The Problem Plaguing Ham Radio
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- Опубліковано 19 лис 2022
- This keeps popping up more and more often... what do we do about it?
I'm Sick of this and it needs to Stop
• I'm Sick of this and i...
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I'm Sick of this and it needs to Stop
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Hey Hayden! Well said. I think that we all have a tendency to only hear the vocal minority that says this or that is terrible. And that is how they choose to live their lives.
But I think that you are trying to put something positive into the world, whether it is ham related or not. There are those of us who value that. I just want to say thanks for that. Your enthusiasm is enjoyable to watch and viewpoints are always worth a click.
There's absolutely no denying everything you said in your statement about the hobby is so true and that is just reality but I think education and knowledge will fix this issue and it starts with a new generation to make it all good again, Radio clubs need to come back to all Schools across the world😎💯
I have often thought that it would be a good idea if hams would go into the public schools and introduce Ham Radio to the students. Hands on instruction is best.
I think ham radio is ripe for revolution. And the internet and social media is something that can save it.
You are absolutely right we need to reject the whingeing and negativity (It's an issue for all clubs all over).
The old clicky men/women ruin clubs because they ruin the fun by complaining about everything and everyone and are generally just cold to new members and god help any new member who accidently picks sides in a long running feud.
But also, as much as I can appreciate the wisdom of the grey beards in the club shack. We MUST promote ham radio as a STEAM subject to be pursued by high schoolers and university. The new RC Aero clubs that allow FPV racing drones were a lot more fun to be in because of the younger generation. The older RC Aero clubs had the same old issues as ham clubs who were cold and often hostile to newer technology (I remember 2.4Ghz not being accepted for a long time when it started).
We must support any changes to radio licencing that not only brings down cost, but makes it more accessible. I'm starting out and I'm already being recommended radios that cost over NineHUndred Dollary Doos. Broke Teenaged me has no hope in hell affording that, and if he did, he'd spend it on a gaming PC instead. Adult me is re-thinking the whole hobby seeing fortnights wages evaporate on something that's essentially a weekend science experiment.
Unfortunately, despite just starting, I feel the same frustration. I feel that the grumpy old hams are just holding everyone back.
You need to grow up and stop the video effects 12 year old girls use on TikTok. They make you look like a fool and lid. The ceo of the ARRL makes $6.5 million per year. Ho w is that supporting ham radio????
I've been involved in Ham Radio close on fifty years, it's always had the detractors, complainers and abusers. But it is people like you Hayden that hold it all together for all of us, thank you.
Thanks Ron that is really kind!
Always good times and bad times... Sometimes you need to know when ou change channels
If 10% of HAM's made the effort you did Hayden the HAMVerse would be awesome. Just my 2 cents... Keep it up !
One thing I found really discouraging in the 90’s coming up as a ham was the grumpiness of older hams and the tendency to clique up on repeaters. I would dare to key up on a repeater, say my call and either no one would respond or I’d get yelled at for doing something wrong or saying something noobish. Also, the clubs in NYC were really weird. I ended up doing most everything on my own to learn the hobby.
Found same where i am at on the 2m repeater. Ham radio is really above my budget.
Spot on sir! I am a new ham (1Year general class) and I have experienced this many times myself.
It's sad to see how negative people are. I try be nice and help people . Licensed since 67 . 73 N4VG
@@nicoradv3923I wouldn't care whether people are licensed or not, as long as they didn't make a nuisance of themselves. I switch to CB bands at times
That's everywhere...
Just miserable Democrats wrecking everything for everyone..
The problem with the hobby is that some treat it like an exclusive club, member only, pay your dues until we think you are ready. No, I’m not talking about the testing, I’m talking about the negative attitude to newbees. There are certain senior members in clubs that aren’t there to help in many cases, they are there to hinder. They take a position that it’s their club and anyone with new ideas must sit back and wait.
The older generation does this in every aspect of life. Ham radio, corporate America, congress. They just want to gate keep and hold on their power or perceived power.
As you say, I've never understood why people get so emotional about a hobby... just a hobby... It's why I don't really go in for clubs anymore. I would like to start a QRP and homebrewers meetup similar to what Peter Parker VK3YE does in Melbourne, up here in Brissie, where you just bring along whatever hairbrained contraption you've been working on and demo it, kick back and shoot the breeze, no rules, no "club", 100% informal, no bs. Valve, QRP, microwave, computer, antenna, or whatever...
Your correct. I'm a member of ARRL here in the USA, if for no other reason than to support the organization. Let us all smile and carry on. It's worth it.
Thanks Greg, wise advice!
I've been a Ham since 1959 when I was 12 and got my General license. I got the bug at a time when we had the Cold War, radio and TV were still relatively new and the idea of communicating to other people around the world...for free that would cost a fortune if you had to call someone on the phone, was amazing. I learned about electronics, science and math via Amateur radio. I didn't need a 50,000watt AM radio station...all I needed was a little ingenuity, and a desire to learn how things worked, a home made backyard antenna, and a few watts and I was on the air. I learned Morse code and didn't mind it at all...I got good at it too. The ARRL ran contests all the time.
Here it is 60 years later and I still have the bug. Granted there were periods of inactivity due to travel , jobs, the advent of computers and the internet but it only gave me a new way to communicate. I still love Morse as another mode of skill in Amateur Radio. In today's world, it seems that the younger generation hasn't been inspired enough by the older generation to offer it as a hobby, to play around with antennas in the backyard, to offer it as a way have fun while learning about electronics and making new friends all the while inspiring creativity that lasts a lifetime.
Thanks Rich. I got my ticket in 1968. I got drafted, and as a novice it expired. But I got back to it in the early 80s. I got my novice, general, and extra in less thren a year. Im almost all CW (a few ssb and fm qsos, but im not all that proud of it hi hi ) You said what I wanted to say only didn't, because i was going to be a bit harsher about it. Again thanks Rich.
Couldn't have said it better. Ham since 1981 with a Novice ticket (now an Extra) which was all morse code back then. I also go in and out of the hobby but am ALWAYS compelled to come back to it and build an antenna and get on the air. Like an old friend, HAM radio is always waiting for me and welcoming me back. Sure, there are distorted personalities out there, but they are everywhere. I'm a private pilot, too, and general aviation is full of grumpy old men. You learn who to engage and whom to ignore pretty quickly.
I joined MARS Midland Amateur Radio Society last month. We need more young people and more women to join. I've asked my son's school to get involved and set up a club. Our members would volunteer to teach for free.
My hat goes off to all the volunteers who fill roles in these organisation's. It almost seems like, here in Australia at least, the purpose of social media is to stir up shit and complain about everything just for the sake of having something to winge about. I'm sick of the in-fighting too. Keep up the good work Hayden. I appreciate people like yourself doing all you can to promote what is good about our hobby.
Tim VK5AV.
Some social media does this on purpose as it keeps eyes on their product. I only use YT all the others are banned from my devices.
