Mark
Why should the test of success be kids walking away from Facebook etc to go
onto 2m? There are legions of amateurs on Facebook groups. And there are
legions of gamers on social media.
Apparently the hobby is declining everywhere in the world except the US,
according to Yaesu. There, they say, the market is going up by 3% a year, and
everywhere else down by the same amount. So you are right - we have to find
ways of bringing knowledge of the hobby to all those who may be interested.
But self-selection only occurs if the people concerned are actually made aware
of the opportunity. That means reaching them; and that means targeted
communication - because the figures make it clear that neither serendipity,
osmosis, or telepathy are working.
Of course the biggest challenge is kids. They are the engineers, the
experimenters, and the innovators of the future. Growing the hobby won't
happen otherwise. Again, the figures prove the point.
And, with respect, no-one seems to have taken on board that the film - like
every film of its type - is designed as support material for a recruitment
effort involving much more, including personal contact and hands on experience.
Anyway, thanks for the argument, and a very goodnight.
73
Mike
.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 21:48, Mark Kent <mark.antony.kent@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Mike, okay, but how many of those shown in the film, have been interested in
watching the film (self-aggrandisement aside)?
I do not accept the statement that the challenge is to attract kids, in fact,
I think this premise is incorrect.
For me, the challenge, the proper premise, is to attract people who would be
interested in amateur radio, be they any age, sex, whatever… such people
tend to be self-selecting, they are most likely to be already engaged in or
interested in activities of a mathematical, scientific or engineering bent,
be it computing, repairing steam engines, playing chess games, studying maths
or physics, repairing electronics or machines… et cetera.
So, if I’m right, then the video is unlikely to be particularly effective,
and there will be little or no discernible impact.
If I’m wrong, then we should get a whole bunch of kids walking away from
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and switching on 2 metre rigs.
#bigdecision, #QSO
I’d love to be wrong,
73 G8PHM Mark.
PS. A psychologist is reported today, in the ‘I’, as having ‘discovered’
that scientists tend to be more ‘spectrum', and that more males are
‘spectrum’ than females. I thought this was well-known, but apparently it
wasn’t until today. That would be the target group, though, in my view.
You’ll find them playing computer games, rather than on Facebook or twitter.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 21:30, MG Blueyonder <mike.granatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Well, I'll stick with the evidence of the testing. It apparently works
pretty well with the people who are there to be attracted - and there were
plenty of youngsters in the film handling projects and construction that
belied the accusation/assumption of short attention spans.
It isn't any good bemoaning the grammar of modern media any more than
bemoaning the passing of vacuum state technology, silver oxide photography,
or starting handles,
Our challenge is to attract kids as they are, in the world they inhabit,
with the grammar they expect. To coin a phrase, the past is another place.
We're not there any more. And the kids never were..
73 Mike
On 4 Nov 2015, at 20:20, Mark Kent <mark.antony.kent@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Are the kind of people who are likely to be interested in amateur radio
those who would find such a video interesting? I have very strong doubts
about that. Even if they were to, as per Phil’s point, it’s clearly not
representative.
Focus on people who are interested in science, technology, maths,
engineering… if you can find people who already understand electronics, so
much the better, but it’s not essential.
Further, I’m all for foundation licensees, and see no reason why they
should progress beyond that point unless they want to, and again, I doubt a
video like this would make a lot of difference.
Personally, I think the video insults the intelligence of anyone likely to
be interested in the subject… but there we go.
Maybe I’m just a cynical old nit-picking git...
On 4 Nov 2015, at 20:12, Chris Pegrum <chris@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Evening all, second time writing this after my damn phone deleted it so
this is the very short version.
I agree with Mike and Kevin. The videos good to encourage the younger
generations.
Luckily I could route out the ones that look down or don't help. I managed
to get from foundation to full licence in less than a year (just).
We need elmers to help and ensure that every one plays a part in that.
Maybe like national service after you've got your full licence.
Aka the ARRL method.
