Jeff Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the qrplist gang
----------------------------------------------------------------------
An idea has been kicking around my old cranium for some time. It
still hasn't fully formed, but it's far enough long that I wanted to
put it out "there" and solicit some thoughtful feedback. In some
coherent form, I'd like to send it along to the ARRL for
consideration. Maybe something might come of it. Or maybe not.
It seems that despite the best intent of individuals and the ARRL,
youngsters are staying away from ham radio by the millions. While
there are notable exceptions, for most young folks ham radio is about
as exciting as watching their hair grow. There are near constant
efforts to make it more "exciting" for the younger crowd, but I
really think that you'd be pulling one of your own lower appendages
if you think this has been even moderately successful.
If there is a problem here, it's that amateur radio is just not as
enticing to young folks as it perhaps once was, and therefore it is
becoming a hobby without a future. If no new folks join us, in 30
years we will go the way of the dinosaur.
So here's my idea.
Let's say that the ARRL (and others) re-direct these efforts on
growing the ranks of amateur radio by specifically appealing to the
aging baby-boomers ... the 48 to 65 crowd. Here is the hook as I see
it ...
Soon to be retiring boomers (and there are a LOT of them) are going
to be bored out of their gourds when they retire. They need a hobby
and the more challenging the better. They have money, so buying new
equipment isn't such a big deal as it would be for, say a newly
licensed 14 year-old. Having disposable income is a good thing as the
ARRL will be able to solicit the help of equipment manufacturers in
an all out advertising campaign to attract this targeted group.
A high percentage of the boomers are well-educated and getting a
fresh injection of enthusiastic, well-educated new hams with some
financial means and plenty of free time on their hands might do our
hobby a world of good. On top of that, this group votes ... if
100,000 baby-boomers joined the amateur radio ranks our political
capital increases by an order of magnitude in Washington.
I figure that the ARRL could partner with AARP and other such
organizations to get the word out - they might even come up with some
plan to offer a joint discount - AARP members get 20% off ARRL
memberships, etc.
One benefit seldom mentioned it that there may be important health
benefits for these folks to get involved with amateur radio. Just
maintaining regular QSOs with others is a social activity that is
good for the soul and the brain. For all we know right now, operating
CW, building kits, learning radio theory, etc. probably helps combat
dementia and Alzheimer's disease. If you read any information from
the national Alzheimer's organization you will find that their
studies show the importance of keeping the brain active as we age.
In a nutshell, ham radio is a great hobby, but let's face it, it's an
old man's hobby. What's wrong with that? I have nothing against old
men. I've been licensed since I was in high school but between
college and marriage and starting a family my amateur activities
ground to a halt. From what I can tell, that's pretty typical for us
all. As I got older and the kids were growing up or moving out, I
began to have more time for the hobby again.
I have nothing against trying to interest youngsters in amateur radio
but the effort is not without cost. I see no reason for the ARRL to
spend a great deal of time, effort and dollars on gaining just a few
new adherents, when they could expend the same energy and dollars and
gain a whole lot more. That's just called efficiency.
Oh, and there is one other benefit to targeting older folks ... we
are older. I have to believe that it's MUCH easier for a 55 year-old
to tell another 55 year-old about the hobby, and make a positive
impression, than it is for that same 55 year-old to try and explain
it to a 16 year-old. We relate best to those who are like us. That's
my theory anyway. :-)
So having put all that drivel into writing, I'd be interested in your
thoughts, if have any.
--
Jeff, KE9V
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Submissions: [email protected]
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe qrplist in body
Hopelessly Lost: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message
Zerobeat Web Page: http://www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
