows about it. Advertising is very expensive - as I know all too well, having had to plan advertising campaigns. I don't think there is any Ham advocacy group such as the ARRL or RSGB that could afford the amount of air-time it would require to raise our profile noticeably.
Posted by
G8FXC on 2022-12-02
electronics courses in high scool
When I was in high school we still had industrial arts, aka shop classes, including electronics. Now I think they are all but gone. The electronics class was where lots of kids were exposed to electronic components and what they did in a circuit, and often the teacher was a ham with a working station in the class. We can't blame the current students for their lack of interest because they aren't exposed to ham radio and may have never heard of it. Also for me, CB was big back then which added to my interest in all things radio. I knew a few hams too which helped motivate me. I think now the emphasis is on STEM classes and computer science and the like. Nothing that gets your hands dirty. Auto shop? What is auto shop? Car techs only need a laptop now.
Posted by
KG6BRG on 2022-12-01
Cheap World communication is no longer the thrill.
The internet and its many app's has done away with much amateur radio interest, let's face it, it's always more reliable to send a free email with pictures, even video calls, to Uncle Bruce in Australia, rather than waiting for the right propagation to call on amateur radio.
I think we have to push the making friends all over the World aspect, calling "CQ" and not knowing who will answer. But then chatting for an hour about each others hobbies. Even the possibility of meeting up with these friends at a later date in far-away countries. My QRZ page does not have pictures of my radio and antenna, but it has pictures of me flying paramotors, metal detecting, off-road motorbiking, SCUBA, fishing and hunting. Chatting about these hobbies, or their own hobbies, opens up many avenues of be-friending these mates I just haven't met yet!
Posted by
G0WKT on 2022-12-01
Motivate youth with ham radio
There is a serious disconnect between all the aged hams I know and the youth of today. It might make more sense to solicit answers from youth. I spend time with my young grandsons who all have an interest in this hobby. Empty your antique mind and try to enter theirs. Off-grid, space exploration, and digital, digital, digital are where their world is going. Anything done with them must involve computers, tablets, and/or phones. Don't even mention CW/
Posted by
KO1TOP on 2022-11-25
Getting the younger generation interested ..
1) Getting into H.S.'s that have "Clubs".... a lot of high schools have activities clubs. Introducing our hobby at this level with the voice of our community's "Ham Radio Clubs" would be the perfect platform . "Field Day" is anotherway to promote. When I got into the hobby about five years ago people would ask me , what is so exciting about sitting at a desk and talking to someone you don't see or know ? I would tell them it's kinda like the old days when you you were in school or even out of school when you had a "Pen Pal" to write to, except now there are other forms of communicating ..SSB , CW, FT-8 ..ect..
And in closing, visit the local Boy Scout Troops or Girl Scouts , they have "Merit Badge" programs in place that kids would love to learn the
world of Ham Radio.
Posted by
KM3C on 2022-11-24
Other - Promote things ham radio can do that a cellphone can't do
Partly STEM, partly gaming, partly off-grid I suppose... but novel things like setting up Satellite stations, specialized contests, and CW. Now you might ask why I said CW... well, in a recent "get to know your coworkers" event at work, we each talked about some interests and hobbies we have and I brought up ham radio. The aspect that really grabbed the younger crowd's attention was Morse Code... how to learn it, how to use it, did I really know it? wow. Similar result at a recent Maker faire. CW is one aspect that hams and ARRL really don't think young people are interested in, but my experience suggests otherwise, and I think ARRL is way off the mark. Other than a tiny brief description of it, you can't even find a Morse Code listing in new handbooks now. I think hams need to get out more to youth events and see what they are doing.
Posted by
VE3WGO on 2022-11-24
I’ll say other!
You want to target the younger people who will be around the longest to keep our hobby going. The Digital modes are the areas of focus to get them started. I work with hundreds of 20 - 40+ year olds in a training environment each year who are on their phones all the time. This is the age so let’s adapt them to Ham Radio by utilizing technologies they have with them 24/7. To have them introduced to basic digital modes with their phones, tablets and computers will direct them in having a home shack in order to run their different modes. Then gradually getting them more involved with other aspects of the hobby. It’s all about technology. There is so much going on right now with the hobby and so many great things to come!!
We are living in such a “different” and awesome era now!
Take care everyone - VE3NMW
Posted by
VE3NMW on 2022-11-20
Nobody has said "other" so far
So where is the (PLEASE STATE) except via a comment like this?
Anyway I think the answer is really parts of the first three answers, sorta like ALL OF THE ABOVE. Exception: do not make licensing requirements easier for Techs, perhaps ARRL to provide better packaging on how to get your license training. Let me explain:
1. Under 40 is a huge category. Some will like Emcomm, skywarn, prepper aspects perhaps more in the 20-40 bracket, clearly a get outside with mobile options. HS & college and other technology groups (IT, engineers, teachers) could favor the STEM side. Gaming could apply to any competitive groups in that age bracket (eg, I got hooked at Field Day decades ago and still enjoy casual contesting).
2. What ever happened to the proposal a few years back to expand Technicians to more HF options? Give them a few digital subands like 10, 15, 30m. 10m SSB is opening more but why not 21.4-21.45 or maybe 20 khz on 17m SSB? Make STUDYING for the Tech easier too. ARRL has some great links to Casler's youtubes but personally I think there are too many. Modify the Tech License Manual to give a maximum of five 30 minute youtube sessions to drill down on the more non obvious topics.
