Ham Radio Is In The $hit!!!!

How do we get younger people excited to be a ham? We are all geeks....... And we are getting old... Comment below...
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#fieldday #hamradiofieldday #hamradioconcepts

[@smithsterj]

Eric, the one thing that attracted young people into the hobby was (the ham club) renting a space at the Fairgrounds during a Fair. We set up a tent and had 2 HF stations (we let people on the air) and 1 dual band radio. We had all the literature to make it as easy as possible. Our club grew (young and older) overnight. Hope that helps.

[@devinhedge]

Great idea. The county where I grew up and made my first contact with Skylab and then the Space Shuttle only has... 6 operators today. They used to have a booth and a GOTA station every year at the county fair.

[@smithsterj]

The good news is you’re never short of Volunteers 😎 to man the tent ⛺️

[@ok1lad159]

I'm 20 years old, I've had my license for 6 years, and I just showed my HAM radio to a friend a few months ago and he got his license last week!

[@thectyankee]

Well done young man keep it going and how about the young lady friends there have to be a few that are interested in radio also??🤔

[@dw.7655]

Congratulations, your a great Elmer

[@Tyguy266]

start posting youtube content for your friends to see as well buddy. good for you on getting your license

[@W6IWN_Radio]

Keep on sharing! ❤️ de W6IWN

[@alexharker7223]

A lot of people have zero exposure to long range radio contacts and when they see it, they’re blown away. So many people just need to witness their first QSO.

[@AI7HE]

19 year old here! I agree with you Eric that something needs to happen. I am such an outlier compared to most people my age because they don’t even know what ham radio is. The only possible solution that I see to get younger blood interested is to frame ham radio into emergency preparedness. That might be a long shot idea but it seems like the most practical.

[@digitaldreamer5481]

I think Field Days scare off too many young people who want to become hams but they see these gigantic antennas, a big radio connect to a computer and only one or two club members with headphones operating them and they just say forget it. Ham radio needs to be for all club members who wants to learn to operate the radios that they bought already…😢

[@jamesellis7637]

Price to getting started is what I have seen. People around here don't like helping get kids started I pass on equipment I can find.

[@jimgreekgamerYT]

I also agree (19 years old in a few months 20) i like ham stuff but i dont have a license yet and im waiting until i finish my University, i study Electrical and Computer Engineering (I am in Greece,Crete), so i dont have to study for the fish section of the exam. But now i play with radio (guess what ... Baofeng UV-5R) make antennas and just try to receive signals from other people and repeaters.

[@n6pud]

I agree with you 100%.

[@fenech97]

Ham Radio building electronic gadgets which become very useful later on. While I am not a Ham radio operator, Electronics is in my blood, thanks to my science teacher back in my school years. One day he started telling us about the xtal set used by soldiers during the war years to listen to the enemy. He mentioned the Diode, that's how I got interested in Electronics, thanks to that lovely glass Diode or Cat's Wisker.

[@saba39]

Ay bro you said nobody watching your Chanel but I am 13 and I watch your stuff

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Cool. It does not report that to me tho. I wonder why

[@saba39]

@@HamRadioConceptsmy birthdate on this account is like 1970s or something

[@Airwaves-Radio]

When younger people find out that I am a HAM, a common response is, "I'm coming to your house when the poop hits the fan". I think the younger generation is concerned about the condition of the world. Maybe we need to emphasize the prepping angle and disaster preparedness. Another young guy doing work at my house, commented on my tower/antennas. I said, yeah I can talk around the world, but you can do the same with your cellphone. To my surprise, he responded by saying, yes, but when the cellphones don't work, you'll still be able to communicate.

[@Tanner-s4z]

Eric I'm 14 and I watch your channel a lot and I love Ham Radio. I got into the hobby because my dad was a ham when he was 14. Just saying there are few of us young hams out there. That being said most hams I know are above the age of 40 and will start dying off soon. So you are right we do need more young people in this hobby.

[@goosecouple]

"A large US population cannot even tell time from an analog clock. Good luck !! "

[@Oldhogleg]

Yup,

[@Messymy]

Older, but want to learn. No 10:58 Mentors have reached reached back at requests to help get started. So much bickering in many FB group and technical overload especially in beginner sites by savey individuals who seem to try to put down the uneducated or newbees.Frustrating. I need simplified steps to start. Help us!

[@Oldhogleg]

@@Messymy All you really need to get technician license is a hard copy of one of the many study manuals available, plus there's apps available for practice testing, and the major local ham radio clubs usually have scheduled licensing and testing classes available. Technician study involves very little technical information, it's more on protocols, and general information. It only gets a little more technical for a General license, and much more technical for a Amateur Extra.

[@nickl3872]

100% true unfortunately.

[@Ragchewer]

My daughter is 46 with two master's degrees. She still can't read an analog clock!

[@terrys101]

Just tested and passed my general ticket today.....and I agree, but then again, I got my technician at 53. Never too late.

[@desimonevd]

Got my Technician at age 62. My Extra at 65. Damn COVID made me lose precious time. K3OCT.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Congrats

[@garytedlock7533]

I got my Technician and General last year I was 69 , Now I'm going to go for my Extra, but you said we need to get younger people involved, I'm in the top half of my Radio Club in age ,the youngest might be 50+ KD9WTH Gary 73

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

@@desimonevd Just got my ticket a little more than a month ago at the age of fifty eight.

[@sbromley6739]

You guys are youngsters. I’m 68, taking technician and (hopefully) general tests on Aug 10.

[@jackbatson8795]

22 year old new ham here. Been watching for a channel for a bit. I’ll see what I can do on my level, 73.

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

I just got my license at fifty eight years old, I've always been on 11 meters growing up. With everything going on in the world these days, cell phone service and the internet will eventually fall. There's a reason why they do Field day every year. It's all about emergency communication more than anything else.