Regards
Chris Pegrum
chris@xxxxxxxxxx
73 de M0NAY
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On 4 Nov 2015, at 19:38, gladius650@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Redacted sender
"gladius650" for DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
If some full license holders were less arrogant towards foundation
license holders , we would have more confidence to go on the air also to
progress through the ranks. Also a fair amount of insulting our
intelligence because of us not obtaining our license via taking the R A
E. Because I can understand current flow, resistance and loading ect
through past work, apparently I am a cocky bastard. People need educating.
M6LVK
Sent from my HTC
----- Reply message -----
From: "MG Blueyonder" <mike.granatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <wkars-members@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [wkars-members] Re: RSGB DRM UPDATE
Date: Wed, Nov 4, 2015 7:01 PM
Oh come on you lot. The objective is to intrigue youngsters and
teenagers, not satisfy cynical old nit-pickers like us. While I don't
give the RSGB credit for much, they found a professional production
company to make the right video, at the right pace and length for the
target audience, and tested it with typical target groups to make sure it
worked. Of course, if you've got a better idea for attracting youngsters
to the hobby....
73. Mike M0RYK / F4VRD
On 4 Nov 2015, at 17:53, Phil B <phil_m0ima@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A friend of mine has described it as "a production by The Children's
Television Workshop and was bought to you by the letters T, I and T and
the number 1!"
Glad it's not just me that felt it was completely off target....but then
I am old......
73. Phil. M0IMA.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 17:47, Mark Kent <mark.antony.kent@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Yeah, you’re right I’m sure. It does rather suggest, though, that it’s
a waste of effort. Anyone with an attention span of around 2
seconds[1] is unlikely to even manage a foundation licence, let alone
progress any further.
Note 1: 2 seconds is the duration of a typical shot ( id est, between
cuts) in yoof music videos… so for a 2 minute song, you need an
astonishing sequence of 60 shots!
Maybe you could explain a band plan in 2 second bites :-)
73 Mark G8PHM.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 17:41, Gordon Bubb <gordonbubb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
They left off the age warning bit. Mark, you shouldn't have been
watching it at all as you are over 20 years old and have an attention
span of more than 2 seconds.
Given that the unstated target audience is obviously modern yoof I
though it was good but for anyone else it was a complete turn-off.
I could comment on the poor audio production with the radio station
pick-up in the background but I'm told it is meant to be like that. CF
modern "yoof" I guess.
gmb
On 4 November 2015 at 17:26, Mark Kent <mark.antony.kent@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Personally, I found it loathsome, well produced, but essentially
dreadful.
Still, it’s better than watching a fixed raffle.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 17:15, Phil B <phil_m0ima@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Keith,
the balance of the RSGB video is awful. It gives the impression of a
hobby populated by children and young to middle aged women. Please
don't misunderstand me as there'd be nothing wrong with that if it
were true, but it's not! I was also somewhat taken aback by the
probably unlicensed children using radios at what I think was a
JOTA event. It's great to see such enthusiasm, but where was the
supervision? Or, for that matter, an explanation that this was a
special exercise and that for normal operating a licence is required?
I know and agree that it's important to attract more people into
amateur radio. I just don't think that distributing a false image
like this is going to help achieve that objective.
OGMS
73. Phil. M0IMA.
On 4 Nov 2015, at 16:20, keithlbird@xxxxxxx
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear club colleagues, some items of news and information that I
hope will be of interest.
Amateur Radio - a 21st Century Hobby
A new video has been produced by the RSGB to introduce amateur
radio to young people.
This video has been made to show many facets of the hobby,
involving young people making contacts, building projects and
talking about what interests and excites them with the hobby.
It was first released at the recent RSGB convention and was
available for use by clubs during JOTA a few weeks ago. If you have
still not seen this video it can be viewed through YouTube at;
https://youtu.be/8x6x_6mDVlQ
World Radio Conference 2015
The latest WRC has begun in Geneva and runs until the 27th of
November. Working with Ofcom in the preparation and during the
conference is a critical part of the RSGB activity portfolio, along
with the other national societies in this ITU region to safeguard
the amateur band allocations, and expand on these where possible.
