I’m N0SSC, unfortunately the pretty face on this article. It is really nice to see my thoughts from my old “Millennials are killing ham radio” [0] being amplified by IEEE spectrum.
This thread is a good confirmation (bias?) of the issues facing the hobby (and the service) in the modern era. But still, I - 29 year old millennial - still think it’s an immeasurably fun and worthwhile hobby. I’m a co-founder of Youth on the Air [1], an IARU Region 2 (North/South America) spin-off of Youngsters on the Air [2], which is an initiative to connect young hams together and generally promote youth in the amateur radio and the art and science of radio and wireless.
So many believe that ham radio is no longer relevant in the 21st century, because of cell phones and ubiquitous internet, and a lot of us hams have one or two common refrains to rebut that:
1. what happens when all else fails? Ham radio!(preparedness and emergency communications)
2. it was hams who created the technology and trillions of dollars worth of infrastructure that make those things work
I take different approach that might be more welcome on this forum - ham radio is a wireless technology and radio science sandbox that is not only a really fun ultra-multifaceted hobby, but it’s also a prime extracurricular opportunity for young people (relative to the average amateur radio operator - a 55 year old white American).
I’d wax eloquent on the relevance of ham radio and how we can both bring the hobby back into mainstream but I’m with my family enjoying a long weekend after way too many hours of work, so hit me up [3].
Well generally when all else fails you want to talk more to local people. The ones that can help with the basics like food, shelter, water, meds, etc.
Family radios (FRS) are as easy to use as the old school walky talkies. They are also cheap, pairs are sold in the $30-$100 range. Sprinkle a few of those around the neighbors.
Sure a 2M HT isn't as user friendly, but a local ham can talk to the neighbors (in person or FRS) and then coordinate the other local people over 2M (often repeaters are on solar+battery). Said ham might even participate in emergency nets and have contacts inside various emergency organizations. Could likely figure out when water trucks are stopping by, food deliveries, expected projections for returning power, even help get prescription meds delivered.
Sure if it's bad enough HF might be needed. But even 2M + FRS can be a huge help to an impacted community.
The real advantage of HAM radio is that you own all the associated infrastructure. Everything you need to send a message across the planet can be packed up and carried with you. The same cannot be said of the satellite - though it's certainly a easier option in most cases.
This thread is a good confirmation (bias?) of the issues facing the hobby (and the service) in the modern era. But still, I - 29 year old millennial - still think it’s an immeasurably fun and worthwhile hobby. I’m a co-founder of Youth on the Air [1], an IARU Region 2 (North/South America) spin-off of Youngsters on the Air [2], which is an initiative to connect young hams together and generally promote youth in the amateur radio and the art and science of radio and wireless.
So many believe that ham radio is no longer relevant in the 21st century, because of cell phones and ubiquitous internet, and a lot of us hams have one or two common refrains to rebut that:
1. what happens when all else fails? Ham radio!(preparedness and emergency communications)
2. it was hams who created the technology and trillions of dollars worth of infrastructure that make those things work
I take different approach that might be more welcome on this forum - ham radio is a wireless technology and radio science sandbox that is not only a really fun ultra-multifaceted hobby, but it’s also a prime extracurricular opportunity for young people (relative to the average amateur radio operator - a 55 year old white American).
I’d wax eloquent on the relevance of ham radio and how we can both bring the hobby back into mainstream but I’m with my family enjoying a long weekend after way too many hours of work, so hit me up [3].
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23808659
[1] https://youthontheair.org
[2] https://www.ham-yota.com
[3] https://linktr.ee/kawfey