[Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 21

[Thaire Bryant]

Check your own town on QRZ.  The total after deducting for SKs, lapsed, unused (lookups less than 100) and moved may be closed to 25% !  We need new blood, but we also need to try to keep those who at one time had an interest.  Trying to get the young interested is good, but it’s an expensive hobby and it takes a special kind of interest to start out with QRP, a wire and cw.   Those folks just retiring or close to it should be our focus.  They have time on their hands, are open to learning something new and they have the money necessary to get going in this hobby!

My 2 cents,
73
Thaire  W2APF
(Info from HamX talk by K1RV)

> On Aug 31, 2025, at 02:09, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>      (David Gilbert)
>   2. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>      (MIKE ZANE)
>   3. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>      (David Gilbert)
>   4. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>      (Walter Underwood)
>   5. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (Thaire Bryant)
>   6. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (Glenn Maclean)
>   7. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (W3FPR)
>   8. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (Edward McCann)
>   9. Elecraft CW Net Announcement (kevin)
>  10. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (dyno lab)
>  11. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (KJ7SOY)
>  12. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (David Gilbert)
>  13. Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20 (David Gilbert)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 10:45:35 -0700
> From: David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>    newcomers?
> Message-ID: <4c8cdae5-ff64-44f8-8bf4-f19d563df6ab at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> 65 years old for the U.S. is a low side estimate ... some estimates go
> as high as 75.? Check out this image from the latest Southern California
> DX Club Christmas party, or any of the multiple pictures from the Dayton
> Hamfest:
> 
> https://www.scdxc.org/
> 
> So yes, the hobby is declining and as you imply, a huge number of the
> 800,000 licensed hams the ARRL likes to tout are not active at all.
> 
> Clearly we'd all like to induce non-hams to join the hobby, but the
> reason is always to preserve it because WE enjoy it ... mostly for
> legacy reasons.? ?It's a selfish reason and ignores why younger people
> aren't interested.? Even among our own hobby, the bands are mostly dead
> except for contest weekends and FT8 in general ...? and that's at the
> peak of the sunspot cycle!? The fact is that the hobby simply doesn't
> offer much that young people can't get with less hassle elsewhere.
> 
> The most popular contests in the world are the CQWW SSB and CW contests
> that drew 35,000 participants combined last fall.? The Memphis BBQ
> championship weekend draws more than that.? The average mud bog event
> draws 3,000 people and one is held almost every weekend somewhere in the
> U.S.? Even such relatively obscure activities as those are more popular
> than ham radio.? I'll even bet that most hams spend more time on
> internet forums like this one than they do on the air.
> 
> The only two ham radio activities I can think of that have been actually
> growing are Parks On The Air and FT8, but POTA is mostly just a
> different activity for existing hams (yes, there are anecdotal
> exceptions) and most hams turn their noses up at FT8. Hams are a stodgy
> group and most resist any effort to significantly change the hobby.?
> It's dying because it won't change, and that's the way of the world.
> 
> Lots of hams (almost literally) whistle past the graveyard and claim
> that the hobby is alive and well, but tell that to all the commercial
> suppliers that are no longer in business.
> 
> Lot's of folks point to emergency communications as a reason to preserve
> ham radio, but VERY few hams actually care about it and during Katrina I
> spent many hours monitoring the emergency channels on 20m and 40m.?
> Guess what 95% of the activity I heard was?? It was relaying cell phone
> numbers from one official entity (Fire, Police, FEMA, etc) to another
> because there was so little cooperation between those organizations
> ahead of time.? The actual traffic was via cell phone.
> 
> So I ask again ... why is it necessary that we talk non-hams into
> joining us?? We don't actually care enough to offer them anything different.
> 
> Dave? ?AB7E
> 
> 
>> On 8/30/2025 8:12 AM, email via Elecraft wrote:
>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio
>> in the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined
>> by my browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K
>> number will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>> 
>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan
>> on renewing ??)
>> My wife is not active...
>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>> 
>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in
>> grade school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been
>> giving her Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom
>> class...? She did like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my
>> "old" NorCal 40.? It would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new
>> hams.? The NorCal 40 is simple to use and a single band dipole is
>> simple to "throw" into a tree...
>> 
>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>> 
>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>> 
>>> Exactly.
>>> 
>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're
>>> interested in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish
>>> endeavor.? Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do
>>> is describe what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that
>>> has any interest for them.
>>> 
>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to
>>> them, then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>> 
>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>> *
>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams
>>> in the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>> 
>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not
>>>> as a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 13:37:58 -0700 (PDT)
> From: MIKE ZANE <n6zw at comcast.net>
> To: David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com>,    David Gilbert via Elecraft
>    <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>    newcomers?