73 K0VH in SE MN
Posted by
K0VH on 2022-11-19
Promote several aspects to attract all ages.
Promote emergency response, Contests, ADRF, & STEM aspects. I do not support relaxing licensing requirements. A U.S.A. Ham license is not all that difficult to obtain.
Posted by
KL7AZZ on 2022-11-18
Other
Social media campaign Showing Ham radio usage in various situations. . . Feature clips of ham radio usage from movies!!
Posted by
K1PEW on 2022-11-18
Nothing Will Change
Why do some may folks have their head in the sand? Amateur radio has become passé. Young people aren’t interested in it and nothing is going to change that. Accept reality and move on.
Posted by
WA5VGO on 2022-11-18
IC-7851
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Posted by
W3AE on 2022-11-17
Attract all age groups
"The should be an emphasis on attracting the young, but there should also be an equal emphasis on attracting 35+ year olds that are likely to have more disposable income."
K4GTE summed it up.
My father who is now an SK (VE3WEE) obtained his license when he was 74 years young. There are many activities within the hobby to attract all age groups. Many clubs have builders groups, repeater groups, fox hunt, etc. Our club holds a breakfast meet most Saturday mornings for eyeball QSO's. There is much for all age groups.
Posted by
VE3EGP on 2022-11-17
No Single Solution
I really don't know what to do to attract people to the hobby. We've already made the testing process easier. To me - there's no one thing that will make the hobby attractive to newcomers. I do believe that the proliferation of HOAs isn't helping any.
Posted by
K7CB on 2022-11-16
A different world today
VE3CUI said it very well.
Fifty years ago when I was just getting my feet wet in ham radio I was surprised at the number of folks, including those my own age, who were at least somewhat interested in what I was able to do. Being able to work others at a distance, "with no wires", seemed enchanting. It still does to me but the world has moved on. The ability to move/exchange information over long distances is now available to anyone, including the 15 year old walking around the mall with a cellphone.
Lets recall that for us OT's, we took a trip to an FCC office, got to meet the kindly FCC examiner with the skinny black tie and Buddy Holly glasses who watched as we proved our ability to copy CW and take a written test. We were only too happy to undergo this pilgramage to obtain a license. I'm not entirely certain that if today you offered fee licenses in cereal boxes that there would be much interest. Time, does indeed, move on.
Posted by
WB0FDJ on 2022-11-16
"There But By the Passage Of Time, Go I..."
Ham radio back in the day had a whole different appeal from what it has to offer (if any), to-day...
Back decades ago we amateurs WERE the nerds-hackers-computer addicted crowd of the past few decades. The magic of radio, and the ability to communicate over vast distances "...without wires(!)" was still amazing to most everyone, and held youth in awe and wonder as to the possibilities of it all.
But to-day...?
A hand-held flip phone pulled outta your breast pocket is all that you really need to talk to somebody in, say Australia --- "Who needs all that junk on the table...? And that awful-looking outside tower and antenna, too...?!" The world has changed. About the sole remaining thing that might attract would-be newcomers could be the allure of the world of shortwave radio. But even here SWL'ing is, for all intents and purposes, DEAD --- unless you might actually ENJOY listening to raging bible-thumper broadcasts, or right-wing oral diatribes, that is.
No, I'm afraid to say that what I hear more and more from people that I might run into is that "Ham radio is a thing that only old people mess around with. Does it still even exist...?!"
When I have CW QSO's on 40-meters and almost NEVER run across any Ham who is less than 60+ years old, even I have to wonder at the number of days left for the hobby...
Posted by
VE3CUI on 2022-11-14
Attacting people to Amateur Radio
The fastest growing activity in the US is Pickelball (4.8 million) compared to 770900 licensed hams. Figure out why and you may have an answer.
K-12 schools are the best source of potential hams, this should be the focal point.
Radio no longer has the appeal of the 60's as the magic technology. Young people now have better means of communicating.
Time to move on.
Posted by
W2UIS on 2022-11-14
Techniques to attract young peopla
In addition to the first three, ham radio offers so many aspects and opportunities to attract young people. I'm sure I'm missing dozens here, but consider:
> learning morse code
> DX
> Digital
> Moon bounce
> UHF & VHF
> Programming
> Software development for HR applications
> Much, much moore
Posted by
W6KGP on 2022-11-13
Almost all of the above
Ham radio is very much a multi-faceted hobby.
All of the above applies, except making the licensing requirements easier. There are just some things you have to know to have any success in ham radio. I think the requirements are about as minimal today as they can realistically be. I know this because I teach licensing classes.
Don't forget the social aspect. Find a good club, become a member, and get involved. You never know where those personal contacts may lead. I've had a few of those over the years that ended up leading to some incredible job opportunities.
Posted by
N8AUC on 2022-11-13
Make it harder
Re-institute a Code required license level….Maybe the old Advanced class with a 5-10 wpm requirement. Make it challenging again. Get real people instead of short term appliance operators.
Posted by
N6XJP on 2022-11-13
Promote CW, QRP, and wire antenna.
1) Reintroduce CW entry level exam at very basic level, 5 wpm.
2) Promote QRP, ability to build, modify and repair your homebrew stuff.
3) Promote wire antennas construction.
Posted by
KD7RDZI2 on 2022-11-13
Young yes, but don't forget the older
The should be an emphasis on attracting the young, but there should also be an equal emphasis on attracting 35+ year olds that are likely to have more disposable income.
Posted by
K4GTE on 2022-11-13