Do what you can, but do something!

(Belated) Happy World Amateur Radio Day!

I was very pleased to see, this weekend, a positive post over on Facebook by YL Marija (YU3AWA), who is well-known on various social media outlets for promoting a modern take on our hobby.  Marija was celebrating the day with a great collage of images, including plenty of youngsters.

Fishing for radio waves(!)

 

The likes of the RSGB could do well to take note.  No 'male, pale and stale' out in social media world.  Committees are irrelevant, as is the ownership of huge antennas, £5000 transceivers, and a nice 'baby boomer' pension to pay for it all.

It struck me that the individual can make a big difference to our image, out there, amongst the public.  As it warms up, I'm now out at some point on most days with my FT818.  

I attract a lot of curious passers-by, and without exception, they are pleasantly surprised to find (a) that amateur radio is still going, (b) that communication around the world is not only possible, but being shown to them in front of their very eyes and ears, (c) that a ham operator is willing to spend some time explaining it all to random strangers.  Oh, and (d), that a fully-fledged, internet-connected computer fits in their hand. 

Youngsters know nothing about amateur radio.  Older people will invariably have this image of us in their heads.  Do something positive to change it!

 

Of course, you have to overcome the inevitable and endless question, 'have you caught anything?' when working at the coast.  But a funny response is a good way to break the ice and begin your positive presentation of ham radio in practice (I've often thought of placing a collection tin for donations to charity if someone asks this question!) You have to abandon any notion of being stuffy, and embrace self-deprecation.  You also have to get over any reluctance to engage, which I admit is sometimes a challenge when your interface isn't triggering the rig or something!

We can do a lot more for our hobby by being out there, talking to and educating the public, rather than staying indoors, or complaining our national society isn't doing enough. So, why not give it a try?  As well as teaching others about your hobby, you will invariably learn something from others, whilst getting a good dose of sunshine and fresh air!