Thanks Tim
How active are the 2m and 70cm bands in Australia?
My experience here in America with ham radio has been good as far as the hobby itself goes. I'm not thrilled with some of the changes, but times change and we must change with them. My only gripe is some of the rude and arrogant operators on the bands. I am noticing more and more rude people on the bands for some reason. I don't know if it's just a reflection of society or some hams just like to talk to their cronies and act rudely towards strangers. I've met plenty of nice people on the air, and just ignore the angry rude ones. I didn't invest thousands of dollars into the hobby to deal with rude clowns, I love to communicate with decent like minded people who don't have a chip on their shoulder.
Agreed! There are a LOT of clowns on the bands today sadly. But I've also found a lot of nice, friendly, folk for every one idiot I meet when on air!
I live in the US and have been a Ham for 4 years now. Two years ago a local club was asking for Net Controllers for thier nightly 2 Meter Emergency Net. it is mostly a rag chew net with a spotlight on a ARES (American Emergency Relay Service) topic one night per week. The other six nights are just fun! I signed on as a Net Controller and in the past two years I have made many friends, learned hundreds of call signs and look forward to the Friday night rag chew nets that I call. Keep it fun is my motto!
Good of you to bring this up Hayden. I have been discouraged by a number of idiot sad hams. The bigger issue for me is that others turn a blind eye just because that person has lots of knowledge and experience but has a bi-polar approach to helping new hams and or lacks social skills or simply has a big ego and think they can bully everyone else because they are more experienced. This is why I have not been doing much lately in radio, I'm only 55 but feel that im too old to deal with crappy people. I thought that ended at high school, not mature adults doing a hobby they love.
You are right, it's mentally draining and personally, I'm looking for a great hobby and a great community but I have seen enough (over not even a year) to pull the plug on it before i commit more time and money into it.
It's definately the hams themselves killing radio, not FT8 or any other digital mode etc. It's the grumpy OM's who seek power, fame or are just a$$holes but are actually causing an implosion from the inside out. Very sad to see. 🙁
There are so many great people, locally and online who are very inspiring and helpful but I'm sure there are many others like me who think the same as you and think, is it really worth it?.... food for thought. Take care Hayden, you are one of the inspirational leaders in the Community, please keep going and help others learn from you as to how to be a real Elmer for Amateur Radio, especially for us in VK. 🍻👌📻🇦🇺.
You hit the nail on the head. 100%.
Don you can still do radio, just because there are some people like you pointed out, don't let those people dictate your choices in life.
I spent too many years living the way people thought I should rather than living my life.
It is in any hobby. Hunting, fishing, bicycling, all hobbies. You just ignore them. I heard a good analogy yesterday. there are two knobs on a device. A tune knob and an on/off knob. You can tune away from the negative ones or turn the radio off and get a cup of coffee and return when the person figures out nobody is listening to them.
Good advice. The twist is "fun" amateur radio is a group activity, so dealing with the aggressive trolls is needed. I've seen in our region a few aggressive pigheaded hams damage several clubs and drive off middle age to younger technologists. Who wants to be around someone abusive? Yet we need the clubs to support the hobby. Fortunately we've got one club in my area that strives to be positive and constructive. I'm burned out for now and have paused many of my volunteer positions. I'll recover, but not all the teams impacted by the trolls will. Thanks to everyone putting in effort to grow the hobby. 🙂 - wx9vor
Calling people “Sad Hams” only make everything worse. Stop making fun of people. It’s because people listen to individuals like Randy that this shit continues. Treat people with respect and guess what, you will get it back. Have you ever thought maybe you are the dick?
I got a general license 20 years ago in preparation for a circumnavigation. During that trip, the HAM community was unbelievably supportive and helpful, particularly the Pacific Seafarer's Net. The skills I acquired became essential when lightning took out our antenna tuner and I had to make up two wires for two frequencies, which we hoisted on a halyard.
I no longer have a radio but no complaint about any part of the amateur associations will pass my lips. I'll forever be grateful. Spewing complaints and negativity has become the go-to tone for much of the human race.
Long time ARRL member, contribute to
Spectrum Defense fund, and do what I can to help. 73 and thanks for your video. WW5MB
Completely agree with you. These attitudes have been around forever. I dealt with it when I got my license in 1987 and some older hams didn't like a Tech had voice privileges on 10m. The haters are just more amplified now thanks to the Internet. But I've found a good solution for me: 1.) pretty much ignore social media and ham forums, 2.) Stay far away from 75m SSB, 3.) Don't "feed the trolls", and 4.) Explore and learn new modes.
I've always enjoyed chasing DX, but now am chasing new prefixes, working POTA stations, enjoying FT8 and RTTY, learning about D-Star, DMR, and Fusion, casual contesting, getting back into CW, and just whatever else I feel like doing. Stay positive.
Yep. On point. Not just ham radio either. Complaining and blaming never actually helps anything. Neither does feeling helpful. Actually helping helps. You along with several UA-camrs have really helped me in the hobby so big thanks here.
Maybe I am fortunate, the whole ham radio experience has been positive for me overall. During lockdown rather than being a total hermit another ham and I in our village were working on projects in his workshop and having a laugh doing it. A few ham friends do give me stick for playing with FT8 and rarely using voice, but it is what I want to do lately. Amateur radio is a bit of a fairground of fun, there is so much to do. If you like an aspect of it stay with it until you decide you want to try something new. There are quite a number of hams in this tiny rural village, people see that we have fun with our wierd hobby and they want to know more.
😄 How about introducing a licence for Internet users before they are allowed to transmit on the Internet?
I've been saying that for years. You should have to get an "upload license" issued by the gov't with a station identified so you can be found should you commit defamation or some other violation of the law. The gov't would make a fortune and it would clean up social media.
you and Callum and a few other amateur radio guys have made pull the trigger on getting my foundation/tech licence exam on the 23rd of this month keep up the good work
Good luck mate! You'll ace it!
Good luck to you! I hope you're on the air soon.
Good Luck. Hope to hear you on the air
I'm the assistant director for a local motorcycle riding club. The volunteer thing holds true with us too. ALL of your points. There are maybe 10 of us that do everything, for the 140 some odd members. And every time we ask for volunteers-its the same people who help, and the same that bitch about things. Between the "I think there are problems" but refuse to be part of the solution, and the "we used to do it this way" crowd, who also dont help-it gets tough. I think most vol orgs deal with the 5% that make it happen, and the 95% that get to benefit from it, and bitch about it. Odd thing is-none of those that complain, ever run for an officer position, nor come up with any solutions.
