W2AGN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the qrplist gang
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Jeff Davis wrote:
Jeff Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the qrplist gang
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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.
That's because of cell phones, computer games, and various recreational
drugs that interest today's young people.
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.
The idea that someday these "young people" will be the leaders of the
world make me glad I won't be around in 30 years!
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.
Good idea... Hey, I ARE one!
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.
How about something a little more worthwhile than an ARRL membership.
How about 20% off your Winlink modem? Anyway, I have neen a member of
AARP for almost 20 years, and have seen them go from representing older,
and retired folks, to becoming a liberal organization right up there
with the Sieraa Club, 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.
Yeah, look how it's worked with Karl....
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.
Actually, it is a good idea. This is a group that may even still be
interested in CW, if only for nostalgia.
--
_ _ _ _ _
/ \ / \ / \ / \ / \ John L. Sielke
( W ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( G ) ( N ) http://w2agn.net
\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
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