[@W1RMD]

Shout out to you and younger hams! 73!

[@andy2E0JIU]

Eric i was doing a pota last wk and had to stop for an hour as group of teenagers came over and were very interested.more people need to stop hiding away in their shacks n get out n promote the hobby .hope you n shell are ok73

[@florian7346]

Fully agree! We have to get out and be present, kids are (usually) curious and want to understand what your doing and how it works. Hiding away in shacks is not helpful at all!

[@mtand73]

I'm very much into PR and I'm always willing to setup at public events. EVERY time I bring up a public event or anything outside the home QTH at the meeting it's crickets from the peanut gallery! It makes me SO MAD... everyone knows and says we need to get younger people into this. But they WILL NOT help me try to go out to show what we do.

[@wrexhammusic]

I'm 30 and live in the UK. I've had my foundation license (M3) since I was 12. My dad was huge into ham radio too, so I've been listening to people talking on ham radio since I was 6 years old and couldn't wait until we could get the money together to get me licensed. Once I got licensed, I'd spend my summer holidays talking around the world late at night on HF alongside my dad. I guess it's a different generation we're dealing with now, but it would be amazing to get the youngsters into the hobby.

[@dah_ditdit_dahdah]

I've been hearing this same concern for the 30 years I've been a ham. Everyone thinks the hobby will die if it's not popular with youth. Yet, the hobby keeps growing. What people fail to realize is youth isn't the only way a hobby grows. While attracting youth is great, it's also okay that the new folks entering the hobby are 40+

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

@dah_ditdit_dahdah yep, That would be me. I. got my ticket at fifty eight years old.👍

[@albisasky766]

I'm 76 and I've been a Ham for 44 years but if I were new to the hobby and listened to the bull***t that you're dishing out, they way that you're dishing it out, I'd be looking for something else to do as a pastime. You sound like an EV car salesman. 73

[@dah_ditdit_dahdah]

@@albisasky766 what the hell are you talking about? I'm not dishing any bullshit. All I said is that the hobby is growing.

[@BurninWires]

I got into the hobby to have chin wags (rag chews) around the world. That does not happen. Call CQ, make a contact, log it, all over rover. We are killing it ourselves, all for the price of completing awards for contacts. Clubs killing it, driving young people away with old folks complaining that digital is cheating, and not moving with the times. Not one Elmer in my entire area. Closest help I’ve found is 150miles away. Have you seen the rule set for field day ? Why bother !

[@Oldhogleg]

I've gotten my Amateur Extra license years ago, contest style contacts never interested me either. I got the license primarily for emergency use, plus I'm too busy with work, other hobbies and life in general to do more with it as well.

[@madcarew5168]

Used to be cb am in the UK late 70s...some years ago a mate said, ham wouldn't suit you,you like a chat but mostly all they do is swop info and that's it..found out that's mostly true..haven't bothered for a few years now.

[@jamescady723]

Good video, all points valid! Been working here locally at our radio club to light these fires. Unfortunately, not everyone has vision beyond their own experience. Being involved in youth groups, volunteering your time and introducing the concepts of ham radio, or at least making yourself available for demonstrations to scouts, church youth groups, etc....perhaps this is a start. But, you're right. Answer the question, "Why should I be interested in this hobby?"

[@W1RMD]

I'm not cutting down 11 meters, BUT it's a shame that I hear 11 meters open and NO activity on 10 except for FT-8. Again, NOT trying to step on toes here. FT-8 has it's place. I'm thinking that if people are still into 11 meters, there IS STILL interest in radio. KZbin has been a Godsend in promoting ham radio. The big question here is what is going to happen to the frequencies? As long as interest seems to go toward higher and higher frequencies, it takes the pressure off of the short wave ham bands. Hams need to talk about their hobby more. When people ask "what are those antennas for", don't say rudely "You've got to have a license, STAY OFF these frequencies!" like what kept me from getting my license over 35 years ago. I WAS interested in the hams radios when I used to pump gas and I asked the customer what that radio in his car was for. I put off getting my license 5 more years because of that ham treating his radio as if it were privileged and arcane information. One thing I've started doing in leaving my QST magazines on the table in doctors and dentists offices during a visit. We have little or no positive tv exposure outside of a few mentions in older "Simpson's" episodes.

[@danielkingshott2659]

I work in tech, I just conducted a training co-hort sync meeting at work, we're teaching them linux, I flicked over to my radio VM and showed them a few digital modes, they were blown away...

[@mrmultimediaman]

This is why I am a whole hearted Midway Museum Volunteer, who puts in 100% dedication heading the Scout Radio Merit Badge program, encouraging the scouts to put in a little more effort to get their ticket! -Our team of 10 mentors, help these youngsters with their workbook, going over each area ensuring they understand the material. They then go to the flight deck, divided into "packs" (Teams), using handhelds on simplex low power, to speak with "net control" describing various aircraft, to get a feel on how to use a radio and the lingo (Phonetics, etc) involved. After the exercise, we take them back to the classroom and sign their blue cards and again, encouraging them to get their ticket. The gratifying part...is when they leave shaking our hands and saying thank you.😁

[@vk2sky]

Nice work. A bunch of us in Sydney volunteer at the Australian National Maritime Museum, on board the RAN destroyer HMAS Vampire, where we operate VK2VMP. There is plenty of interest in radio from the visitors, old and young alike, so I don't buy all the "young people of today and their internet and phones aren't interested" excuses.