Thanks for what you do Hayden. Your videos (among a few others) are what attracted me to ham radio. I work in telecom and knowing how fragile the internet really is, things like packet, aprs, eme, winlink, etc are very interesting to me. I'm new new (less than a year) and have been discouraged a bit by the seeming lack of activity from local clubs has been discouraging ( could be they are active and just don't update websites, but who knows). It was a bit discouraging my first few times out trying to make contacts and getting nothing, but watching people like you and the coffee and ham radio guys kept me encouraged and as long as every time I was out I had a different result, it feels like progress. I can now regularly make contacts on FT8, and when someone doesnt hear me or I have a contact fail, I can look and say "Oh this guy moved onto the same band and blew my signal out" (I'm qrp on a ft-818) or I see people struggling to make a DX and notice they didnt swap to even or odd to be on the opposite of the person they are trying to contact. I have lots to learn, but feel like I have found a word wide community of people on youtube who are more interested in advancing the hobby beyond their own little circles that keep me encouraged. Thanks again.
It’s not just ham radio. Almost any activity I have tried you have the same naysayers and grumps. I stay in the hobby trying to make contacts with pleasant people like you whenever I can. Keep up the great work and let it roll off your back.
Well said buddy. I'm a GB2RS volunteer newsreader and district rep for the RSGB plus another couple of areas and I find the biggest whingers are the non-members. We are fighting a very hard battle just now to keep the hobby alive. The hobby must evolve and this does mean change, without change things die. We must continue to evolve and keep up to speed with new ideas and tech. Sure we can find a mode or method that we really like and get stuck with it. This is an experimental hobby and a development hobby. I don't like ft8 or digital modes but I do see their place in the world, I have tried them and get no excitement. At least I have tried them.
As you say people grumble about things but NEVER step up to help make changes. Put up and shut up if you're not ready to step up!
Hey Hayden, hang in there, from Graeme Wilson VK5RE ex VK7RE. It is a tremendous hobby to be in. Having said that, I haven't been active for years. I started in ham radio in 1979, got my trade as a radio tech, but in 1981 I discovered micro processors, which totally took my focus from amateur radio, (and 62 percent of my entire life.) As you may remember, I always went to the club meetings to keep up with people, despite not being active. I still have a bucket list of four things I want to achieve in AR, but don't put any priority on even starting. The one thing I missed the bus on was the call signs issue where we can now use our call sign interstate without changing it or even signing portable. I wasn't paying attention when that happened, because I should have jumped in and quoted numbers. In theory, we could have 17,576 combinations of three letter call signs. Take out a few, drop anything starting with Q, R and possibly W, but there would still be more callsigns for all of Australia than there are amateurs. I believe there are 11,000 approx. So keep the individual two letter calls with the state you live in because there aren't enough to go around, but for foundation or standard license, have a unique three letter call and if someone moves interstate, then tell the department, and change the number, but keep the suffix. As to getting new members, we have ~11,000 amateurs in a population of ~ 26 million, about 0.04 % of the population, or 1 in ~ 2500. To get more members, "we," that means somebody else not me, have to promote the hobby. What forms of free advertising can we do? I know there have been membership drives in the past, but what is happening at the moment? This could go on for ever. TBC
Have you considered that the negativity, the anger and the obstructionism is nothing to do with amateur radio. Nothing at all.
It's society.
Look at *all* of society; people are very full of hate and anger.
For the past 30 years or so I have been actively involved in the Gliding community in Australia and I can relate to the issues you have raised. It seems that it is always 10% of the people doing 90% of the work in volunteer organisations, and the highly vocal detractors are rarely the ones doing the work! I’ve now come back to amateur radio after having a keen interest during my teen years (over 50 years ago!) and having just passed my standard exam I am keenly looking forward to getting involved in the hobby. Don’t despair and please keep up the excellent work you do to promote the hobby and educate your fellow hams.
Yeah, I know a bunch of good folks in Ham. I joined a local club once but was never very active with them. I decided to become more involved and went to my first club meeting. About 15 minutes into it, the members were screaming and cussing at each other and making stupid drama accusations and calling each other every foul name you can imagine. I walked out and never went back. I'm starting my own club, and it will be a group of outdoorsman/survivalists/hunters/fishermen who also enjoy Ham Radio. Our Field Days will be spent doing hasty voice and digital comms in the bush. great video. Thanks for it. I'll subscribe to your channel. 73, y'all.
Well done. You read the room ! Congratulations on starting your own club Big effort. Life is short and you dont waste it on oxygen thieves. I personally understand the work and commitment it takes to achieve this. Have fun with the guys in your new club
Excellent video and well said, I’ve been a ham for over forty years and there have always been people who moan, but there are also positive people like yourself thanks for your videos
Thanks Bill, appreciate that kind comment
In my own experience. The problem with HAM is the idea that if you if you have 50yrs, or got your Xtra, or you are a volunteer. Everything or anything other people do it’s wrong or “far from right”. Let’s be honest it’s not the most welcoming community for people getting in the hobby.
I don’t think the Hobby will ever die. But it’s not due to operators but because of the technical attraction that is inherent in the hobby.
Lesson: Be nice! The new guy that just picked up a Baofeng doesn’t need to crush in a public forum about your lack of knowledge. Trust me “He Knows!!!”
Nail on the head. Tons of new, young operators interested in HAM. The "old guys" or "sad HAMs" are basically turning the next generation off.
Then there's guys like you, thank you for the video. I'll be taking my test soon.
I don't know about the other groups, but as a US ham, I think the ARRL does a good job. Things could be better, but I think they've done a good job representing hams.
People like you, along with more great ham channels than I care to list here, bring an excitement and positivity that does a great job offsetting the negativity you're talking about.
The hobby greatly benefits from you and those other excellent channels. Keep up the great work, and don't let the whinging get you down!
I'm just a tech license holder and only have vhf/uhf capabilities. I have had only one repeater where I have met my fair share of rude people while the rest of the repeaters I have made some great friends. Some folks I talk to during the day or night are surprisingly truck drivers, utility workers, and locals a few miles away that come by and visit me once in a while. Yes, The hobby has some newer things to try out and maybe some folks may not care for it But the more options ham radio offers the more chances of getting more new hams in to the hobby and that's a good thing. KO4HPC 73 And Happy Holidays To All.
Well said. I got into this hobby in the early 90's and got so much flak for not knowing Morse code, not being able to buy a $1200.00 radio and clubs that set the same feeling, that I got disinterested. It fell to the waste side. My old mobile and handheld gathered dust. Fast forward... I'm older now and could care less about those types of people. I lost a lot of cool radio years letting those types of people bother me. I've learned IT'S A HOBBY, play as you like. If you get on the radio and have naysayers, or someone so crotchety that they can't stand the "new", just remember it's your hobby too, do what you like. Statistics point to more licensed hams than ever before, due to these "new" digital modes and ideas that come up from the experimentation that newer (and older) hams do. UA-cam is the reason I got back into the hobby and actually upgraded my license. I still take a break from radio, but that's every hobby. UA-camrs are on the front line of the commenters, so you get the most out of us all. Take care, Have fun.
Yep I get the same with the equipment side of things.
Same at the target rifle club, I'm treated different because I can't afford 7k for a top of the line rifle.
Some people can't understand why I don't want to be at the top, it's because I'm still learning.