> Message-ID: <1313436232.190249.1756586278366 at connect.xfinity.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> I think youi might also tell this to all those school clubs, that at leasst get a few licensed. Listen to school clubs on the air ...alive and well.  Mike n6zw 87 years and very active, now in QRP.
>> On 08/30/2025 10:45 AM PDT David Gilbert via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 65 years old for the U.S. is a low side estimate ... some estimates go
>> as high as 75.? Check out this image from the latest Southern California
>> DX Club Christmas party, or any of the multiple pictures from the Dayton
>> Hamfest:
>> 
>> https://www.scdxc.org/
>> 
>> So yes, the hobby is declining and as you imply, a huge number of the
>> 800,000 licensed hams the ARRL likes to tout are not active at all.
>> 
>> Clearly we'd all like to induce non-hams to join the hobby, but the
>> reason is always to preserve it because WE enjoy it ... mostly for
>> legacy reasons.? ?It's a selfish reason and ignores why younger people
>> aren't interested.? Even among our own hobby, the bands are mostly dead
>> except for contest weekends and FT8 in general ...? and that's at the
>> peak of the sunspot cycle!? The fact is that the hobby simply doesn't
>> offer much that young people can't get with less hassle elsewhere.
>> 
>> The most popular contests in the world are the CQWW SSB and CW contests
>> that drew 35,000 participants combined last fall.? The Memphis BBQ
>> championship weekend draws more than that.? The average mud bog event
>> draws 3,000 people and one is held almost every weekend somewhere in the
>> U.S.? Even such relatively obscure activities as those are more popular
>> than ham radio.? I'll even bet that most hams spend more time on
>> internet forums like this one than they do on the air.
>> 
>> The only two ham radio activities I can think of that have been actually
>> growing are Parks On The Air and FT8, but POTA is mostly just a
>> different activity for existing hams (yes, there are anecdotal
>> exceptions) and most hams turn their noses up at FT8. Hams are a stodgy
>> group and most resist any effort to significantly change the hobby.?
>> It's dying because it won't change, and that's the way of the world.
>> 
>> Lots of hams (almost literally) whistle past the graveyard and claim
>> that the hobby is alive and well, but tell that to all the commercial
>> suppliers that are no longer in business.
>> 
>> Lot's of folks point to emergency communications as a reason to preserve
>> ham radio, but VERY few hams actually care about it and during Katrina I
>> spent many hours monitoring the emergency channels on 20m and 40m.?
>> Guess what 95% of the activity I heard was?? It was relaying cell phone
>> numbers from one official entity (Fire, Police, FEMA, etc) to another
>> because there was so little cooperation between those organizations
>> ahead of time.? The actual traffic was via cell phone.
>> 
>> So I ask again ... why is it necessary that we talk non-hams into
>> joining us?? We don't actually care enough to offer them anything different.
>> 
>> Dave? ?AB7E
>> 
>> 
>>> On 8/30/2025 8:12 AM, email via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio
>>> in the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined
>>> by my browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K
>>> number will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>> 
>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan
>>> on renewing ??)
>>> My wife is not active...
>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>> 
>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in
>>> grade school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been
>>> giving her Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom
>>> class...? She did like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my
>>> "old" NorCal 40.? It would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new
>>> hams.? The NorCal 40 is simple to use and a single band dipole is
>>> simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>> 
>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>> 
>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Exactly.
>>>> 
>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're
>>>> interested in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish
>>>> endeavor.? Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do
>>>> is describe what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that
>>>> has any interest for them.
>>>> 
>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to
>>>> them, then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>> 
>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>> *
>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams
>>>> in the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>> 
>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not
>>>>> as a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to n6zw at comcast.net
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 16:10:46 -0700
> From: David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com>
> To: MIKE ZANE <n6zw at comcast.net>,    David Gilbert via Elecraft
>    <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>    newcomers?
> Message-ID: <bfaa6a00-b6d3-46be-b2c0-f27e6b7e6616 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> 
> Like I said ... anecdotes.? The numbers tell a totally different story.?
> And the "everything is all right ... we don't need to change anything"
> attitude is why.
> 
> Dave? ?AB7E
> 
> 
>> On 8/30/2025 1:37 PM, MIKE ZANE wrote:
>> I think youi might also tell this to all those school clubs, that at leasst get a few licensed. Listen to school clubs on the air ...alive and well.  Mike n6zw 87 years and very active, now in QRP.