[@Flashfox_Prime]

Radios today are more and more software based where traditional "radio" knowledge is now in complex algorithms. You can't even consider repairing or modifying the current crop of SDR radsios. I built my own basic and many Heatkit radios, amps, antennas,. customized Heathkits, etc..Today, you buy appliances, plug them in, and use them. With social media and the internet, you can talk to anyone with crystal clear audio (and video), so there is no "challenmge" in talking to someone far away. Emergency measures? Unless someone has lived through some, there is zero interest. Add to this OFs that resist change ... Just look at the struggle we had to go through to change the archaic "baud rate" rule for data because OFs didn't want the change, or the OFs who insult no-coders. Amateur radio is viewed by MOST of the young crowd as "old & obsolete stuff", and that won't get better! Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet as like what you saw, the average age in the ham clubs here in SoCAL where I live is also 50+, with many in their 70's and higher (I am 71 BTW ... but I embrace technology). Like you , I have also tried to find something that will attract young blood but apart from a few techno nerds, it fails miserably. I will not give up but I can sadly see the day when ham radio becomes totally unregulated (it's almost that today), and ultimately lose frequencies to commercial interests.

[@christianknight2905]

I got into 2/70 for preparedness but pretty much quit using my gear until I saw John@spacecomms on KZbin. Satelittes pulled me in kept me interested for several years but stopped as I couldn't work the ssb birds. I have a yaesu 920 and it sounds great...when I can find a station. Little interest in HF until the Units started coming with sdr/waterfalls. I bought a yaesu ftdx10 and it's much easier to use. The waterfall gives my ADHD and cellphone riddles mind something to check out while waiting for a qso and enjoying 10m ssb and ft8. Part of the problem is young kids don't have the money to get the more interesting gear. They need to come out with some cheaper all mode, most band type rigs that will allow peeps to get their feet when. They also should open a slice of 20 for tech.

[@ke5hde]

There's a beautiful Heathkit SB220 sitting on my desk

[@khalidNroses]

I am 35 years old .. got interested in ham radio after watching the walking dead and seeing Eugene restoring communication through radio. 😅

[@philrab]

We literally just talked about this on our podcast. I’ve seen too many HAM guys try to chase away newer HAMs with gatekeeping, purity tests, and elitism. You can’t grow a community with that element closing the door behind them, and as the community ages without new blood it’ll start to die off. I got into GMRS as this element isn’t as prevalent in that community yet, and I hope it never takes root.

[@renorichard3257]

********** You are are 100% correct on all points !! I was a CB'er in the 1970's and had a few friends who were Radio tech's during WWII and Ham radio guys, well they convinced me to get my Ham Radio license with another CB Friend. This was about 1985, So I took the "New" No code test and passed and some Old Timers made some Rude comments about "No Coders not being REAL HAMS, I ignored them . Here it is 35 years plus, I still have my Original call sign, I'm still a "Tech" , the FCC gives me enough priviliges, why upgrade !! My pleasure is building and using radios ( EBay is my Toy store. With the advent of Cell phones, Kids don't want to do "HAM !! or anyone else!! Take a Test to talk on a Radio, people will laugh !! I also have had a GMRS license over 20 Years, and own two GMRS Repeaters with many users !! ............ PEOPLE ENJOY THAT !! *********

[@jmackoregon]

They need to dumb the radios down a bit add more color screens make the radios more interactive as a fun device and reach the younger crowd.

[@DavidMitchell79]

We got an amateur radio club started at the local high school. All it took was for them to know one of their alumni (Mike Barrett) was going overhead in the ISS and they could talk to him via radio.

[@yankee7664]

Yes DavidMitchell79.....that's the one of the ways...keep the new young blood interested in ham radio....73's good Dx's.....Wp4efm

[@dod-icyrainbey732]

I been doing cb for years but love to lesson to the hams talk I need to get in to ham radio

[@rickpinelli1586]

Just this week I pulled into a parking spot in front of a market, where a gentleman probably in his 60's said to me, "You have a lot of antennas on your truck". I said yes, I am a Ham Radio Operator... His response was "I thought that was DEAD" I told him no, we still have people getting into the hobby but it is not what it used to be. You can thank Smart Phones, gaming and Anti-Social Media for the decline in Ham Radio activity. Young people today expect instant gratification in what ever they do. I think they find ham radio boring.... That is my opinion... Thanks for the rant!

[@LuisPerez-xe6nu]

But if we continue this way, HAM radio will not survive the next 11-year cooling cycle.

[@vk2sky]

You should have asked why he thought ham radio was dead. My guess is that so many Amateurs hide in their shacks, so are never *seen* enjoying their hobby.

[@brentboydston2565]

The word you're looking for is Relevance. Ham radio needs a purpose that gives it every day RELEVANCE . The problem is that most ham operators think that ham radio itself is relevant. No, today what is relevant is what the ham radio operator does with his or her radio. That is, "the community benefit that is achieved by use of the radio." It's not just about making contacts; ordinary non-ham folks don't see the relevance in the contact exchange. And truthfully they have a point.

[@conradpreen2368]

For me the short answer is Morse. I got my VHF licence back 1975 at 15 years old. What to do with it? Yack away to a bunch of boring old men? Yeah I was the only teenager in my local radio club. Life intervened and I didn't have time to sit down and learn a data compression scheme from the 1800's and enjoy communication with other continents - what really captured my imagination back then. I would love to have participated in this hobby and I still have a soft spot for it. I would even like to learn Morse but voluntarily not as a compulsory condition. Things have got a little better in the last 50 years but it's still very restrictive - limited power, limited bands, limited antenna gain, limited modes just stupid limitations everywhere. Well here you are in the States and I'm in Greece and we're having a conversation here. No licence, no exams and no stupid rules! It doesn't take much to see what's killing ham radio. Hams are killing ham radio. Such a shame.

[@keesvanoosbree5911]

I am 20 years old, and also the 2023 Young Ham of the Year. I have been pondering this problem for years. We have to embrace newer technologies and pursue some crazy project that will get youth interested. I already have a book full of ideas that I keep available that have some ham radio component. 73 de W0AAE

[@Boog8302]

I am 40. Just got my license in December 2023. I work for a local school. I want to try and get a program started there at some point and see if I can drum up some interest in HAM. I just need to figure out the channels to go through. 73s to ya.