I fully agree with your assessment. I've been a ham since 1969 and I always hear those who refuse to adapt and accept change. From those who say that "no-coders" are "not hams", to those who say that remote operation is not "real ham radio" to those who refuse to accept faster data rates, to . The number one obstacle to progress is us ... hams are the #1 cause. I operate via my remote HF station (2680 miles away), I use all types of data modes including FT8 and JS8call, I promote abandoning the archaic data rate limit, and I still cruise at ~20-25 wpm in CW (which is just a fun mode for me). I know many new hams who REFUSE to upgrade to General or Extra simply because they prefer experimenting with V/UHF, very high data rates, etc. They are NOT interested in "noisy HF". However, these hams are greatly contributing to our hobby and others by experimenting with new and more capable modes, setting up MESH networks for emergency use, etc. Then I hear OFs complain that these people who stay with their TECH licenses are "killing the hobby" ... (sigh). As for the Extra Class license test, it is also getting "old". I haven't played with a "tube" radio in decades. All my amps and radios are solid-state, and most are unrepairable (FPGA, BGAs, SDR, etc.), yet one still needs to understand all about "tubes". The same goes for the formulas that are required. In today's world, "knowing the formula" is not as important as "knowing how to find it". A quick search on my computer or online and I can find all of the formulas I need. So why force a candidate to remember all of these formulas? Again, it's simply because we refuse to adapt to the changes around. Many FEAR change so they want to isolate themselves around a cocoon of stuff they already know. OK ... I can share a lot more but I made my point. Thanks for the video and for letting me share my views :-)
A friend and I got involved with ham mostly because of fpv drone stuff. We found the clubs amazing. The fact that three guys over sixty came out to put us through the exam at night left us amazed. Thanks for your comments. I love the ham radio community in the US and hope we dont lose great members like those guys and you around the world to petty weak people.
I'm not a Ham operator. I am on CB and still use it. Two way radio as a hobby and tool should be cooperative and fun. I have heard Ham and CB users bash each other and simply act like a bunch of jerks. Each has it's pro and cons. It all depends on how it is used. Both a r fun and awesome hobbies. I promote both CB and Amateur radio to all who show interest and hope the user base grows.
The subject of this video is exactly why I quite my local radio club 6-7 years ago now and haven't looked back. From what I hear from my one ham friend that is still in the club, it is 10-fold worse now than I remember it when I was there. Such a shame. Admittedly I have been off the air for just about as long. However I have not let my license lapse and I never will. I'm just now finding my way back to the hobby after some years off. Just found your channel and looking forward to exploring your videos. Keep your chin up. There's plenty of us out there that feel the exact same way but we're not giving up radio. Though I just showed up here, I will say anyway I appreciate your work and everything you're doing for radio! Keep it up man!
Unless people who complan about amateur radio oagnizations not doing this or doing that wrong append their complaints wirh "How can I help you to correct this?" they're just "bellyaching" as we say n the USA and can (and should) be ignoed. There are always people who grumble. Talk is cheap, action and effort are dearer.
I came across huge divisions within amateur radio when I started getting into internet connected radio systems/protocols (APRS, D-Star, IRLP). As soon as it doesn't involve a "pure" RF only communication link then it's "not amateur radio!".
There are operators who find their niche within the hobby and then proceed to decry all others. There are so many different facets within this amazing hobby but there aren't enough of us to start forming factions that try to bring down others that are simply enjoying the part of the hobby that scratches their itch.
Thanks Michael! Appreciate the comment. FWIW one of the first few ham channels I watched (when I was building repeaters) was yours. Your D-Star repeater video with the UHF mobile duplexer was one of the first. Thanks!
My dad was a ham and now at the age of 65 I got my Tech license (and took his old call sign, K2GGE).
I was looking forward to all the wonderful advances must have taken place since he was operating 6m mobile out of our 1964 station wagon. And there have been advances. But I'm discovering that there are multiple, incompatible solutions to the same problem, e.g. Fusion, DMR, DStar, etc. The promise of these advances won't be realized until the chaos is resolved.
So many different modes and methods, but there are people who are trying their best to bring them all together. Have a look at the FreeSTAR network. They have been bringing HAMs together around the World for a couple of years now with a wide range of systems being inter-linked, so it is quite easy to chat to friends across different modes using whatever You already have. Diversity is a good thing but sometimes it can also be good to bring them all back together :-) FreeSTAR network bring together people using DMR, DMR+, TGIF, D-Star, Wires-X, YSF Fusion, P25, M17, SIP, AllStar, Echolink, Peanut, IRN, and a growing network of repeaters, gateways and personal hotspots around the World. Now that's what I call Ham Spirit, giving everyone the Freedom to Connect!
@@mm7wabanamateurradiowomble30 Correct ! Stop whinging and get on with it, after 44 years a ham, worked commercially in ham radio, greatest hobby in the world. The pleasure you receive is = to the effort you put in. Have fun
@@mm7wabanamateurradiowomble30 Also Great positive attitude !!!!
I just pick a single mode I'm interested in most and focus ONLY on that mode. If I didn't filter out all the options in HAM radio I would NEVER learn anything. Like the lion who goes after all the zebras and therefore never catches one. But focus on one relentlessly and you get dinner.
Lots of reasons this hobby is in crisis. I think you have said it well. Personally its the ease of communicating via other means that keeps me from firing up my radios these days.
Hayden well said mate. Change is difficult and always is resisted. One huge positive has been the small band of great informative and educational YT channels like yours. We can all name these "influencers" and some great online content from various clubs etc. It is a pursuit undertaken in leisure time - I thus refuse to engage in negativity from others when I am enjoying my leisure. The spirit of self-education, improvement and experimentation continues in ham radio (and other forms of RF comms). I read the letters page in Radcom and every month it is full of "I was licenced in 1956 and still make my own ladder line. It's the only way to do things and you all should be ashamed" stuff. There should be a rule that if you have nothing positive to say or write then don't bother - we are not interested in your dripping negative opinion. By all means enjoy the radio but allow others to do so in a different way. Just ignore these types. You do a great job, and in daily posts on a certain Discord channel I moderate there are numerous hams helping and advising and having fun with RF science. All is not lost. We even have a FT8 forum!!! 👀👍
Thanks Tom. It's refreshing to see the ham spirit and community still alive and supportive!
Thanks Hayden for the excellent work you do on this channel.
As in most volunteer organisations, too few people do too much, and there are way too many armchair critics unwilling to lift a finger themselves. It's not a problem specific to Amateur Radio. The only advice I can offer is to decide how much effort you're willing to expend to help others, and don't exceed that, and thus (hopefully) avoid burnout.
I've volunteered in various roles in the WIA, ARNSW (been on the VK2WI broadcast team for 30 years), WICEN, my local radio club, etc. I'm always having to say no to requests to do more. As it is, I have very little time to play radio just for the fun of it.
