[CQ-Contest] Why Are European Contesters Younger?

[Felipe J Hernandez]

Remi,

Thats what I imagined, I remember well those days, got my ham license also
29 yrs ago and now 44 yrs young..I remember well the soviet union's calls and 
great activity from those days.

I think we are struggling everywhere with Ham population, but somehow still
comes to my mind that "clubhouses" were important to attract people like in the old days.
I think that possible hams can have a broader idea of the hobby and find common interests with others that can entice them to look deeper into the hobby when they congregate.

Have the number of club stations on your country diminished?
Do you see a relationship between that and amateur population?
I would like to hear from other amateurs if they see a relationship between clubhouses and amateur population.

Regards,

Felipe
Np4Z
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: LY8O 
  To: cq-contest at contesting.com 
  Cc: fhdez at islandnetjm.com 
  Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 6:26 AM
  Subject: Re: Why Are European Contesters Younger?


  Felipe,

  Well, not so sure I could explain it absolutely correct, but by my opinion there could be some historical reasons:
  1. Remember, that at older times Eastern Europe was under Communism preasure.
  2. Amateur radio at that times was the only way to communicate with the rest of the world for many of us (no internet; to call abroad by phone you must order this possibility in advance). Especialy for yong people (my first QSO was when I was a bit over 14 years old, say 29 years and 8 month ago, wow...) with so many restrictions to go abroad including the excursions to "socialist countries"...
  3. This Amateur Radio, especialy contesting, was named as Technical-Military Sport (remember the time!!!) and was sponsored by Goverment. Depending on your or club station results you can expect for something better (equipment, parts, sometimes some monney dotations and so on). And people "fighted" for that "better future"...
  4. To become an Amateur Radio operator you must know Morse code.
  5. Special classes and courses for young interesants - all was payed by Goverment.
  6. As the result from all above - higher activity from Eastern Europe, more oldtimers still playing this game.
  That is IMHO... Could be something else...
  But we have also a big problem with "young blood" as everyone. This year perhaps could be one of the best in the couple of last years history in LY - some number of CB people decided to join Amateur Radio, passes the tests and already got the Calls. And those people are 20 - 30 years old. And some more people from CB are thinking about Amateur Radio.. Looks like there is some more "clay" to expand Amateur Radio Society :) Will see :)

  73, Remi LY8O


  *** Felipe NP4Z wrote: ***
  >But also I have the impression that Eastern europe shows a little more 
  >participation than western europe is that so? What could be the reason?
  >
  >Regards,
  >
  >Felipe
  >np4z