[ARC5] Interest in "command" sets - where is a new generation?

[J Mcvey]

ARRL says membership is up.There are lots of young kinds into writing Apps, hacking  and games.Radio is a bit old hat to them, but there are some who have an interest in radio, but in a different way.They don't remember growing up tinkering with tube junk, so it's not likely that they will hare the same enthusiasm for the ARC5.I do my best to show the radios publicly whenever I get a chance. Who knows? It might kindle some kids curiosity about tube gear.
 


     On Thursday, November 19, 2015 1:24 PM, Leslie Smith <vk2bcu at operamail.com> wrote:
   

 
          The next generation of engineers (or hobbyists)

I am a member of Westlakes Radio Club.  We have few members under 50
years of age.  Yet 30 years ago the situation was the opposite.  The
club founder, Kieth Howard, was the science master at the local high
school, and every Saturday afternoon the train station near the club was
flooded with teenagers - all going to Westlakes Radio Club.  Today, our
club has about 200 members; but nearly every club member joined in the
60s and '70s.

I spoke with several people directly engaged in teaching science at the
secondary and tertiary level.  There is some interest in computing, but
little for physics, chemistry or maths.  You may substitute the word
"electronics" or "radio" for physics.

I don't know a single reader on this list under 50 years of age (but
then I apologize to those whose age I estimate incorrectly!)  In the
recent thread about the Hallicrafters S-38 I read (or at least infer) a
lot of enthusiasm for radio/electronics in teen-years; I read about
school-teachers teaching with infectious enthusiasm.  I read accounts by
list-readers who caught that enthusiasm (and who made two-way radio
contact around the world using basic stations cobbled together from
"command" sets or Hallicrafters S-38 and a one-tube MOPA).

Now, of course, we can talk around the word for a ten-cent phone call. 
We can use Skype to do the same thing for nothing!  Has the PC killed an
interest in radio?  Dare I ask a question,  "Who will continue our
interest in these old radios?"  More than our narrow interest in
"command/ARC-5" radio, who will make the next generation of engineers
and technicians?  This is an interesting question?  Is there some way to
re-kindle interest in radio/electronics?

Les

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