>>>> On 08/30/2025 10:45 AM PDT David Gilbert via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 65 years old for the U.S. is a low side estimate ... some estimates go
>>> as high as 75.? Check out this image from the latest Southern California
>>> DX Club Christmas party, or any of the multiple pictures from the Dayton
>>> Hamfest:
>>> 
>>> https://www.scdxc.org/
>>> 
>>> So yes, the hobby is declining and as you imply, a huge number of the
>>> 800,000 licensed hams the ARRL likes to tout are not active at all.
>>> 
>>> Clearly we'd all like to induce non-hams to join the hobby, but the
>>> reason is always to preserve it because WE enjoy it ... mostly for
>>> legacy reasons.? ?It's a selfish reason and ignores why younger people
>>> aren't interested.? Even among our own hobby, the bands are mostly dead
>>> except for contest weekends and FT8 in general ...? and that's at the
>>> peak of the sunspot cycle!? The fact is that the hobby simply doesn't
>>> offer much that young people can't get with less hassle elsewhere.
>>> 
>>> The most popular contests in the world are the CQWW SSB and CW contests
>>> that drew 35,000 participants combined last fall.? The Memphis BBQ
>>> championship weekend draws more than that.? The average mud bog event
>>> draws 3,000 people and one is held almost every weekend somewhere in the
>>> U.S.? Even such relatively obscure activities as those are more popular
>>> than ham radio.? I'll even bet that most hams spend more time on
>>> internet forums like this one than they do on the air.
>>> 
>>> The only two ham radio activities I can think of that have been actually
>>> growing are Parks On The Air and FT8, but POTA is mostly just a
>>> different activity for existing hams (yes, there are anecdotal
>>> exceptions) and most hams turn their noses up at FT8. Hams are a stodgy
>>> group and most resist any effort to significantly change the hobby.
>>> It's dying because it won't change, and that's the way of the world.
>>> 
>>> Lots of hams (almost literally) whistle past the graveyard and claim
>>> that the hobby is alive and well, but tell that to all the commercial
>>> suppliers that are no longer in business.
>>> 
>>> Lot's of folks point to emergency communications as a reason to preserve
>>> ham radio, but VERY few hams actually care about it and during Katrina I
>>> spent many hours monitoring the emergency channels on 20m and 40m.
>>> Guess what 95% of the activity I heard was?? It was relaying cell phone
>>> numbers from one official entity (Fire, Police, FEMA, etc) to another
>>> because there was so little cooperation between those organizations
>>> ahead of time.? The actual traffic was via cell phone.
>>> 
>>> So I ask again ... why is it necessary that we talk non-hams into
>>> joining us?? We don't actually care enough to offer them anything different.
>>> 
>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 8/30/2025 8:12 AM, email via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio
>>>> in the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined
>>>> by my browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K
>>>> number will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>>> 
>>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan
>>>> on renewing ??)
>>>> My wife is not active...
>>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>>> 
>>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in
>>>> grade school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been
>>>> giving her Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom
>>>> class...? She did like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my
>>>> "old" NorCal 40.? It would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new
>>>> hams.? The NorCal 40 is simple to use and a single band dipole is
>>>> simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>>> 
>>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>>> 
>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're
>>>>> interested in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish
>>>>> endeavor.? Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do
>>>>> is describe what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that
>>>>> has any interest for them.
>>>>> 
>>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to
>>>>> them, then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>>> *
>>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams
>>>>> in the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not
>>>>>> as a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to n6zw at comcast.net
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 16:24:51 -0700
> From: Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org>
> To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>    newcomers?
> Message-ID: <4CB9E295-3DA7-42F7-96F6-51ADACDF2B34 at wunderwood.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=utf-8
> 
> If you want to contribute to an existing event for youth, consider Jamboree on the Air. This year, JOTA is October 17-19.
> 
> You can find out more here: https://k2bsa.net/jota/
> 
> I can probably help you get in contact with a JOTA event in your area.
> 
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> Radio Scouting Chair, Pacific Skyline Council
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
> 
>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 4:10?PM, David Gilbert via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Like I said ... anecdotes.  The numbers tell a totally different story.  And the "everything is all right ... we don't need to change anything" attitude is why.
>> 
>> Dave   AB7E
>> 
>> 
>>> On 8/30/2025 1:37 PM, MIKE ZANE wrote:
>>> I think youi might also tell this to all those school clubs, that at leasst get a few licensed. Listen to school clubs on the air ...alive and well.  Mike n6zw 87 years and very active, now in QRP.