As for the critics...back in Ireland we have a phrase that covers them: "f*** the begrudgers". 🙂
73 Richard VK2SKY
Oops - commented from some other account. This is my normal one. Sentiments otherwise unchanged HI. 🙂 73 Richard VK2SKY
Richard, It is great to see the likes of you and many more like Hayden do what you do for so long without looking for rewards and we Sandra and I listen to hear The Voice doing the NSW WIA broadcasts and we watch Hayden's items on here with admiration for what he gives of his time as do so many in Local Clubs. We were involved in Clubs both here and in EI and the Willing Horse will always get the heavy Load to carry and I admire the work done in our Local Westlakes Amateur Radio Club by those Dedicated Comittee and dedicated others that don't want a badge but do the work! Unfortunately there will always be as you put it the Begrudgers who bitch but never put their money where their mouth is but others will sit back for different reasons be it personal or perceived!. Stay Safe and Enjoy your Radio. 73 de VK2SE and VK2XYL
@@sandralynch7035 Thanks Richard (and hello to Sandra!); such has it always been, such will it ever be.
I think if more people were willing to do "just one thing", and the willing horses could do fewer, we'd all be better off.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."
Anyway, operating VK2WI is an enjoyable day out, and as long as I'm able to (and people don't object to listening to me) I'll probably continue at it. Beats vegetating! HI
73 Richard "The Voice™" VK2SKY 😉
Yes Hayden, you do make a difference, you make an enormously positive difference and I thank you. What I don't understand is if people are smart enough to get an amateur radio license, build or operate a transceiver, build an antenna, operate a radio station and communicate around the world, why some of those same people can't also be inclusive, open to diversity and be respectful at all times. In amateur radio as in life. Yeah, i don't get it! Thank you Hayden, I appreciate you and all the volunteers. 73, VK7IAN
Thanks Ian!
You and a couple of the other folks here on YT are the reason I ended up getting my licence over here in ZL.
Personally, having been on the end of some "digital mode dislike" there is definitely a group of people who seem hell bent on driving the hobby into the ground because it doesn't fit "their" way of doing things. There's enough space for us all, if they don't like it they can just not do it. Pretty simple really.
You - and others - are 100% making a difference. The content here (and others) has helped me get going and keep going with it.
Thanks Alex, that means a lot
Hayden, first time watcher here and now a subscriber.
I can tell you from being a volunteer, committee member and state president in more than one volunteer organisation, outside of HAM, the biggest problem is essentially how you described it. Members and participants whinge and bitch about it but don't get involved in assisting . This goes back to as long as I have been doing this, the early nineties.
One thing I will state as someone that has a long time interest in Amateur, having been interested in CB for ever, is that I cant get any commitment to test or get instruction to get my Amateur license. And this goes back at least four years.
I cant attend weekend courses as I am shift-worker, days and nights, that works four weekends out of five. Yet, I can get through a lot of the content as I am a Industrially trained Electrical Fitter by trade. I am concurrently reading the US Army Manual on Propagation, Transmission and Antennas, the USMC Antenna Manual and Ron Bertrand's Advanced Book (I apologise, cant recall the title) and have purchased, and reading, the ARRL 2022 Handbooks. Slow going but informative.
And then the challenge will be to find someone able to provide time to put me through the examination.
Surely in this day and age of technology it shouldn't be this difficult? How many prospective licensees does this turn away? One good thing that the US has is that the Advanced or Experimental Amateur Lic also qualifies you as a Radio Communication Technician. Hmm, would be a good thing to do in Australia.
Surely someone like WIA can set up a website that can test, for free, what a candidate does know, ie gap analysis, RPL this, then provide course content, paid of course,(no pun intended) to instruct on what is required?
Maybe I am missing something but my searches haven't turned much of this up. Indeed they appear to send me round in a circle from one organisation to another and back.
If everyone does 1% its far more than a few doing 10%.
I think your 100% correct sir. As someone who did some CB back in the day and recently started getting into GMRS and now I'm about a week from taking my Extra Ham license, I have had a rough time with all of this.
I have been a Foundation holder for nearly 5 years and thoroughly enjoy what I do, QRP/P. I have contributed to the commerce side of the hobby by buying radios, far too many so my XYL says, build my own antenna's, joined the local club and get out into the field as often as I can for some exercise and play radio. I'm not really interested in how the magic works in the little black box, as long as it works and I use it safely, but that is frowned upon, this is a progressive hobby and your are pressured to advance. I appreciate all that the RSGB and our club committees do, but all of us should not be judged by the passion and drive of others. Great vlog and sorry to be one of the moaners 73
Being a new Ham. It's nice to have clubs and organizations to join that help with learning and also sharing the Hobby. Especially since most are run by volunteers who are sharing their time and experience willingly. Folks who complain about it might need a different hobby, however I would expect they would complain about that hobby as well. Great Video. Thanks for the info
I would like to offer a viewpoint as a retired single male living in rural USA. It might be a different perspective from your points because it comes from a complete novice, not one with 40 or 50 years in the hobby or with a long family history.
I have considered whether to make the financial and time investment in amateur radio as something to do in retirement to keep my mind active. I have no family history of amateurs, no background in electronics (other than rudimentary studies long ago), and no abiding reason to 'join.' I do not understand many of the terms used, the acronyms (and I love acronyms, having retired from a 30-year career with a US federal agency that just loves the darned things...but they were *always* defined), or the colloquial terms common to the hobby. My living situation is different from many of the UA-cam content creators, including you, in that, like many folks in large cities here in the USA and in Europe, I live in a very small apartment with no backyard, no balcony, no attic, no extra rooms, and very darned little space. So I have no place for the kinds of antennas or equipment that I see portrayed. I really have no interest in building a radio and wouldn't have the room if I did. I live on a fixed income and cannot afford a US$1,700 Icom transceiver plus all the accessories needed to make it work. There is really only one function that amateur radio can accomplish that nothing else can, emergency communications, but the chances of being called on to help there are slim. I live in a very rural country with one repeater that is not connected to the statewide repeater system; I have a small handheld radio and have only heard one human voice, a call sign, on the repeater once since I started listening to it six months ago. According to our FCC database, there are only 12 licenced amateur radios in this county; there is no way to determine how many are active or even alive. There are no clubs within a 2-hour drive from me.
In short, the main question I must answer is, "After getting a licence, what then?"
In an attempt to answer my own question, I ask questions of others, questions about acronyms or terms used so I can understand the 'behind-the-scenes' wisdom; I am often told to "go find the answer yourself, then come back" or "there are books you can read to find the answers." One can understand that to a complete novice, these answers can sound arrogant and very much like gatekeeping: You are not yet good enough to bother me, so go away until you are. Yet these same writers vocalize a desire to increase membership and activity in this hobby. That seems conflicting to me.
My problem with this hobby, which makes answering my "What then?" question much more difficult, is that it does not seem like a very welcoming community. In this country, it is one that seems to be populated by old white males; diversity is not its strong suit.
My guess is many others have similar experiences.
