From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Common Enemy of Amateur Radio
Date: 22 Aug 92 12:27:27 GMT
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Gannett Technologies Group

In article <454@arrl.org> jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) writes:
>
>KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM; KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM
>Personally, I don't think our Washington problems could have
>been solved by spending more money. You reach a point in 
>negotiations where further effort or expenditure is pointless.
>Just because you're right, it doesn't automatically follow 
>that you're going to win. Just ask the former residents of
>Sarajevo.

Re the NRA, they don't just negotiate with BATF, they also actively
lobby Congress critters. An organization with 3 million single issue
voters that can generate tons of mail on demand is something Congress
has to listen to. I know that the ARRL finally has a full time lobbyist
in Washington, and that's great, but we haven't been able to generate 
the volume of letters needed to effectively apply political pressure.
When the ARRL reaches 3 million rabid members, we too can be an effective
force in Washington. No commercial interest can deliver that number of
*votes*, PAC money or no.

Now the question is how we grow to 3 million. Ham radio is seen as an
old white male's hobby and QST and the ARRL field organization do little
to change that perception. That's not really a criticism, ham radio
*is* an old white male's hobby by and large and the League just reflects
it's membership. But if amateur radio is to continue and prosper, that
has to change.

THe SERA Journal features *young* hams having fun on it's cover, QST
should too. Inside, QST should be highlighting new and exciting things
to do in ham radio. One reason you see so much DXer bashing here is 
that it isn't seen as new or exciting by a public used to worldwide 
telecommunications. It certainly *is* exciting to sedentary Type A
retired people who still need to compete to feel alive, even if the
competition is a little silly. But younger people are generally in
better physical condition and prefer activities that are a little
more challenging than sitting in front of a bunch of Japanese boxes
all day. In Europe, radiosporting is popular. Foot transmitter hunts 
are popular.  Building is popular. Mountaintopping is popular. The 
challenge of microwaves is popular. Younger people do it. They like 
to stretch both their minds and their bodies. QST should promote 
activities geared to younger, more active, people too.  Wouldn't it 
be nice if T-hunting became an Olympic sport like shooting is in the 
Biathlon?

But to get there, it's going to take more than a magazine. It's going
to take a vital field organization active in promoting and running
events. It's going to take younger people who will step forward and
meet the challenge instead of being relegated to the back of the meeting
hall. The Atlanta Radio Club is providing communications for a major
charity motorcycle run. 1500 motorcyclists are riding to raise funds
for the March of Dimes. When they appeared for a promotional announcement
on TV, every one of the hams were grey, pot bellied white males. It's great 
that old people get involved, but it's bad for our image when *only* old
people are seen to be involved. I *know* there are younger hams, people of
color, and females too, who belong to the club and participate in events. 
But they are pushed to the back when it's time for pictures.

Ham radio's image is in bad shape, and the League needs to take a leading
role in changing it. Leading by example is always more effective than
a "do as I say, not as I do" method. People who sit on their hands at
club meetings when volunteers are needed aren't helping amateur radio.
Old geezers who crave the spotlight and hog the credit aren't helping
amateur radio. Only active, involved, *excited* people will help 
amateur radio. Those people need all the support and encouragement that
they can get, from the League, and from ordinary hams. Next time your
club is in line for some positive PR, push the youngsters to the front.
It's their turn.

Gary KE4ZV (semi-geezer)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc