Youthnet NEWS Issue 10
Youthnet NEWS 010 10/09/94
Alexis Leynes N9KYJ [Editor-in-Chief]
Jennifer Finch N9SAK [Founder]
Topic:
- The Survey Says
- Welcome back N9SAK
The Survey Says
Remember a while back when I sent out a survey. Well, it took me a while to tabulate the results to find out where the youth in amateur radio is going. I have the current results that have been sent in so far, as of the first of this month. There are many people in the amateur radio community who are awaiting these results and would like an up to date study. So I have decided to make this an ongoing survey for the next few years to try and find out the long term trend of young hams like us in amateur radio and tell others of it. Please note that this is not an accurate survey. Not enough young hams in the amateur radio community were interviewed for this survey to be very reliable. But nevertheless, it is just a cross section of our ham population. Only 30 people has replied to this survey so far. And for all of the people who sent in your replies to the survey, your answers and identity will NOT be given to others and remain confidential.
1. What made you interested in Ham Radio?
Most of the answers were that a relative introduced them to ham radio.
Two answered that they bumped into the topic of ham radio while reading a book. Others were tired of 11 meters, and a few said they had a small background in remote control cars, and planes.
2. Why do kids want to be hams?
This is a very diverse question. Many people answered this by writing that they wanted to talk to someone older than them at the same level. Others wrote that ham radio expanded their horizons in the field of electronics and science. And others wrote that they liked the charm of contacting a person half way around the world.
3. Are you more interested in building ham equipment or using them.
The majority of the responses said that building ham equipment today is too hard, and the know-how needed to build these projects are a bit of reach for them. But, they would build simpler things, such as antennas, or even put together RGU-58 cable.
4. Are there ham clubs for young hams.
All of the replies said, "No, not in my area that, I know of," except for one who helps run a club in a school.
5. What would young hams like to see more of in amateur radio?
The majority of the answers were more young hams like us to talk to. But there were a few said that they are tired of being pushed by an older ham who doesn't like the young no-code technicians.
6. As a young ham, do you think that you are well represented in national or local ham organizations?
Answer varies depending on local ham clubs. Most of the answers said that they weren't well represented in the national clubs or organizations.
7. What do you talk about with the adults on the air.
The majority of the answers were, "Anything." Some of responses said that the older hams were curious on what they did in school for the day. 8. Is the testing requirements easier or harder for you? What do you want to seem more in these tests?
The majority of responses said that it was very easy, and it should remain the same. Three said it was too easy, and it should be made harder. Five told me that they should re-write the General and Technician tests, by placing the FM theory from the General theory into the Technician test.
9. How do you think is ham radio helping you in your everyday life?
The basic answers said that it helped with their speaking ability in public. Others said that it was very helpful when riding in a car for those "Just in case" emergencies. Others answered that it offered them a world perception without leaving the home. And there where those who answered that it gave them chance to call home using autopatch when a phone wasn't available to them.
10. If you have parents who are not in the hobby, are they supportive?
The majority said that parents are very supportive of them.
Some said that their parents are supportive until they cause some television interference, or ask them to install an antennae on the car during trips. But the majority of the answers said that the parents are supportive when it comes to antennae projects.
11. What aspect of amateur radio are you interested in (voice, CW FM, AM, SSB, HF, VHF, UHF, ATV, Packet, Fax, DX, Contest, Special Events, biking, hiking, etc...)?
Answer: All
Disclaimer: Again, in no way this is an accurate survey of the present trends of young hams across the nation. Hopefully in the next few years, and after more surveys has been received over time, this survey may be a bit more reliable. Hopefully, this survey can help us in the long run. Stay tuned.
Welcome back Jennie
If you noticed, Jennifer Finch, N9SAK, had to move her QTH to Rochester, New York. Since her setup had to be moved, I took over Youthnet NEWS for a while, alone. It was a very tedious task, but I managed. She currently has a packet setup, but currently, no E-mail address. More reporters will be available for Youthnet NEWS in, around the nation. Our goal is to have at least on representative for every state, and country of the world. I'll send out a list of a local reporter nearby you. If you want to be a Youthnet NEWS reporter, send me or Jennie a message, and I'll send out a PRESS package as soon as possible. That's all for now.
73's DE Alex N9KYJ & Jennifer Finch N9SAK
e-mail:
YthnetNEWS@aol.com
AlexN9KYJ@aol.com
aln9kyj@mcs.com
Packet addresses:
N9KYJ@W9ZMR.IL.USA.NOAM
N9SAK@WB2WXQ.#WNY.NY.USA.NOAM
Youthnet NEWS is an amateur radio informational service for the young radio amateur operator.
All rights are reserved 1994
