[PPRAANet] A reply to ARRL article “Too young for Ham Radio?” (QST February 2013 p 99)

[Mick Sparling]

**

*“Too young for Ham Radio?”* /(QST February 2013 p 99/).

This article is totally *opposed *to my thinking.We need to be 
*inclusive not exclusive!*We need to get kids involved in amateur radio 
as young as possible (even at age 6 if they're really that motivated) 
and, if necessary, provide them proper adult supervision in their 
*_licensed_* on-the-air operating activities - just as much as anything 
else they do.For instance, this is so much better than just letting them 
“play” with seemingly "lawless and rude"**CB that is filled with its own 
brand of misguided "radio ease" lingo.Unfortunately, this is too often 
the *first radio communications experience*, serving as a bad example 
and, *like it or not*, a de facto *"training ground"* for so many would 
be hams.

The current entry level test, now *Technician Class (!),* even with the 
published question pool, is *hard enough!* However we could petition the 
FCC again /(*and again*/) to include questions about proper on-the-air 
language and operating procedures.Really, it's not that hard being 
taught respect and protocol - is that aspect *even mentioned* in the 
radio club sponsored license preparation classes offered these days?We 
should try being *mentors* or, at the very least, just be more *patient* 
and*serve as good examples* to all newly licensed hams no matter how 
young or old they are!I’ve thought a lot about this and, from now on, I 
will try my darndest to take that to heart myself.

BTW, I was first licensed in 1957 as a *Novice* at age 14.In retrospect, 
I only wish I had found out about ham radio, gotten a license and 
on-the-air *even earlier*.Maybe there needs to be another, more 
inclusive, *new entry level license *created with similar goals, in the 
same spirit and with its own band segments, something like that old 
Novice Class.Considering this *newer world *we live in**with its PCs, 
Family Radio, CB and Cellphones, etc., are there any *_fresh and new 
ideas_* out there on how this could be created to be inviting, 
compelling, *_relevant_*, free of predators and *properly managed(!)* - 
a *“young-people* *oriented” *entry level Amateur**Radio License?If this 
is *not done*, ultimately deregulation will come and *licensed amateur 
radio,* as we’ve known it, may well *“die on the vine”* just like the 
rest of us “old guys” and cease to exist *(QST magazine along with 
it)!*We need more “young blood” - it’s important – so, if you’re so 
inclined, please *think and communicate *about it!

Finally and seriously, my thanks go to my Mom and Dad (gone now) for 
their early support and funding that "sparked" not only ham radio, but a 
long and enjoyable career in electronics from which I am now retired!

Respectfully & 73,

Mick Sparling, W6LVW

Member ARRL