[@scotthansen4073]

You are correct. But when there's a Field Day and local clubs in different areas do not advertise , put signs up whether printed or hand written its hard to find out what a "Field Day" is all about. I tried to go to the "Field Day 2024" here in Manitowoc Wisconsin and could find Noone at the park where it was supposed to be held on Sunday. Nor any information posted on the entrance door to the local club if it was still being held or canceled !!! Disappointing !!!

[@muddytiresclub4264]

I got in radio as a teen but that was basically making a phone possible. Radio has to become a game like geocaching…radio gave me the power of communication in a vehicle. It gave me something….what does it give young people? Phones laptop, wifi.. We do airsoft style games where radio is used. You have to get a js8call message and an aprs message to complete the game…get directions via radio…make it part of the game not the focus…ATV is part of the game, that’s what I do…I’ll take pointers too…that’s my idea Eric

[@alienhunter3]

36 yo here. Just got technician this year. I have no idea what to do. I really wish that I did, because this is an incredibly cool hobby, and it would be really sad to have to watch it literally die out. I've got suggestion about how to keep younger folks interested in the hobby, but not how to get them into it to start with. How do you get people interested in technical hobbies in general? How do you compete with the internet? Young people are already bombarded by (often unwanted) worldwide communication. The fact that you can do similar things with an HF radio and no infrastructure means nothing to most young people. I think that we need to emphasize the parts of ham radio that are more than just 20 second voice exchanges with random people. It is already possible to talk to anyone in the world with almost perfect audio quality via the internet. I have no idea how to get over that hurdle for people that don't care about technology to begin with. I just subscribed, maybe someone will come up with good ideas here. I'll do my best to help however I can. Good luck!

[@KE4NAB]

Your absolutely right.....we as elmers need to pass this hobby on to the next generation or it dies with us. We had a handful of kids that came by and saw what field day was about they all seemed interested in it.

[@moojuiceuk]

39 here. Got my UK Foundation licence at the start of this year. The gateway into it for me was Shortwave listening, Meshtastic & electronics in general. The makerspace places might be a good place to demonstrate the tech. Preppers are another band of folk. How about the outdoorsey sorts who ho hiking & mountain climbing? Collaboate with some other KZbin channels doing other STEM sort of subjects?

[@chrismosquad1056]

You want a "cat call?" 😁 - How about W4BOG? "Boots On the Ground" or "K4CAT? 😅 - hihi Ham radio, in my opinion, was the original internet. You could reach out and talk to someone across the globe. The world was at your fingertips. Not only that, you learned practical skills, how things work, and physics. I love it. My opinion of what makes it a successful hobby is the people. Your last 30secs was very moving about staying up late and oping all night. I can tell you this, it's 100% the people. Younger kids aren't interested because their parents never were. You sir, are the solution. Just enjoying the hobby for what it is and introducing it to your kid goes a long way. Not everyone enjoys the hobby the same way, and allowing your kid and family to discover it along with you provides the best environment. I've always said, "Ham radio is just the beginning!" It truly is a gateway into so many other hobbies and fields of study. But, you have to be curious! Here's to another 100 years of on air enjoyment! God bless!

[@southtxblues]

I agree. When I got into the hobby I was in my early 20s. Those who had been licensed a long time were anxious to help and advise. It was wonderful. But some years after that, it became just a lot of cliques. As a member of the local club, I showed up to help with Field Day. Not ONE person offered to let me operate a radio, or even just help set up. I was at one time recording secretary of the club. After saying hello, no one even talked to me. I stayed around about 4 hours and tried to have some conversations, but no one wanted to be bothered by a new-comer, even after I had been licensed for 5 years and had my own home station. I never went back, and I dropped my membership. No one ever asked why. You're either in with the IN crowd, or you're OUT.

[@russellyeley2561]

I just got my Technician license 3 months ago. but I am 67. Our local club does work a lot with scouts.

[@JJ-el8li]

I like the idea of gamification in ham radio - my son is immersed into games and this would be a gateway for him to become interested.. I also rediscovered the fun in application development and coding for ham radio. There are tons of modules for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, STM32, etc that can be used to make radio fun. STEM programs are were you are going to win hearts and minds. I also believe that we can expand on digital modes for the youth. They don't want to actually talk to people - lol.

[@aw7425]

Eric an excellent thought. What matters is promoting the benefits of the hobby, we were social media before it became a thing, plus we need to show its ease of use and ability for quick setup and it must have a low financial entry point. Otherwise we get the I have an iPhone line…

[@tonyp4092]

At our club field day yesterday at a local wildlife reserve we set up a 3000' fence as a dipole antenna QRP using a Xiegu G90. We had a blast and had several families with kids show up, including an eagle scout.

[@pnowikow]

As a new HAM I feel the same way. I'm into emergency operations but I don't get the pota thing. Calls are short and all you do is give a signal report and you end the contact. What am I missing?

[@thormusique]

I think you’re absolutely correct. We do need to get younger people interested in the hobby. My ideas about this have changed over the years. But frankly, I’m sorry to say that what I think it will take is for the S to HTF. I’m quite serious. Amateur radio is not about instant gratification and quick hits of dopamine - it’s a very different animal. I think the ‘need’ will have to be born out of necessity. And unfortunately, I think that necessity is coming. I sort of hope I’m wrong, but I guess we’ll see. Best of luck!

