[Elecraft] Reaching across the chronological divide

[David Haines]

Only five years ago did I get my license, even though I was interested 
in radio sixty years ago.  My sons, now in their early 30's have watched 
my radio activities with curiosity.  A few anecdotes:

1)  On a camping trip for the three of us in Adirondack Park we set up 
my Buddipole and KX3.  They were astounded.  One said "Wow, it's amazing 
what signals and people are around us all the time!" He's a successful 
robotics engineer who is as immersed in today's technology as much as 
anyone.  He can run a million-dollar robot or his house from his 
smartphone, but the experience of sitting at a remote campground and 
talking to people with 10 watts and AA batteries still intrigued him.

2)  My other son was complaining about a DZOTA on his commute and 
suggested we explore it.  Having no radio other that what was in his 
car, I tuned in 1710 KHz AM and we listened.  He drove around the area 
noting the changes in QRM, sometimes obviously a advertising sign, but 
above it all something loud going on in an area that seemed to delineate 
his DZOTA.  At one point we wandered into a school parking lot, thinking 
the QRM was coming from the school, but it didn't pan out.  He will have 
fun tracking it down.  His career is in cybersecurity.

3)  One son was amazed to see my QSO with  Antarctica with a KX3, 
KXPA100, and a simple wire dipole.  Both sons understand communications 
theory well enough, but have trouble grasping the reality of capturing a 
signal that is 24 decibels below the noise floor from such a remote 
place.  When I told them my .25W WSPR signal was picked up in Tasmania, 
they believed me, but only. When I explained to one how easy it would be 
to use the shortwave radio I gave him to monitor my activity on FT8, 
even in his apartment, maybe with an antenna connected to his rain 
gutter, he was intrigued but skeptical.

They know there is still magic out there.  They probably could get their 
Technician without studying.  Will they get their licenses?  At times I 
have a study manual with us and ask questions, some of which are just 
basic common sense or stuff that is useful to everyone.  Their response 
is, "Are those real questions?"  They are both primed to be curious 
about amateur radio (one even uses SDR's in his research!) but, despite 
my encouragement, haven't taken any tests.  Maybe one problem is that 
our kids are too "tested out" from this education system and are afraid 
of failing once again.  Since their dad passed all the tests, they know 
it can be done.  Does it help to hear that if you fail a test, it 
doesn't go on your record?  Or to hear that you don't need a score of 
100%?  We've all heard potential hams say, "Oh, but I don't think I 
could learn Morse code."  We need the exams, but maybe they are an 
artificial barrier?

david

KC1DNY

On 12/13/2019 9:24 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> Hams of a certain age, including yours truly (first licensed in 1971) recall their excitement on joining the hobby: there was the promise of contact with faraway places, collection of vivid QSL cards, mastery of esoteric equipment, synchrony with the rhythms of Morse code, and the crafting of antennas to harness action at a distance.
>
> Most of us still feel that spark, occasionally--some on a daily basis--experiencing the wonder all over again.
>
> While the accoutrements and equipage of youth have evolved over the decades, their DNA has not. Somewhere, nestled between the genetic codes for half-pipe snowboarding, Instagram, Juul, and ambient house, there's a dormant sequence for the Radio Art waiting to be stirred.
>
> Is there a Battle Royale for ham radio? A tactical RPG?
>
> What is our sorcerer's stone? Our rap?
>
> Will Gen-Z or Gen-Alpha tickle the ionosphere, and if so...why?
>
> To hand our batons across the chronological divide, we'll need empathetic, open-ended inquiry.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
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