[ARC5] All Good Things... (was "Interest...")

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Fri, Nov 20, 2015 at 9:24 AM, Dennis Monticelli <
dennis.monticelli at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have found that "bait-n-switch" works with the younger generation.
> Start with something that captures their interest and then draw them
> further in.  A small percentage of those with initial interest will follow
> their curiosity and want to learn more.  Keep feeding that curiosity.  A
> minority of those will eventually become enamored with things of the past
> and these are your success stories.  Finally, do not expect to make
> long-term converts out of teenagers.  Just plant the seed and hopefully it
> will germinate later.
>

Exactly. I tell folks to always keep in mind that, while radio was a pretty
big deal when we were younger, it still wasn't a huge draw. Very few kids
in my school years were interested beyond listening to Top 40 music on
standard BC. Citizen's Band stirred up more interest than ham radio and
antique/surplus radio combined ever did.

Of course, it was much more accessible for those who were interested back
then. As my wife the K-8 principal pointed out when I mentioned that kids
don't even know what radio is these days, she replied "these kids don't
know what a CD (compact disc) is" which puts it into perspective.

While I do believe there will always be a small, interested group, I also
believe it's more important now than ever to make sure they get exposed to
that same 'magic' that caught our attention. And while a quick demo with a
garden variety Yaecomwood plastic radio is better than nothing, I don't
think that it brings the real hands-on, knob-twiddling magic feel that
existed for us.

In short, overall survival of the hobby as we know it really depends on how
much we want it to survive. Enough to spend time with a younger generation
without falling back on the 'they have cell phones and video games'
excuses? I'd guess for every hundred you talked to, you might find between
one and ten with some interest. Not a lot different than when I was growing
up.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4






In short, overall survival of the hobby as we know it really depends on how
much we want it to survive. Enough to spend time with a younger generation
without falling back on the 'they have cell phones and video games'
excuses? I'd guess for every hundred you talked to, you might find between
one and ten with some interest. Not a lot different than when I was growing
up.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4