Why Aren't the Communicators Communicating?

A couple of years ago, in the face of tough times ahead, the RSGB appointed a Communications Manager - Heather Parsons.  In essence, as it was portrayed to me by Graham Coomber at the time, this title meant 'PR person'.

I was happy to see that development, because a search online at the time revealed precisely zero news items about amateur radio on the internet - and the same number in the mainstream media.

Now, in 2016, I've repeated the exercise, and listened to Ms. Parsons give an interview on the DX Coffee website, back in later 2015.

And guess what?  No news items about amateur radio are to be seen, even now!  If it wasn't for the Southgate ARC, there wouldn't be much of anything at all about ham radio on the internet.  I've seen one - actually quite good news item on the BBC, possibly just prior to Ms. Parsons' appointment, and seemingly the product of a single club's efforts, rather than the RSGB itself.  And then - nothing.

Ms. Parsons notably makes no reference to PR in the mainstream media when she gave her interview.  Whilst she mentions the attempts to engage "the youth" through some snazzy online videos that really don't impress me much, everything else seems to smack mostly of internal communications.

I'm sure Ms. Parsons has her work cut out, trying to drag the RSGB into the 20th, let alone the 21st century.  I'm beginning to think she isn't being given the right directions by the Board or, worse, is being throttled by them.

So far, the RSGB continues to look from the outside as an organisation that really hasn't turned itself into anything remotely appealing. 

Looking again at their 2013 survey (a new set of results is due in 2016), you can see why the RSGB should be worried: those in the 40-55 age range are far more likely not to join the RSGB than any other group.

Those older than this clearly just become tired and lazy, never bothering to cancel their subscription because it comes to be seen as something they 'have always done'.  The younger ones are simply voting with their still-active minds and feet, and seeing the society for what it is or, rather, what it isn't.

Many continue to label the RSGB as "elitist" when I talk to them.  To be honest, I can see their point, not least because RadCom is so different to the ARRL's QST.  QST is engaging and full of articles that assume you know nothing about the topic being featured - and then provides you with some education.  RadCom, on the other hand, invariably features some ludicrously niche project requiring advanced skills that often seem to - and indeed do - originate from those who have reached a great age, and lost contact with components smaller than a brick.  I've a lot more faith in QST product reviews than those appearing in RadCom, too!

OK, there is now the 'Basics' and additional, more technical magazine.  But I'm not sure this is going to make any changes to the membership.  What the RSGB really needs is something of interest on newsstands - which RadCom isn't.  There's no point shouting into an empty room that your hobby is really interesting.  Yet, in essence, that's what the RSGB keeps doing.   That's why its membership is marching towards a cliff edge.

So, I will keep on monitoring to see whether or not the RSGB will ever start to send out press releases to the papers and the broadcasters - and that the happy message about ham radio ever makes it to those who might be interested.

For sure, it will be interesting to see the outcome of the 2015/16 survey...