[@Joe_KS1I]

I've been involved in amateur radio since 1974, and while it's unclear why we might not be noticing it, recent statistics indicate a slight decrease of 0.4% in ham radio licenses over the past few years. This decline could be attributed to the discontinuation of the Novice and Advanced class licenses. However, it's worth noting that from June 1997 to June 2024, there has been an overall increase of 10.2% in licenses, growing from 678,473 to 747,275. In my opinion, Amateur Radio will continue to thrive, much like other enduring hobbies such as woodworking and metalworking and stamp collecting. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

[@EdwardAllen-o1x]

Friendly Bunch Kids night every Saturday 8pm 3919khz

[@RoyalEngineersVeteran]

The RSGB are just going through the same problem right now we all need to encourage young blood all over the world by the way love your content keep up the Amazing work Hi from Stoke on Trent UK 🇬🇧

[@RoyalEngineersVeteran]

The RSGB are going round the schools and groups like the Army cadet force for kids

[@markgutierrez9295]

Maybe starting a summer school HAM radio program across the nation.

[@K5JHP-John]

My 20 year old son found that engineering professors from his school he's attending are active hams (Extras). He's ready get started. He helped me pass general. He can easily get a tech and ham.

[@MrTommy001]

I just got into HF this year I'm 78. I've had a tech license for 30 years but only used it for 2m FM. Now I'm hot for HF - long story. I'm loving it. Got my general four months ago. I think POTA could possibly attract younger folks. Just sayin'. How about TV ads? Or ads that show up in video games.

[@DarrylSmith52577]

I feel like the most important thing about ham radio is that this world is set on a course for disaster and when the power grid is gone and cellphones become unreliable, whether it's due to solar activity, or an emp, or who knows what ham radio is going to shine. It already has proven itself in emergency situations. Who really cares whether you can talk halfway around the world, or to the ISS. It's when you are on the front line of an emergency situation, that's when you will realize your full importance. There are a lot of young people who would opt for that opportunity. Darryl Smith AI0DS (Extra) Oskaloosa, Iowa.

[@leandrolaporta2196]

Man you are right, it's hard to explain for youngsters what it meant for me to be a ham radio, the best times in my life I've spent with radio buddies, the greatest people I've ever met, where ham radio operators, sadly i was in a hard spot and have to stop, and dedicate full time to work do i Lost 15 years of the hobby, now I'm back and much has changed, and yes we are mostly 40 and up (50 here) got my license at 17 i was a kid!, You inspired me with this video, i will start getting youngsters to the hobby, 73!

[@mikecricket113]

Eric I worked 20-40 m all night long for my local club. Had fun on 40 from 2:30 am till 7 am. Worked loads of stations. Kids YL’s too. The youngest member in our club is 11 yo. Second youngest is 26.

[@stahpit1971]

I recently seen a yt couple operating on the beach i was watching the background and most of the kids that walked them were very curious about what they were doing. I wonder if some clubs along the coast could setup a "beachday" and try to grab the attention of kids and parents.

[@Ewmcdona]

Hey what does the ‘copy 1 delta’ part of your field day exchange mean?

[@n6pud]

The hobby no longer offers incentives for the youth. I have 4 adult children. They all have 0 interest. They ask questions about the bands how things work and how they can get licensed. This is the point when they lose interest. They also tell me the radios cost a great deal of money. This is where we are losing people's interest in this hobby. I love every aspect of this hobby. I have gotten people involved in this wonderful hobby by giving demos of it in action. I guess it is a niche crowd-no cell phones are involved. I guess I am with you Eric 100%.

[@bigmackstruckstop9213]

I've been a tech ham operator for 5 years and then passed my general ham class license,I was hoping you would do a video on what you talked about and I will share this information,young people like cellphones,I don't 😊

[@mattmaier1864]

Hello Eric, My name is Matt Maier. I am at the very beginning of my Ham Radio Journey. I sit for my Tech license in mid July. I could not agree with you more regarding the next generation of Hams. I am 46, and as I said, I am just starting my journey. I wish I got into it when I was 20.

[@machfive916]

Got all 3 tickets back in late 2018, early 2019. Bought an Icom 7300 and all the fixings. They have been in my closet ever since. Gonna finally get a storage room in my house cleaned out and turn it into a shack. Hope to be on the air in 60 days. I have a 12-year old son that is interested in the hobby and hope to get him involved. K2CDM.

[@patring620]

Maybe the problem is with voice mode ops. The KX1 I built years ago (I rarely use my KX3) and various CW-only QRP transceivers are daily drivers (I love the Penntek TR-35). Perhaps the prepping angle needs to be played, too. Small, portable, rugged gear that can be easily stored in a backpack may pique the interest of new hams with a certain mindset. Elecraft's new KH1 may intrigue a non-traditional set of new hams (especially those with deep pockets). I think there has to be a challenge or a hook to interest youth that won't be met with the "Roger! Roger!" activities. Perhaps demonstrating operations using a kit that could fit in a sandwich bag to communicate nationally. Maybe showing portable gear for POTA and SOTA, using solar panels to recharge or something similar. You need to show these kids (and older adults) something other than $1300 IC-705s with a microphone and a Buddipole. That's just not necessary for ham radio. You can get on the air with a Venus SW-3b or a QRP Labs QMX for way south of $500 (all in...Battery, antenna, cables, a decent key, and even a tuner). Finally, and this is probably most important, Morse code is cool.

[@royceweslowski3730]

100%. Repeaters are usually quiet around here. Not like it was when I started 28 years ago. Hf isn’t much better even with good conditions. Too easy to for the younger ones to text.

[@halledwardb]

We need more kids. It's a great hobby. My 2 daughters are Generals. The 2nd daughter got her General at 11, and the other received General at 13. They learn a lot of stuff.

[@EWSRadio]

The average age of ham radio licensees is 68 years old. I'm older than that. How do you get young people who have phones that reach all corners of the earth to get excited about using a radio to do that? I love it because I've been doing it since I was pre-teen. But it's challenging to get young people to find it exciting.

