[Milsurplus] encouraging seniors to join ham radio

[Hubert Miller]

I went to one meeting of the ham radio local club. I don't know if it's typical, but I didn't go back. It was in a large room, seats around the
circumference. People took seats. Some kind of technical talk was given. Then everyone dispersed. No mingling to any degree.  I thought,
like the church I attended in my youth. Perfunctory.

I was out for a walk one day in summer and saw on the walkway above the beach, a panel truck was parked and the area roped off. There were
portable antenna skywires crossing above the truck, and some kind of activity going on. Some sign said something like "Amateur Radio Emergency
Preparations". I approached but was intercepted by some fellow who was apparently a "guard". I mentioned my ham call letters, which made no
impression whatsoever, so I surmised the "guard" was some kind of borrowed help, a non-ham type. They had picked a nice scenic view location, on
the walkway right above the ocean beach, which of course blocked the walkway to other visitors. They could have set up in an uncrowded city park
parking lot a quarter mile north, but that would lack the scenic quality. This 'emergency communications setup' was prominent, in a location with
walkers passing through all day, and I think probably would have interested some passers-by, but there was absolutely no hint of invitation to
myself or any other passerby to visit and see and learn what was going on. Maybe it was a Top Secret operation ? I think a National Guard or police
operation would have actually been more receptive to questions, less cloistered.

So I thought, "Well, I hope you all enjoy what you're doing; It's clearly very important."

I contrast this with a couple antique radio clubs I belong to. Visitors are welcomed, asked their interests and to introduce themselves, and there is
plenty of time for free-form mingling.

So: "How To Make Ham Radio Irrelevant".
-Hue Miller K7HUE
Newport, Oregon



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