>>>> On 08/30/2025 10:45 AM PDT David Gilbert via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 65 years old for the U.S. is a low side estimate ... some estimates go
>>>> as high as 75.  Check out this image from the latest Southern California
>>>> DX Club Christmas party, or any of the multiple pictures from the Dayton
>>>> Hamfest:
>>>> 
>>>> https://www.scdxc.org/
>>>> 
>>>> So yes, the hobby is declining and as you imply, a huge number of the
>>>> 800,000 licensed hams the ARRL likes to tout are not active at all.
>>>> 
>>>> Clearly we'd all like to induce non-hams to join the hobby, but the
>>>> reason is always to preserve it because WE enjoy it ... mostly for
>>>> legacy reasons.   It's a selfish reason and ignores why younger people
>>>> aren't interested.  Even among our own hobby, the bands are mostly dead
>>>> except for contest weekends and FT8 in general ...  and that's at the
>>>> peak of the sunspot cycle!  The fact is that the hobby simply doesn't
>>>> offer much that young people can't get with less hassle elsewhere.
>>>> 
>>>> The most popular contests in the world are the CQWW SSB and CW contests
>>>> that drew 35,000 participants combined last fall.  The Memphis BBQ
>>>> championship weekend draws more than that.  The average mud bog event
>>>> draws 3,000 people and one is held almost every weekend somewhere in the
>>>> U.S.  Even such relatively obscure activities as those are more popular
>>>> than ham radio.  I'll even bet that most hams spend more time on
>>>> internet forums like this one than they do on the air.
>>>> 
>>>> The only two ham radio activities I can think of that have been actually
>>>> growing are Parks On The Air and FT8, but POTA is mostly just a
>>>> different activity for existing hams (yes, there are anecdotal
>>>> exceptions) and most hams turn their noses up at FT8. Hams are a stodgy
>>>> group and most resist any effort to significantly change the hobby.
>>>> It's dying because it won't change, and that's the way of the world.
>>>> 
>>>> Lots of hams (almost literally) whistle past the graveyard and claim
>>>> that the hobby is alive and well, but tell that to all the commercial
>>>> suppliers that are no longer in business.
>>>> 
>>>> Lot's of folks point to emergency communications as a reason to preserve
>>>> ham radio, but VERY few hams actually care about it and during Katrina I
>>>> spent many hours monitoring the emergency channels on 20m and 40m.
>>>> Guess what 95% of the activity I heard was?  It was relaying cell phone
>>>> numbers from one official entity (Fire, Police, FEMA, etc) to another
>>>> because there was so little cooperation between those organizations
>>>> ahead of time.  The actual traffic was via cell phone.
>>>> 
>>>> So I ask again ... why is it necessary that we talk non-hams into
>>>> joining us?  We don't actually care enough to offer them anything different.
>>>> 
>>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 8/30/2025 8:12 AM, email via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio
>>>>> in the first place??)  WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined
>>>>> by my browser) is 65 years old.  That means in 20-30 years, that 800K
>>>>> number will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>>>> 
>>>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan
>>>>> on renewing ??)
>>>>> My wife is not active...
>>>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in
>>>>> grade school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.  I have been
>>>>> giving her Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom
>>>>> class...  She did like CW (still knows it).  I may give/lend her my
>>>>> "old" NorCal 40.  It would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new
>>>>> hams.  The NorCal 40 is simple to use and a single band dipole is
>>>>> simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>>>> 
>>>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're
>>>>>> interested in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish
>>>>>> endeavor.  Evangelism is boring and off-putting.  The best we can do
>>>>>> is describe what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that
>>>>>> has any interest for them.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to
>>>>>> them, then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>>>> *
>>>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams
>>>>>> in the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>>>> than LOTS of other activities.  Is there some sort of collective
>>>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not
>>>>>>> as a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered to n6zw at comcast.net
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 20:05:51 -0400
> From: Thaire Bryant <thaire.w2apf at gmail.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <D3314779-221E-4477-837A-EB404F014341 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> Check your own town on QRZ.  The total after deducting for SKs, lapsed, unused (lookups less than 100) and moved may be closed to 25% !  We need new blood, but we also need to try to keep those who at one time had an interest.  Trying to get the young interested is good, but it?s an expensive hobby and it takes a special kind of interest to start out with QRP, a wire and cw.   Those folks just retiring or close to it should be our focus.  They have time on their hands, are open to learning something new and they have the money necessary to get going in this hobby!
> 
> My 2 cents,
> 73
> Thaire  W2APF
> 
>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 12:04, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> 
>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>   elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>   http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>   elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>   elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>> 
>> 
>> Today's Topics:
>> 
>>  1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>     (email)
>> 
>> 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>   newcomers?
