[AMRadio] Comment to a comment

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 10:33 PM, Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 10:07 PM, Todd, KA1KAQ <ka1kaq at gmail.com> wrote:

> We have members in our radio club that work each year with the Boy Scouts
> for their merit badge, their Jamboree on the Air event,  and also go a fine
> job of getting kids groups to Field Day etc.  Over the years,  that
> activity has netted only 1 youth,  and she's in our club only because her
> dad is.  We do try,  but I'm afraid the root cause of the issue is that
> amateur radio offers little to compete with the internet, iPhones etc.

That's where the hands-on nature of old radios with glowing tubes and
dials, building your own gear, and other tactile experiences work
well. Keep in mind that amateur radio was never a huge hobby for kids,
only the few who really were drawn to it. In fact, I don't recall
there being any hams in my high school (I wasn't licensed until a few
years after graduating). One of the fellows in the local club I used
to belong to was a teacher who had a radio club at his school in the
80s. He was able to license a number of students over the years, but
it was never a lot.

I guess I'd look at the percentage of population who are licensed, and
go back over past years for the same info. You'll find that it wasn't
a large amount. Apply that to the overall take. Also look to see what
the presentation is like. I've always found kids more attracted to
older gear where they can actually fiddle with the knobs and see the
results. New radios don't offer the same experience, though some will
be attracted to them. A good mix works best. Field Day or other remote
operation is a good time to attract kids as they get a better
appreciation for sending radio waves around the world from the middle
of nowhere, with no phone lines attached.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4