[CQ-Contest] Will there be anyone to work in 20 years?

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Dave and I normally agree on most issues, but I think this pessimism is 
unwarranted.  What is needed, I think, is a long-term, consistent, 
correctly-targeted effort to persuade young people that the point is not 
"to communicate with people in real time", but to do something 
technical, exciting, satisfying, and just plain cool.

Recently, it occurred to me that a kid-targeted video about WRTC 2014 
could invoke the parallels between contesting and massively multi-player 
Internet gaming, combined with play-by-play coverage of a couple of the 
younger teams.  A similar approach to DXing or EME or whatever could 
emphasize characteristics like independence, suspense, competition, and 
peer respect - all things that kids want.

Let's not quit on ham radio's future.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
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On 5/30/2013 1:44 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
> ....
>
> c.  Compare pictures of ham radio conventions and club meetings taken 
> today versus those taken 30 years ago.  For the most part, everyone in 
> view just looks 30 years older.  Extrapolation isn't always 
> justifiable, but in this case I think it is pretty much an irrefutable 
> trend.
>
> d.  There is only one way to look at stars of your own choosing in 
> real time.  There are MANY ways (most of them of better quality than 
> ham radio) to communicate with others in real time.
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E