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

Hey Eric, Yes, I think you are wrong. I went to the Lake County Amature Radio Association, and we had a GOTA station. I saw 3 little kids between 7 and 10; their eyes lit up when the little box with the lights answered them on Field day. The video will be out this week. I also talked to some 16 -13-year-old kids who were also there learning about HAM Radio. Relax the future is bright. It is not up to the kids to find out on their own; it's our job to do it. You are right on that. Keep up the good work.

[@kant777]

Well change the concept than, if app,pc,drone,decoding,offgrid is attracting. Combine it with our hobby and maybe the cq will come back.

[@jamesschmaus8597]

Exactly, push for the cellphone radio thing. Apps, remote operation. Big fat old radios and antennas are for big fat old people

[@markthomas9493]

Ok, Eric I agree with you 100% about the hobby. I live in Australia, and studing for the Foundation Licence at the moment. I played around with CB radio in the early 80's, and the thought of talking to someone a fair distance away was pretty cool. Now for me, the idea of making a very basic wire antenna, and talking to someone in another part of the world is exciting as it is listening to shortwave radio. I see the biggest problem with ham radio is Smartphones, Social Media and Gaming Consoles that are dominating the minds of the younger generation. A good example is playing a mulitplayer game of Call of duty, (for example) using a large TV screen on line and competing with players from other countries and talking to each other in real time. So what could we do: Maybe clubs do a field day at a local park, each month, envite the local newspaper/TV station and do a display of every part of the Hobby ie, all digital modes including satelllite tracking and making contacts via satellite, contacting the ISS, EME, how repeaters work, ham radio TV. You might do this in the states already, but you have to have a WOW factor to atrract the younger crew.

[@kennygraves489]

Being into offroading and struggling for cell signal at times was a big inspiration to me. Especially pota and sota stuff. So maybe try and get that crowds attention. Look for off road events and go set up and talk to people

[@anothersilverstacker6757]

As a 35 year old I have been interested for about 10 years, from what I have heard and experienced it’s just the time to get past the test especially with the quick satisfaction factor, with the gmrs license letting you just pay for the license. The cost of equipment and the current economic situation would sway younger people to say just pay for a cellphone to communicate.

[@pale_2111]

I'm 38 and active on the hobby. From local repeaters, D-STAR, YSF and just everything on HF except cw. There are 3 operators including myself that are under 45. Honestly, go to local festivals with some club members or someone who chats with you on a local repeater and set up a POTA or just call cq to have a conversation with someone.

[@KX4UL]

Excellent points Eric! I agree we need more younger HAMs. However, I don't see the lack of kids, teenagers and younger adults in the hobby as the end of HAM radio. Most people get the desire to be a HAM in their later years. Look how many new HAMs are 40 years old and up. It seems there are those that have to sow their wild oats and once they mature, they can appreciate HAM radio and they become interested in getting licensed. But I agree, we need to promote HAM radio and try to interest our younger people every chance we get. A good call for 'Boots" would be: K1TTY... O-ooppsss, already taken...73!

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Aloha Eric, I totally agree with your statements for this video. Let’s be honest, the hobby is pushing the younger crowds away faster than we can attract younger people to it. I absolutely dread the ARRL Field Day every year because that have only one or two hams on the on the EARC Club radios with headphones on and they are contesting with who, we don’t know? Frankly, we don’t F’n care either. We ask the club president every year weeks before Field Day if we could set up and show off our Xiegu G90’s and Icom IC-705’s and work the world on QRP and every year, we get a big fat NO! So why even bother going to Field Day at all? They don’t 😢want the younger Hams there as much as we don’t want to be there. The contesting portion of the Field Day must come to a stop so that the rest of the club membership can set up their rigs and enjoy the hobby. Let the rest of the club membership set up their rigs and work QRP to work the world. Then club members can work with each other for once and learn something from the older Hams. Plus the fact that all the rest of the club members are just sitting on their thumbs during Field Day is not very appealing to me either. I wanted to bring one of my G90’s or even my 991A so that I can enjoy Field Day. This must and/or need to be addressed. As an additional note, not one member wore any shirts from the ARRL and that is because in the 20+ years, the ARRL has been printing their Field Day shirts in these odd “vomit” colors and just won’t buy one, period. I have complained to the ARRL about the “vomit colors” of their Field Day shirts every single year and now they are going out of business. Just print black shirts with different color writing and the same with red, white and blue shirts also, normal color shirts. I’m never going to renew my ARRL membership no matter how much I love this hobby. The ARRL has been in the business of scaring off all of us Hams and it’s very difficult to get new people to join the hobby now. The only, only, only reason I would maintain my membership is for the hard copy of the QST Magazine, Phuc the Internet or online version! For over 20 years, all of us Hams have begged the ARRL to come out with “NORMAL” looking Field Day shirts instead of these STUPID vomit colors and our requests never makes it past the gal that answers the phone over there and maybe it’s her colorblind hubby that is designing these UGLY shirts. Eric, these Amateur radio clubs need to learn to adapt to the times. That contesting during OUR Field Days must go and start allowing all club members to enjoy Field Days for once! 👍

[@rickgilbrt]

70-yr old ham licensed in 2014. Field radio is probably one of the better avenues. Not just Field Day, and not off in some isolated site for POTA. Be visible and radio-active. And with SSB or a digital mode other than CW. Hook with the science and technology, with at least a touch of SHTF "how's that phone working for you.". I got in because of CERT, but I think too many entering that way stop at Tech level. I think one needs General to have some serious fun building stuff and trying it out. Antennas are the one area where solid state electronics have't gotten in rhe way of real experimentation.

[@Dalek_Krypto]

I don’t know what club you go to but In my club theres 3 young hams in ours. I’m in the uk and I’m 15 and a Ham Radio Operator . 73!

[@johnvecchio4186]

Interesting thing was we were just talking about the exact same thing at our field Day down at the Dade Amateur Radio Club in Miami.

[@KC0VFO]

I’ve been watching your channel since I got my license in April of 2009. I’m just now surpassing the requirements to be monetized, slow but sure. Keep at it. 73 from KC0VFO in Aurora, CO.