The problem is there are trolls everywhere and they can get on your nerves.
Keep on with your videos, we need the interaction
I live in Idaho and am on our Search and Rescue team. Currently, I am the Training Officer. In February, I have set up radio training with a Ham radio guy who is on an engineering level. I hope he can spark more interest in Radio than I can since he is not part of SAR. He will keep the training very basic, but maybe someone will get interested in getting their license. SAR is dependent on radio comms. And we are in an area where most searches are in remote mountainous terrain. Hopefully , after this class the members who are not Hams will see the value of a little education and get licensed. KI7SAR
An excellent and pragmatic assessment, Hayden. We can all do something to make it better. Many hands make light work. Keep up the great work. You are making a positive difference!
Thanks mate!
My full time job that pays my bills can be applied to this. We have an older generation that's "its always been done like this" and now I help teach and find the "new norm" for the younger generations coming into the work place with the "I want it now" attitude. Ham radio needs to understand there is a happy medium. The days of sourcing parts and DIY are pretty much gone to the "i want it now" world of Amazon, eBay and 1000's of other online resources. I've learned more from you tube than any one person in the hobby over the last 5 years. Here in the states, we need to grow the hobby by taking these points and allowing easier access to the knowledge tests for licensing. I'm a tech, I want my gen... my friend who is 20 years younger brings up the main point "why do I need to know this?" He plans on buying a complete radio, mobile antenna and paying the shop to install it all. All he wants to do is turn it on, key up make a contact, then be done. However myself and many others are upset cause "that's not how we do it!" -- so sad hams we become. But a why not? Why can't we push the education of knowledge to more safety and band usage vs math and diy? This would open up more people to get into the hobby and in turn, grow it to the next level of what this hobby could become.
The WIA has come a long way in making it's presence felt in the community of Amateur radio in the last 12 months or so in particular. Taking a stand and representing a group of radio users is certainly a task that cannot be dealt with litely.
Great to have you on board, giving us the insight and well a younger view into the hobby.
Personally, its been a long time coming for where we are today and how the hobby had progressed... Its a slow but welcome change with regards to engagement with new users, potential users and yes we need to do more. How, where, when? Of course that comes down to out volunteering and how we sell ourselves to the general public.
Emotions set aside, i think alot of amateurs are terrified of losing their rights to transmit on the airwaves but dont recognise there is something indeed being done... Its not going to happen overnight and we need to embrace the challenge and change that comes with it.
Im hoping i can have a similar chat with my local club when i finally join it soon enough.
It is those of us willing to make the time, like you and many others working to make this the fantastic hobby it is even better. I was asked once 'what makes ham radio so good? You can't play music and play games with it' my reply was finding that one weak signal from New Zealand and having a three minute QSO, then looking at the person that asked the question, and said 'do that with your phone.' That person took their exam one month later. I know the infighting is what many people dislike about the hobby, but every family has its' complainers. Peace
You are spot on, we need to support these organizations and help promote amateur radio, and yes ignore the the keyboard Rambo’s
Good day, I am from South Africa and I am surprised by the similarities in what you talked about. I had been been off the air for about 11 years doing other hobbies like RC and astronomy, one of our problems here is our government that's falling apart making it very difficult to solve licensing issues, I had read some horrible stories about how inefficient our department are and this was one of the reasons that I took so long to reapply for my licence.....but when I finally started the process it took me less than a week to get a new licence and call sign hanging on my wall! They have moved everything online and the system works very well. Our South African Radio League helped me through the process and I joined them and paid my subs before my licence, because if you can't give them your time at least give them your money....there is nobody else to help protect your hobby. I like the fact that you, like me have an operator desk and a work bench side by side because I believe the image of a radio ham should not be just someone with a microphone but also someone with a soldering iron or wearing a safety harness on a mast.
73's ZS4ZS
Use the block function on Facebook, social media is more enjoyable when you weed out the idiots. Also some of the ridiculous comments recently haven't been from licensed hams. PS keep producing great content 😎
Thanks again for watching! The block button is much needed at times!
I'm from the U. S. and a new amateur radio operator. Been involved in the hobby since 2018. I'm also closer to 70 than to 65 nowadays. Two points I would like to make. My view is that it is a hobby that I see benefits boiling up out of. Second, I see good solid people in the hobby that aren't going to give up on it and who are struggling to figure out to make their contributions seen, felt and heard in the larger community around them. I spoke with a good man who participated with me at a presentation to a group of maybe 50 young folks. We put about 4 hours putting our presentation together, an hour giving the presentation and probably another 3 to 4 hours of follow up. Total for the club maybe 12 to 15 man hours invested on 50 people. We got representative feedback from from the audience 60 days later and that was positive. The problem was that the response was that our presentation was great and interesting but, the audience, at that time was committed to the wide variety of programs they had already defined for that year. I would add that, they were also well on their way to determining and committing to their identified projects for the coming year.
What I heard from my friend was that there was not enough return on investment for us to continue the effort.
I can only disagree. It is time now to re-engage. Amateur radio is about modern electronics. Cell phone at 0.2 watts of power, handheld transceivers at 2 to 10 watts or, so. Our mobile rigs at 5 to 50 watts of power more or less and our home stations and several 100 watts and maybe 10 or 12 times that. Amateur radio is also about alternative communications.
I enjoy being a part of the Amateur Radio Service - worldwide.
Very interesting and thought provoking video. I hate to say it, but what you were talking about is the reason why I left the HRCC discord. I just got tired of hearing all the drama about the Facebook group or those 'Old Grumpy Farts' that are 'killing' Ham Radio. Oh yeah, that the horrible job the ARRL is doing, forgot about that one as well. It was really off putting an thankfully I had some other hobbies that kind of let me get away from that. I ain't leaving, just need to reevaluate the groups I join and be more involved in the local scene. I am going to go for my General's here in December, so hopefully get a DX from you one day. Either way, great video and thanks for pointing out the nude emperor in the room.
Ham radio is holding up better than a lot of hobbies and clubs. Many things have dropped off a lot and the average age of most hobbies is increasing meaning they will die off one day.
Many older hams get out because of many reasons. Downsizing home with no land, HOA madness, tired of POTA and similar stuff and infighting.
New people, many of which are the instant gratification group quickly grow tired of the hamster wheel type practices of some of the modern ham fads.
Passed my General 3 years ago. Out of all contacts I would say less than 5% are a conversation of more than 5 sentences. Most are the contest or pota type contacts. Nobody wants to talk. They would rather keep score.