>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>> 
>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>> 
>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>> renewing ??)
>> My wife is not active...
>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>> 
>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>> 
>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>> 
>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>> 
>>> Exactly.
>>> 
>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>> interest for them.
>>> 
>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>> 
>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>> *
>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>> 
>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>> 
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>> 
>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>> *****************************************
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:51:32 -0700
> From: Glenn Maclean <wa7spy at att.net>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <5EDF4425-405A-4D6E-A3E5-CAC25F7A8784 at att.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> 
>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>   elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>   http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>   elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>   elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>> 
>> 
>> Today's Topics:
>> 
>>  1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>     (email)
>> 
>> 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>   newcomers?
>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>> 
>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>> 
>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>> renewing ??)
>> My wife is not active...
>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>> 
>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>> 
>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>> 
>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>> 
>>> Exactly.
>>> 
>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>> interest for them.
>>> 
>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>> 
>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>> *
>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>> 
>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>> 
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>> 
>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>> *****************************************
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 7
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 21:53:34 -0400
> From: W3FPR <w3fpr111 at gmail.com>
> To: Thaire Bryant <thaire.w2apf at gmail.com>, elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <f545873d-9b8e-4abd-bfec-8ede95871b06 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> It used to be that one could get a transmitter at low cost - I am
> talking about only a few dollars.
> The parts from a TV repair shop (and as junk TV) could get you on the
> air and learn a bit about building your own gear.
> Those days are gone now, except for a few QRP kits such as the "Tin Can
> Tuna" ones that I believe are still available from Rex Harper.? There
> are a few more kits from places like 4States QRP and NOGA that one can
> build with just a few dollars.
> Those can enable young beginners to get on the air, but they also need
> an "Elmer" to guide them along (soldering help as well as operating).?
> QRP is difficult operating for beginners, so they need help.
> Individual assistance for the beginners is essential, but most of the
> stuff I see is oriented toward just passing the Tech test. More than
> that is needed to retain the young hams who often do not have the funds
> to purchase a transceiver.
> Those QRP kits are for HF and Techs have only limited operating space on
> the HF bands.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
>> On 8/30/2025 8:05 PM, Thaire Bryant via Elecraft wrote:
>> Check your own town on QRZ.  The total after deducting for SKs, lapsed, unused (lookups less than 100) and moved may be closed to 25% !  We need new blood, but we also need to try to keep those who at one time had an interest.  Trying to get the young interested is good, but it?s an expensive hobby and it takes a special kind of interest to start out with QRP, a wire and cw.   Those folks just retiring or close to it should be our focus.  They have time on their hands, are open to learning something new and they have the money necessary to get going in this hobby!
>> 
>> My 2 cents,
>> 73
>> Thaire  W2APF
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 8
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:55:04 -0700
> From: Edward McCann <edwmccann at gmail.com>
> To: Glenn Maclean <wa7spy at att.net>
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <E8DC446C-2E67-4962-B100-602CFD51B692 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> Count on me to buy you all a round!
> Let me know how much and where to send.
> 
> My version of support for Go-Morse-Me.
> 
> Ed McCann
> AG6CX
> 
> 
>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 6:52?PM, Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> ?I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
>> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>>  elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>  elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>  elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Today's Topics:
>>> 
>>> 1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>>    (email)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>>  newcomers?
>>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>> 
>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>> 
>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>>> renewing ??)
>>> My wife is not active...
>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>> 
>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>> 
>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Exactly.
>>>> 
>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>>> interest for them.
>>>> 
>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>> 
>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>> *
>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>> 
>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>> 
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>> 
>>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>>> *****************************************
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to edwmccann at gmail.com
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 9
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 20:54:18 -0700
> From: kevin <kevinr at coho.net>
> To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
> Message-ID: <173cacfc-bb1c-49ae-9b5e-9b07ad16adbb at coho.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> Good Evening,
> 
> ? ?It was a hazy, warm week.? I can't smell the smoke, the fires are
> too distant, but it makes the sun dark orange.? Sunsets have been orange
> to red for the last few weeks.? Makes the forest into an odd shade of
> gray.? More leaves are changing color and falling.? I'm not sure if it
> is from the smoke or a sign of an early fall.? Rodents have been very
> active.? The hummingbirds disappeared within the last two weeks.
