[UK-CONTEST] Increasing VHF contest participation by newbies

[Ray James]

--- On Fri, 21/11/08, Callum M0MCX <callum at mccormick.uk.com> wrote:

> All, 
> 
> If you are at all concerned that Amateur Radio might have
> got the wrong
> reputation and is "old technology" and boring, I
> thoroughly recommend
> offering your services to a local Scout group or the local
> school and show
> them why it's not boring and how it can be very
> exciting. 
> 
> I recommend becoming an instructor and teach young people
> about amateur
> radio. If everyone recruited at least two new people to
> amateur radio, the
> hobby would have a very bright future. 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Callum.
> 


That's what I like to read, well said Callum.
I would add that if your suggestion was a step too far for some due to family or work commitments, they ask at the local club or a newly licensed local they hear on the air if they'd like to pop around sometime to experience an established contest station, be it HF or VHF, to see how things can develop and offer availability of some assistance for their home station. "Elmering" as I believe they call it in the USA would greatly benefit a lot of the newbies coming into the hobby and give them an experience that will follow through for years to come.

73 Ray GM4CXM
IO75TW GS