Thanks for sharing. The ones that have the most to say about an issue are usually the ones that do the least to fix the issues. In my 77 years, I have served on a number of volunteer boards. Volunteer groups all have the same issues, membership and then inspiring a member to become more active and take a position on a committee or the board. If the vote turns out in my favor, I will be the next president of our local ham club. The benefit package is awesome, I can’t wait. Hi hi. Kidding aside,we all should be trying to serve our clubs or organizations and not just by being a member, but by becoming active and making them stronger. Thank you again. Ken KA6SUB
I've been dragging my feet, but this video precipitate action: I just gave ARRL money for a membership in hopes that it at least in part helps to keep amateur radio alive... Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I just saw your video and I agree with you. There are a lot of complainers on social media about a lot of subjects. I am a ham radio operator and I live in an area with tornados and hurricanes (Katrina comes to mind). Internet based communications and cell communications are subject to fail if conditions are bad enough, and they often are here. Our radio club is one of the best organizations I have ever been in. Very little politics and if there are differences of opinion we can freely voice them and come to some sort of compromise that will work. We have 52 members in our Amateur Radio Emergency Service group that can communicate mobile, portable or from home. We all have emergency power and battery power and we practice once a week on two nets and meet once a month for club business and training. I am also a Volunteer Examiner and preside over ham radio test sessions once a month. We have two members that are 12 yrs old and one that's 14. We have people of all ages in the club. It's not just the grumpy old guys like me. Our state and the 5 counties we cover know for a fact that there is value in having communications that will ALWAYS work and we will see they are not disappointed. Sorry for the rant but I know where you're coming from. Jack K5FIT
I do, indeed, concur wholeheartedly!!! Very well said.
Sometimes it is difficult but I try to simply brush off the negative folk and ignore them. I might sometimes just nod and say, "ok", and then move on. They mostly go away if we don't acknowledge or engage with them. ...mostly.
Keep doing what you are doing. I really enjoy your commentary, your reviews, and your helpful hints. Keep focusing on the positive things and promoting the good works that you see.
Life is too short to let someone else's negative attitude affect our own. Keep smiling and carry on!
Have a good one. 73!
Hayden, great video and deep insights into the challenges we face as a group. I am very passionate about Ham radio. I love it and I want to bring people to Amateur radio. As you know I was deeply involved with the rebirth of a local club. I will tell you from experience, if you have a complaint, it is fine to air it, but bring a solution to the conversation. Leadership is not easy, and for the most part it is thankless. If you are one who disagrees with the leadership where you are, be the one to step up and effect change. You may be the person that turns things around for an organization. There are so many folks that want change but are unwilling to step up to help make those changes. I can tell you I have been that person in a group that stepped up and helped change the culture and future for a club. It was the work of many, but it takes one or two get things started! Like you said "Money where your mouth is!"
I think you hit on part of the problem early in your video. This hobby was full of people that had something in common, love of ham radio. A vested interest in an awesome hobby. Over the last 15 years is has become so easy to get a license we have many people that just want to operate an appliance and it has to be easy. Now with that said we have also had some really awesome new modes that we may or may not had gotten. The new digital modes are crazy cool. I have never figured how things have become so divided? I have been mostly inactive because of it. I am starting to get some interest again.
Some good points Hayden. The problem I find is the attitudes of people in amateur radio on social media. The sad ham syndrome
Thanks Lewis
G'day Hayden , keep up the good work you are doing , I've been involved in Radio in one form or another since 1968 , I have had my Amateur Licence since 1996 , I am a Founding member of Maryborough Electronic Radio Grop / Club (MERG) and President and Repeater Coordinator of the Bunya Mountains and District Amateur Radio Club and at our last meeting I asked the same question Eg: What do you like to see this Club in the future? And got a lot of feed back at the meeting , as we are all getting older and we need young blood in the hobby , yours in Radio Gary at Fairyland Queensland VK4GRB
Cheers Gary! Glad that it’s also being talked about in clubs across the country too
Completely agree with your thoughts and I think it's important to put something like this out and calling out the bad actors. I sympathise with your feelings of dejectedness, I feel that myself sometimes. What's that quote, 'the only thing for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing'. Those of us that aren't gate keepers or grouchy fuddy duddies need to get our voices out over the noise. improve that signal to noise ratio :-)
SNR+20dB 😌
its the 80/20 rule that seems to apply in most everything in Life. In an organisation, if you get 20% of the people to volunteer for events, your doing very well. 80% will always show up and leave without effort, taking without giving. I learned that a long time ago when my sons were in Cub Scouts. The few of us that gave our time, did it because it needed to be done, we loved the kiddos and wanted to make things happen. I have learned to ignore complainers, just as you said, they complain but seldom offer time to make a change. All complaints should be made with a suggestion of change and willingness to give to the effort, otherwise the complaint is not valid and need not be taken into consideration.
I made it all the way through the video and I STAND with Hayden, absolutely point on! Bring back the FUN and respect of different aspects that interest others in the hobby even if it’s not your interest. Thank you Hayden.
You're a legend JoBrett. Thanks!
I have noticed people are easy to criticise the radio clubs, radio rallies, radio organisations, but these are all run by volunteers who put in a lot of their own time to organise these. So it would be good if more people could see how they can help out with their own local radio clubs and events.
I did my foundation license a few years ago. I only got one question wrong on the exam. After the prac the instructor said I was not allowed to transmit as my radio skills were very bad as I said over and out (that I use as a volunteer where we use fixed frequency radios). There was over a 5hr wait outside between the written exam and the prac. There is a club that is 5min away and they made it clear they don't want new members.
I thought the idea of foundation was to get skills and then move on to bigger better. One phone carrier in Australia has proven how fragile the mobile network is and the NBN almost daily demonstrate how fragile the internet is, so radio is more critical than ever, why is the old generation trying to take it to the grave with them?
I’m new to ham radio and I love it! It’s not perfect but then again nothing is. You’ll always find people complaining no matter what. Thank you so much for this informative UA-cam. It makes me want to get out there and do more. I’ve only had my license since April 2022 and I got my general two months later, so I’m enjoying it and if those critical people don’t like it, let them get walkie-talkies!!!
That's awesome mate! Glad that it inspires you to get out there!
Agree - try supporting your volunteers in these organisations to better the field. Instead of criticism, try assisting with what they're doing to improve things in a constructive way. It takes so much energy (I can see the toll this has taken on you), to counter and respond to these things, and it just results in lost productivity. If you want to drive change in your hobby - be the change, don't be the wally that criticises and doesn't contribute.
With having my license for one year and upgrading to Gen in March I have joined a local club that is great. I joined right when I got my ticket. It's an active and helpful group! Been to some of their homes and even service projects for other club members.
You hit the nail spot on.
If you don't feel a bit more happy when you turn off your radio, than you felt when you turned it ON, then it hasn't been a good day at the shack!
you have my support and empathy!! silence them. discussion with Them just puls you town to there low worthless level
Hang in there.
I was first licensed in the 70’s, when I was a kid, lost interest cuz highschool, got back into it in the 80s, got busy with life in the 90s and got back into it December 2023. Just got my Extra after being inactive for nearly 30 years.
Ham radio what motivated me to get into engineering and I hope I can help others now get interested in the hobby.
We appreciate you greatly.
I have been licensed since 1984. There was none of this in the 80's and 90's. Why ? we had no internet, no computers, no social media in those days where people can complain and hurl insults. It was just pure radio in those days...