> 
> ? ?The sun has many large, complex sunspot groups.? A few of them are
> quite active.? There may be M to X class flares tomorrow. Propagation
> could be challenging.? I expect a number of thunder storms to affect
> signals.? Sounds like a normal Sunday net :)
> 
> 
> Please join us on (or near) :
> 
> 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday)
> ?7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday)
> 
> ?? 73,
> ????? Kevin.? KD5ONS
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/goes/conus_band.php?sat=G18&band=GEOCOLOR&length=24&dim=1&refresh=true
> 
> https://www.quantamagazine.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-thirsty-20250811/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 10
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 22:11:47 -0700 (PDT)
> From: dyno lab <dynolab at comcast.net>
> To: Glenn Maclean <wa7spy at att.net>,    Glenn Maclean via Elecraft
>    <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <781609375.417948.1756617107982 at connect.xfinity.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> FT8 and some other modes have made it too easy to sit on our backsides and let the computer do the work while we gradually lose interest.
> It takes the excitement out of making contacts the hard way.
> No wonder so many are giving up.
> 
> There was a time when we built our own equipment and could not wait to put it on the air.
> We need something that makes it hard and interesting again.
> 
> I thank the Ol Man Upstairs that I still find it really fun and interesting to see a problem and go about building something to fix it.
> 
> 73,
> Hal
> W7YNC
> DynoLab.com
> 
> 
>> On 08/30/2025 6:51 PM PDT Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
>> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>>   elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>   http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>   elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>   elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Today's Topics:
>>> 
>>>  1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>>     (email)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> 
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>>   newcomers?
>>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>> 
>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>> 
>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>>> renewing ??)
>>> My wife is not active...
>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>> 
>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>> 
>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>> 
>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Exactly.
>>>> 
>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>>> interest for them.
>>>> 
>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>> 
>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>> *
>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>> 
>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>> 
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>>> 
>>> ------------------------------
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>> 
>>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>>> *****************************************
>> 
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to dynolab at comcast.net
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 11
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 22:42:34 -0700
> From: KJ7SOY <kj7soy at gmail.com>
> To: dyno lab <dynolab at comcast.net>
> Cc: Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>,    Glenn
>    Maclean <wa7spy at att.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <6582688C-D8EB-495C-B6AD-FCF3FF7ADEF4 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> I?m going to disagree with you completely. While I still enjoy SSB and CW, FT8 has supercharged my interest in radio. I find the study of propagation fascinating now that I can watch pipelines around the globe open and close in real time through digital communications. Watching WSJT-X streams and seeing the propagation paths on different bands and matching that to atmospheric conditions has given me a new appreciation for what?s happening over my head, and I never get tired of observing and trying to figure out exactly what?s making the bands open and close as I watch digital calls appear and disappear.
> 
> I don?t believe the existence of digital technologies has anything to do with the decline in radio popularity. I think it?s far more likely that the growth in instant digital communications mediums using cell phones has a lot to do with it. I also firmly believe that, like any other human endeavor, it?s not possible to interest people in radio unless they already have a predisposition to it. They have to have that spark in them (no pun intended). All we can do is show them an outlet for their interest.
> 
> 73, Adrian
> K7RJS
> 
>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 10:13?PM, dyno lab via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> ?FT8 and some other modes have made it too easy to sit on our backsides and let the computer do the work while we gradually lose interest.
>> It takes the excitement out of making contacts the hard way.
>> No wonder so many are giving up.
>> 
>> There was a time when we built our own equipment and could not wait to put it on the air.
>> We need something that makes it hard and interesting again.
>> 
>> I thank the Ol Man Upstairs that I still find it really fun and interesting to see a problem and go about building something to fix it.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Hal
>> W7YNC
>> DynoLab.com
>> 
>> 
>>>> On 08/30/2025 6:51 PM PDT Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
>>> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>>>  elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>  elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>  elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>> 
>>>> 1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>>>    (email)
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> 
>>>> Message: 1
>>>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>>>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>>>  newcomers?
>>>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>>> 
>>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>>>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>>>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>>>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>>> 
>>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>>>> renewing ??)
>>>> My wife is not active...
>>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>>> 
>>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>>>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>>>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>>>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>>>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>>>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>>> 
>>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>>>> interest for them.