[@TobotronPrime]

100% I took my license in my early 30s but it all started when I found an airband radio at my uncles house and sat there listening to all the conversations. Then it picked up again with cb radios during the 90s and 2000s Now we have to compete with phones and their glossy software. Ham software looks like 💩 and it’s fiddly to use with many rigs. I think if we made the software way nicer, more like discord than terminal commands then younger people would try it out and then find it fun to do and try all the other things. I don’t really like talking on the bands myself, it feels weird. But tapping away on digital is easier and less scary.

[@BartlettTFD]

As a senior citizen and a retired Broadcast Engineer, I can tell you, you’re absolutely right! The entire field of radio is NOT interesting to the young people of today❗️ Why❓ We all grew up listening to AM radio, then FM radio. I built the AM transmitter (all tubes) for the college I attended. For us, vacuum tubes, capacitors, resistors, coils, and don’t forget those big transformers, were fascinating. We tinkered with our b/w television set. I remember going to radio shops as a kid way before Radio Shack was even thought of. Radio and then black & white television, then the excitement of “The following program is brought to you in living color on NBC” All of that was my world. Fast forward to today, the overwhelming majority of young people DON’T listen to AM, FM, or over the air television. They STREAM EVERYTHING. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon music, etc, etc. Ask almost any young person about whether they’ve heard of receiving television through the air. I have and they haven’t‼️ Broadcast Engineering has become a lost art. The solution, I honestly don’t know.

[@pablogartze]

It’s a shame that every time a ham operators dies he gets not replaced. Me personally think that we as ham radio operators should be friendly and polite I find out that some guys are not friendly at all especially when we communicate in other languages besides English. 73 73’s N3XCP

[@terryshrives8322]

Aint gonna happen because this newer generation could care less. This all started with cb radio in the late 90s. Its just a matter of time. With all this new vr and virtual reality plus cell phone and computers, its a lost cause

[@Jeff-sp7bg]

Late 90s? Cb has been around long before that lol

[@garytedlock7533]

I was 69 when I took my technician, and 4 months later, I took my general, now I'm trying to decide if I want to good for the EXTRA class or not

[@denelson83]

I got my ham radio licence when I was in my mid-20's, and I _really_ enjoy this hobby. We definitely need more youngsters interested in ham radio. 73 VE7NDE

[@timdietz350]

There's a fundamental problem with the nature of the hobby itself as far as attracting young people, at least as far as HF goes. Young people generally have less access to the necessary funds and space (property) to make use of the HF bands. The occasional field day isn't going to be enough really. There are plenty of young people on on HTs that may open the door to further exploration one day when they have some money and a yard.

[@stevemindy5253]

HRC helped me so much, times I was so lost. Tech in 2021, Gen in 2022..... Thanks Eric

[@WQFT99]

I'm 41, just getting into the hobby seriously this year. I just joined the local club and am the second youngest member. I'm starting to think about how to attract others to the club. I think there are plenty of people my age and younger that could certainly find enjoyment and excitement in the hobby. I believe there is a large portion of this demographic that are fed up with the current state of (not so) social media and would embrace something like this as an alternative way to connect with other people. Granted, I'm completely out of the loop with the current 20 something crowd, but I can see 2 main barriers to entry: First, lack of exposure. It's hard to get excited about something you've never seen or even heard of. Second, the cost. Even for a middle aged person with a career and a family, a decent HF setup is no small chunk of change. It also helps if you own property to put up antennas. No way I could have done this in my teens or twenties unless someone was heavily subsidizing me. Living expenses are climbing and an ever smaller percentage of the population has the disposable income to put towards things like this. Perhaps having a club collection of gear that could be loaned and/or donated to aspiring young hams? The best thing I can come up with is trying to reach out to other organizations such as scouts or maker/robotics type clubs where there might be some crossover interest. Personally, one of the things that appeals to me the most is the eccentric, "old school", decentralized, analog nature of it. Digital modes don't appeal much, honestly. I like staticky HF and simple voice communications and am learning CW. I like that it is an alternative way to tinker and enjoy technology and electronics while being the antithesis of the bleeding edge, main stream, latest cell phone type tech. A technological counter culture perhaps? I don't believe I'm alone in the desire for this type of outlet. Interestingly, the youngest member of our club is the only other person there that seems to be interested in CW. Mostly, I think it just comes down to showing others what's out there, and then being helpful and welcoming if they show some interest.

[@TS950SDX]

Just a suggestion what if the contests were more regimented in that they did not consist of huge antennas and masses of extra power. What if it was 100w TX/RX on dipoles and everyone taking part had a chance to speak and not get swamped by the big guns. I agree that i wish i could afford the big station and be gauranteed endless contacts but as stated i would find it much more satisfying to know that any award earned or contact made was through an equal challenge and not strong arm tactics. Certainly outside the realm of competition the larger stations have a place in bringing bands alive for the masses and making contact with friends etc etc. Maybe getting the competitive spirit going would entice the youger generation to get into the hobbie without being overwhelmed by the cost and futility of calling but not being answered and giving up. Parents would also be more inclined to offer this hobby to the youngsters knowing that it could be done within an affordable realistic budget, opening up all different aspects of a fascinating pastime with endless educational threads. Just a small rant one of many. Thanks for reading this. GM0EEH PS when was a competion ever won using a dipole. QRP guys have the right idea.