HI! Yes, you’re definitely right, we have an attitude problem. I love ham radio and I’m fully aware I wouldn’t be here if it were not thanks to so many volunteers out there that help make it happen. In the two countries were I’m licensed, I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t complain about the local ARRL-like association, but I guess it’s too easy to complain without acting. And yes, we are under risk, our bands are at risk and if we keep acting like old isolated grumpy old men, we will not go anywhere nice. Sometimes when I read comments from some colleagues (not here but more generally I mean) I wonder how newcomers would feel and if they wouldn’t rather go back to their social media instead…
Yes, I guess we need to either be more thankful to everyone representing us or else be part of it.
Thanks for your videos!
73 & DX de F5VLQ - XE1K
I live in a Caribbean Island / Trinidad & Tobago ( 9Y / 9Z ) .. I am 52 yrs old , and started of in CB radio at the age of 16 and got into Ham Radio at age 26 ...... I am still heavily into the hobby after all these yrs , and i am heavily into antenna building , antenna design with software ( MMANA , EZNEC , YA ) ........ I try out a lot of the new stuff as it comes along , so as i can compare it and be a source of help , inspiration to local ops .... I really love the dxing aspect as it allows me to make friends worlwide ... Modes like FT8 is not my cup of tea , since it doesnt challenge me or my station and seems very impersonal , but its great for some ppl who cant setup a proper antenna system due to restriction ... So the hobby offers stuff for almost everybody and its nice for me to learn from others , which keeps me from life boring me .... LOL .... de 9Z4BM
I don’t always watch all the new videos from the channels I subscribe to. There are a few exceptions and your channel is one, so don't give up as you have many loyal subscribers who learn a lot from your efforts, knowledge and enthusiasm.
Thank you 32bits, that's very kind!
Ham Radio needs Purpose! Other than just playing with new toys, or experimenting with radio waves...These things can be done anytime. Just making contacts is useless, other than to see if your radio is working. It should be more than just a Hobby!
Funny...Just yesterday, cell service was offline for almost everyone near me. AT&T especially, but others as well. I could still use my radio. Sure...it wasn't 'an emergency'. It wasn't like I was saving toddlers from sudden death. Thing is, they don't as yet know WHAT caused this outage. Someone more conspiracy-theory oriented than me might say that this should tell us not to rely on cell service if the SHTF! Well, maybe. Maybe not. I'm not a prepper, but I am a person that believes there's nothing wrong with having alternatives. Within the past two weeks, I've talked to Australia, Bulgaria, Russis, Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Canada, Ecuador, Spain, and Chile, in addition to a whole bunch of US stations. That's using 100W and a wire antenna. I just can't see why the ability to do that would EVER be a problem for anyone...
The ham radio operators in our rural area are vital. They are called upon to provide communication during nearby wildfires and for the community’s search and rescue efforts. In addition to the retirees, there are a surprising numbers of young people interested. It is really important work. And who do you think will be able to communicate during a real regional or national crisis? Like when your cell phones don’t work and there are no land lines to use because we’ve all gotten rid of them? Your ham radio operators. Considering the national and international news, we’re as close to a nuclear exchange as we were during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
50+ years of ham radio have taught me many things, but the main one is that fellow hams are either your best friends or your worst enemies.
Well said Hayden. I run a sports club too and people are so quick to complain and don’t realise that other people give their time to help and it does get disheartening when all you hear are complaints. Keep doing videos and keep doing radio. There are people who do appreciate it.
Thanks Russell!
What got me interested in Ham Radio is the “do more with less” idea. W4ZTX
First, Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do for ham radio. I am a relatively new ham licensed in 2020 in the US. It is not just ham radio I have been involved with shooting and sporting clubs and it’s the same 10% of the people do 90% of the work and administration and 80% of the others complain or tell everyone how they would do it better. Oh and it was your FT8 on the Yaesu991A video that actually helped me with the settings and got me doing digital. Thanks again for all you do KC1OEK 73
Thanks mate, glad it helped out and for watching
The problem is that old ham operators are verbal abuse to new ham operators calling them CBers and all sorts of abuse.
I have been a contest operator since 1967 and HF CW and SSB contesting are my only interests. I am a member of the Potomac Valley Radio Club and I go to monthly meetings with other members who have a wide variety of interests besides contesting. I admire the guys who are experts at FT4/8, EME, remote operating, POTA, hamfests, and many other aspects of our hobby. Many members are and have been worldwide adventurers, pilots, and have done many other activities outside of amateur radio. Amateur radio continues to be more exciting as the years go by.
FWIW, I volunteered for Australia's first online radio school for 10 years. I even got a presidents commendation for my efforts before I had to make the decision step away.
Why did I step away?
The same reason I packed up my gear for eight years... and it certainly was not because I lost interest or because of apathy or naysayers. I simply ran out of time. Three kids, a mortgage and working long hours will do that to you.
The bane of society now is people are time poor with little room for anything else outside family and work. Its only until you get older that your time starts to free up. Well in my case anyway.
My kids are grown and I returned to the hobby in 2019. I will volunteer again in the future as I find it rewarding. I still have a mortgage and work long hours however, so volunteering a few years off yet.
Hayden, I remember you from the front cover of AR magazine. You were an inspiration then as you are now. Keep up the great work.
Hayden for President! 😜
Cheers
Thanks mate. Those AR covers were a LOOOONG time ago now ;)
You are spot on about clubs. No further comment needed. My club is you guys on UA-cam. I am an old guy with a recent (5 years) extra license. I don't have time for club politics. ARRL's website needs a complete revamp. Thank you for the great videos. You do amazingly.
Like you said, a lot of clubs and organisations are being affected like this. People become power hungry without the desire to be responsible for their actions, or even knowledgeable about the regulations and laws that govern their organisations. We can only hope that young people are interested enough to do the work and study to take the reins for the benefit of the clubs, not themselves.
I am an outsider looking in. In the United States you are seeing a big influx from the Survival/Prepping community. They are not driven by the science of radio but by the function of the communication it provides. This may be a blessing and a curse.
Hi. I enjoyed the video. Ive been a ham for about 40 years and still enjoy the hobby, but I do miss the days when the hams had conversations about electronics and building. I love working DX.
I originally got my USA novice license in 1962. It was magical then. And lo and behold it’s still kind of magical. Sure people have cell phones and computers, social media etc. But for this old dude, CW is a Zen experience. I still like SSB and miss AM. Digital and other modes, while not for me, keep the Ham experience afloat. Let’s enjoy this hobby, and let’s enjoy life, as much as possible.
100%, I've come across a few indignant operators who do not deserve to have access to Ham Radio, lots of jealousy, begrudgers, keyboard warriors, but hey they exist in every aspect of life..
But hey 👋 fook the begrudgers and keep up the good work Hayden 👏, I've learnt to ignore those simpletons.
Thanks Robbie for your comment and thoughts