>>>>> 
>>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>>> *
>>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>>> 
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>>>> 
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>> 
>>>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>>>> *****************************************
>>> 
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to dynolab at comcast.net
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to kj7soy at gmail.com
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 12
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 22:56:56 -0700
> From: David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <81a43c19-7a32-4e83-9df5-ce3f44c09c6b at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> 
> I've only dabbled in FT8 so I'm not an evangelist for it, but the
> hundreds of folks who are on FT8 almost constantly certainly haven't
> lost interest in ham radio.? They just enjoy something different than
> you do ... something that by the way has significant signal to noise
> advantages for folks with minimal antennas.? Almost all of the people
> who are active on FT8 aren't new hams ... they are hams who used to rag
> chew or DX on SSB and CW.? They just found something more interesting to
> them.? I have a pretty good station and on a non-contest weekday I can
> typically find maybe five QSOs that aren't on FT8.? You can't tell me
> that talking on SSB is harder than making a contact on FT8 ... except of
> course that there are so few people to talk to on SSB anymore.
> 
> And for sure "making it hard and interesting" certainly isn't going to
> appeal to the young folks ham radio needs to maintain the hobby. They
> have all sorts of other ways to achieve that.? The competitive ones play
> video games, the techies work with software, and the chatters have their
> cellphones (Facebook and innumerable online forums like this one).
> 
> I find it hilarious that the folks who regularly despair about the lack
> of interest in ham radio are the ones who are so very much against
> anything new that might entice new members.? Read the posts on the
> subject here ... almost every one of them (including yours) talks about
> what THEY think ham radio is about and how they somehow think that the
> aspects of it that are no longer interesting to the great majority of
> the general population are what will save it. It's like trying to
> convince somebody to ride a horse to work (or school) because THEY think
> it was more interesting than driving a car.? Nobody actually cares
> enough to think about what we could do differently that might actually
> appeal to people who AREN'T already hams ... and if they do they reject
> it because it isn't what ham radio was.
> 
> Ham radio is dying because we're stuck in the 1960's and 1970's ...
> which of course is when most of us got licensed.? Yes, there are
> anecdotal exceptions and somebody is bound to put forth an example of
> some student who just got their license, all while of course ignoring
> the fact that almost all of them lose interest very quickly.? For many
> of them, the interesting challenge is getting the license ... actually
> operating not so much.? They soon change ... we don't.
> 
> Dave? ?AB7E
> 
> 
> 
>> On 8/30/2025 10:11 PM, dyno lab via Elecraft wrote:
>> FT8 and some other modes have made it too easy to sit on our backsides and let the computer do the work while we gradually lose interest.
>> It takes the excitement out of making contacts the hard way.
>> No wonder so many are giving up.
>> 
>> There was a time when we built our own equipment and could not wait to put it on the air.
>> We need something that makes it hard and interesting again.
>> 
>> I thank the Ol Man Upstairs that I still find it really fun and interesting to see a problem and go about building something to fix it.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Hal
>> W7YNC
>> DynoLab.com
>> 
>> 
>>>> On 08/30/2025 6:51 PM PDT Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
>>> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>>>    elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>    http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>    elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>    elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>> 
>>>>   1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>>>      (email)
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> 
>>>> Message: 1
>>>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>>>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>>>    newcomers?
>>>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>>> 
>>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>>>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>>>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>>>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>>> 
>>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>>>> renewing ??)
>>>> My wife is not active...
>>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>>> 
>>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>>>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>>>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>>>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>>>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>>>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>>> 
>>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>>> 
>>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>>>> interest for them.
>>>>> 
>>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>>> *
>>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>> 
>>>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>>>> *****************************************
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to dynolab at comcast.net
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to ab7echo at gmail.com
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 13
> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 23:04:57 -0700
> From: David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com>
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
> Message-ID: <1ad9c596-34b0-4e4f-b3c0-880caf657e20 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> 
> Great post!
> 
> Except that I'll differ on one point.? We COULD come up with other ways
> to use ham radio that might ... I say might ... be interesting to folks
> who aren't predisposed to have an interest in it as it is now.? Over the
> past few years I have publicly suggested two or three ways we might do
> that (don't worry, I won't bore everyone by repeating them here) and the
> answer I ALWAYS got from almost everyone was along the lines of "that
> isn't really ham radio".
> 
> We're dinosaurs that aren't wiling to evolve enough to survive.
> 
> Dave? ?AB7E
> 
> 
>> On 8/30/2025 10:42 PM, KJ7SOY via Elecraft wrote:
>> I?m going to disagree with you completely. While I still enjoy SSB and CW, FT8 has supercharged my interest in radio. I find the study of propagation fascinating now that I can watch pipelines around the globe open and close in real time through digital communications. Watching WSJT-X streams and seeing the propagation paths on different bands and matching that to atmospheric conditions has given me a new appreciation for what?s happening over my head, and I never get tired of observing and trying to figure out exactly what?s making the bands open and close as I watch digital calls appear and disappear.
