Kids and Ham Radio

Yesterday was a bit of a boring sort of Sunday.  The kind where it's cold outside, the kids have nothing to do, and TV is just not worth watching.

My daughter - who passed her foundation licence at the age of 11 - had a friend around to make the day pass a bit quicker.

After some cake and playing, I thought I would play the eccentric dad and get both girls to say a quick 'hello' on the radio.  Even with a licence, talking to retired men on the radio is not high on the list of girls' things to do at that age (or at any age, given the lack of women in radio).

I tried a very popular and energetic station in New York first.  Asking whether he'd mind just saying a quick few words to the kids, the operator just said 'er, yeah, thanks for the 59 (which I hadn't given him), 73'.  Eh?  I mean, New Yorkers aren't exactly known for their reluctance to talk!

Then I tried a rather less earnest Italian station.  He did say "hello!", but when the kids said "hello!" back, he just didn't bother any further and called "QRZ?"  It wasn't as though, with a 59+10 signal and perfect English, he couldn't hear or understand us.

 

This is all terribly sad.  I mean, what is it with people (men) when they can't be bothered to make a little moment for two kids - a moment they might enjoy or be encouraged by?  The kids were genuinely interested and excited, even if they didn't want to talk for 30 minutes about the latest amplifier. With such a reluctant and, frankly, dismissive response from the community, it's easy to see why kids don't feel radio is for them.

I'm not the first one to note this kind of behaviour towards youngsters on air.  It's featured a few times within the covers of RadCom, which generated a flood of condemnation, empathy and, I was glad to see, an acceptance by many that operators needed to be much more embracing of such contacts. 

I have met some fascinating, accomplished and very friendly people on air who have gone out of their way to embrace and encourage kids.

A shining example, I must say, is VK5PAS -  a very well-known and active operator who, nevertheless, and more than once, sent some cuddly toys and photos from Australia.  I think the grumpy old men have long forgotten the joy and wonder of receiving a surprise package from far away.

Many years ago (during the wonderful era of the TS50S), VK5PAS made my kids very happy.  What a shame others can't even try.

Another one I remember well is E51JD, who sent the kids a rare, mis-struck and withdrawn from circulation South Cook Islands coin.

But people like Paul and Jim often seem to be in the minority, and far too many are hiding behind their microphones, being grumpy and too ignorant to even try and encourage kids.