[@killerandom2]

I often wonder this myself. I'm a newer ham in my early 30's and the very first thing that I noticed was there wasn't many young people in the hobby and everyone my age doesn't know what ham radio is. When I try to explain it to them, they think I'm crazy and that I talk to aliens! I personally enjoy the science of ham radio and love the technical challenge of it. Luckily for me, in my area, most older hams are inviting and willing to "train" newer younger people into the hobby. As younger person I've been pondering this for a while now and still haven't had that light bulb moment for a solution. Maybe a digital mode something similar to FT8 but can have more full conversation QSO's similar to texting on a cell phone? Maybe add more HF privileges to the tech level license? I also wonder if the ARRL can do more with engaging with high schools to teach students of the hobby/science of radio. The reality is we are asking young folks to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on equipment to operate a somewhat outdated form of communication (except for emergency situations for modern communications outage) to me it's not outdated because modern communication outages still exist. Maybe the hobby will still continue to grow with as younger people get older and maybe become more appealing to them. There's no good answer to this that I can think of.

[@StanHirson]

This thread is inspiring me to try something in my small rural community. Most people I know( and in a small town you know most peopl) are aware that I “do” radio but they have never seen me do it. So I'm going to try an experiment:. I will set up a QRP rig with a vertical whip in some very public spots. I will use a small external spesker so if snyoe is curious they can listen. I think I will forego mu KX3 in fsvor of my Xiegu x6100 with the waterfall nd graphics. I speak fluent French and German so I will work 20 M and higher for some DX QSOs and see what happens. Just a thought,worth a try. Get out of the shack.

[@ledguy315]

I worked yesterday and heard a young man on 20m and three young ladies on 40m. It was awesome hearing them but I never got through their pile ups. Also I'm 32 so not old enough for my ham hat yet. 😂

[@robertmoss440]

We need radio classes in High Schools.

[@vzwopx]

As a new HAM in the early 30s: Digital modes is the way.

[@jexarbor9344]

I got into ham radio about 3 years ago and tried to get my friends into it but only 3 were interested and no one studied. I'm 40 and all my friends are close to my age to 50s.

[@rossbassette7518]

Eric, I got into ham radio after watching a video of you doing QSO's wit a FT-817 at Vero Beach.

[@DavidMitchell79]

Add a gaming interface for the spectrum screen on the vase stations?

[@corradoQC]

I'm in my mid 30s and got licensed in mid 20s. I would personally like to see more DATA\DIGITAL\NETWORKING stuff. I would like encryption to have some room for experimentation in the hobby, not to exclude or hide from anyone, but purely from an experimentation and learning aspect. I feel that the hobby is not at the edge of technology like it once was because of rules and regulations.

[@Singletracklover]

Don't forget crusty old men yelling at you because you said something out of order or left something out. They suck the fun right out of that hobby, Was a 2M tech in late 70's early 80's. Never had the room for 40 or 80M. If you have not noticed 11 meters is coming back big time. All the fun minus the BS and no toilet bowl spam on 7.200 to listen to. 73

[@Eugen963]

Any worthy activity is a challenge and learning process. Music instrument, hunting, ham radio, sports etc. If people want to invest time rewards are knowledge and experience

[@401ksolar]

Ok here you go... Basic electronic projects that have relationship with current tech at an elementary level , example, not amateur myself, however I have helped people of ALL ages with a simple micro powered ( in house only) audio/video analog tv modulator project which can take the composite signals from an old analog camera and send it to an old tv. Another example, a simple 386 audio opamp for a tiny guitar amp or dual for an external speaker that runs from the many devices with line/headphone out, These simple circuit projects applied to the devices that would normally go to landfill provide the desire to learn more, it eventually leads one of two ways, license amateur path, or professional path. When suggesting projects I never start in the middle. Works like this... if an alegebra teacher starts with transposing quadratic equation formulae the student will despise the class. But if the teacher shows them a tangible use for basic equation theory in Thier current situation that is helpful they become receptive or gain desire to learn more. BTW algebra teacher = Elmer in this post.

[@temetvince]

All the young people I’ve seen in ham radio are on fire. I believe the hobby appeals only to a select few. I’d rather invest in kids who are into the hobby than try to convince someone that the hobby is appealing for them.

[@uslines]

When can you meet youth face-to-face? Well, most likely weekends, when they are not in school and you are, probably, not working. Where would you meet and operate? Most likely in a local public park or your own backyard. What are they going to hear or read that Saturday or Sunday afternoon? ""CQ test". What are they going to say or think? "Boring, is that all there is?" "I can play video games with others on an international level and I don't need a government license to do so". I think, if you can get a few of them to tag along on a SOTA expedition, with minimal equipment in your backpack this summer (non weekend!), they might find a rugged, outdoors environment more challenging. At least as an introduction to the hobby. Then, take it from there. But, no getting around the fact that an FCC license is a requirement at the end of the day.

[@MentalWhiplash]

I'm in my early50's and the only place I've seen lots of operators in their 20's is doing Parks on the AIr, and a lot of them doing FT8. That's what they want to do and what do they hear from the people that should be "Elmers"? They get told "that's not real ham radio". So, yeah, clubs need to police themselves, starting with "don't be a dick" to new operators.

[@OnAirVoice]

You need some cool tech to draw people in. Back before cellphones it was great to have a handheld radio where you could talk to friends or make a phone call {autopatch). We had a FSTV repeater here that was great to get on and chat. We did events with FSTV using balloons that was a lot of fun. Not sure what tech can draw new young people in they can’t get elsewhere.

[@jayKQ4DUX]

I'm 48 and I think the second youngest in our club . This year was my first field day. I have 5 kids, my youngest is 11 and he's interested in the hobby, the rest are teenagers and couldn't care less. It was also interesting that I was the only one making cw contacts, some of the older guys know code but don't use it anymore due to declining health and skills. Many of the others just have no interest....that's fine it's an al a carte hobby take what you want. I have no interest in digital modes. Our club does little to no outreach to bring in new people, and I think we need to be demonstrating at schools, church picnics, walmarts etc. Ham radio is one of those things most people have heard of, but few know about, and fewer actually do it. Right on Eric, we got to get the young people involved. I think the 10-14 age range might be the best target.