>> 
>> I don?t believe the existence of digital technologies has anything to do with the decline in radio popularity. I think it?s far more likely that the growth in instant digital communications mediums using cell phones has a lot to do with it. I also firmly believe that, like any other human endeavor, it?s not possible to interest people in radio unless they already have a predisposition to it. They have to have that spark in them (no pun intended). All we can do is show them an outlet for their interest.
>> 
>> 73, Adrian
>> K7RJS
>> 
>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 10:13?PM, dyno lab via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?FT8 and some other modes have made it too easy to sit on our backsides and let the computer do the work while we gradually lose interest.
>>> It takes the excitement out of making contacts the hard way.
>>> No wonder so many are giving up.
>>> 
>>> There was a time when we built our own equipment and could not wait to put it on the air.
>>> We need something that makes it hard and interesting again.
>>> 
>>> I thank the Ol Man Upstairs that I still find it really fun and interesting to see a problem and go about building something to fix it.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> Hal
>>> W7YNC
>>> DynoLab.com
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 08/30/2025 6:51 PM PDT Glenn Maclean via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I have to say. The on going Morse Code Class I teach at a local bar because the owner is a ham and welcomes the class. I am little by little getting more students that see our table and are curious. I give them my spiel about ham radio and why Morse Code. Which is when boom boom the lights go out Morse Code will always come through! Then the next thing I know I end up with a new student who wants to become a ham! The new students are in their 20?s - 30?s
>>>> Glenn Maclean WA7SPY
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Aug 30, 2025, at 09:03, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>>>> ?Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
>>>>>   elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>>>   http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>>>   elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>>>   elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>>> than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..."
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  1. Re: Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to newcomers?
>>>>>     (email)
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> 
>>>>> Message: 1
>>>>> Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:12:55 -0400
>>>>> From: email <email at nr3i.org>
>>>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Effective ways to introduce amateur radio to
>>>>>   newcomers?
>>>>> Message-ID: <7beb844a-160f-4775-a305-bb3ddb9d052b at nr3i.org>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>>>> 
>>>>> Why ?? (Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in
>>>>> the first place??)? WELL, In the USA, the average age (determined by my
>>>>> browser) is 65 years old.? That means in 20-30 years, that 800K number
>>>>> will be 400K without adding new (younger hams) ???
>>>>> 
>>>>> My kids are in there 30's (and have let the license lapse - but plan on
>>>>> renewing ??)
>>>>> My wife is not active...
>>>>> I know a number of hams in retirement communities that are not active.
>>>>> How many of the 800K are active ??
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have a friend (Scout admin I work with/for) that had a novice in grade
>>>>> school, she let it lapse a number of years ago.? I have been giving her
>>>>> Tech class info and she may have time to do the zoom class...? She did
>>>>> like CW (still knows it).? I may give/lend her my "old" NorCal 40.? It
>>>>> would be nice to have a kit again ??? for new hams.? The NorCal 40 is
>>>>> simple to use and a single band dipole is simple to "throw" into a tree...
>>>>> 
>>>>> 73, Steve WB3LGC
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/26/25 18:57, David Gilbert via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Exactly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Trying to talk people into being interested in things we're interested
>>>>>> in for the reasons we're interested in them is a foolish endeavor.?
>>>>>> Evangelism is boring and off-putting.? The best we can do is describe
>>>>>> what ham radio can offer and let people decide if that has any
>>>>>> interest for them.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> If we have to convince somebody that ham radio is interesting to them,
>>>>>> then it probably isn't and even if they go along it won't last.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Which brings me to this question:
>>>>>> *
>>>>>> Why is it necessary that we talk other people into ham radio in the
>>>>>> first place?? * There are supposedly close to 800,000 licensed hams in
>>>>>> the U.S., which is a bigger market and a bigger pool of like minds
>>>>>> than LOTS of other activities.? Is there some sort of collective
>>>>>> insecurity complex going on every time this comes up? And it comes up
>>>>>> with annoying frequency on almost every forum.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Dave? ?AB7E
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On 7/26/2025 2:27 PM, Fred Jensen via Elecraft wrote:
>>>>>>> They almost all view ham radio from a utilitarian perspective, not as
>>>>>>> a hobby ... they have hobbies and interests. Probably the largest
>>>>>>> non-work interests were in the outdoors.
>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>>>> Message delivered to email at nr3i.org
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>>> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>>> You must be a subscriber to post.
>>>>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>>>> 
>>>>> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 20
>>>>> *****************************************
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>> 
>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered to dynolab at comcast.net
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> 
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to kj7soy at gmail.com
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> 
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> End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 256, Issue 21
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