The demand for radio spectrum from commercial business and the
communications industry at large continues to grow, with further
interest being shown in our 70cms allocations. As we often hear,
use it or loose it.
Background to the WRC-15 and regular updates from the conference
can be found on the RSGB website
http://rsgb.org/main/news/special-focus/wrc-15/
Ofcom Guidance Notes
This week, Ofcom released some guidance notes that they have
produced to help radio amateurs to understand, and ensure that they
comply with the terms and conditions of the amateur radio licence
that was revised earlier this year.
The guidance notes should be read in conjunction with your licence,
which is paramount. While the guidance has tried to clarify the
licence, it appears that in some respects it may have added
confusion that will need to be addressed in a later version of the
notes.
If you are looking for a copy of the current guidance notes, these
can be found at;
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/licensing-updates/guidance-oct2015/
2m FM Activity Period
Members of the Thurrock Acorns Amateur Radio Club (G4HKO/GX4HKO)
have instigated a 2m FM activity periods, and the next one is
scheduled for Saturday the 28th of November starting at 13.00hrs.
Earlier this year they arranged a 2m activity afternoon which
proved to be a huge success with all those that took part. This is
not a competition and there is no prize, the afternoon is their to
encourage amateurs to operate/return to the 2m FM band.
Over the years the once very active 2m band has been over looked by
many and the idea of the event is to encourage people to operate on
2m for that afternoon at least.
They are suggesting that stations remain active on the band until
at least 17.00hrs, though their is no reason to stop if you're
having good contacts on-air.
While the Thurrock Acorns ARC is in Essex the signals will no doubt
reach into Kent, and their is no reason why amateurs in Kent
shouldn't use the event to get more activity into our corner of the
South East.
More information from www.taarc.co.uk
RSGB Events Listing
May I remind you of the RSGB Events listing on the Societies
website, which is open to view by the wider amateur community, and
is available to help promote your club activities.
The listing may be of your regular club meetings or other special
events that may be of interest to others, and can be seen via the
RSGB website; https://thersgb.org/services/eventsplanner/
If any clubs have questions or face difficulties in listing their
events on this website do let me know..
Reduced Bandwidth TV.
I attended the RSGB Convention a few weeks ago, and was very
pleased to make the event this year, being my first time of
attending this annual event.
One of the presentations I attended was on the Reduced Bandwidth TV
mode, which appears to be making an impact on the additional
bandwidths amateurs have been granted in the UK.
While some may not be able to use the new frequencies for
transmitting, you might still be interested to know that RB-TV has
attained a level of interest, and you could at least investigate
receiving this new mode.
Their is more information on RB-TV in the latest ATV column of the
November edition of RadCom, along with some background on the
Titiioune software that is used by many for RB-TV.
Electronic Learning Bricks
A range of electronic learning bricks have been produced to
encourage and inspire young people, or anyone generally starting
out in electronics.
These are an exciting range of rugged electronic bricks that may be
used to build a vast range of circuits and projects, from simple
passive and active, to more advanced digital and Arduino based,
right through to higher level radio communications and RF.
Quantity discounts for the kits are available for UK radio and
electronics clubs. Further details from Dave Williams G8PUO Tel:
07870 074538 or email admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx
See the website for further details of the learning bricks at
www.ditronix.com
Club of the year
As a reminder, your club entry to the 'Club of the Year'
competition will need to be submitted early in the New Year, so now
is the time to look at the events and activities your club has
undertaken in the last year, and prepare to submit your entry.
The theme of this year’s RSGB Club of the Year competition is
Promoting Amateur Radio.
Details of the competition can be found at www.rsgb.org/coty.
Local Rallies
Kempton Rally - 8th Nov
This Sunday is the autumn Kempton rally, being held at the Kempton
Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex
TW16 5AQ.
I plan to attend so I expect I might see many of you there. Doors
open at 10am and we will observe the two minutes silence at 11am.
Rainham Radio Rally - 28th Feb 2016
Mark this date in your diaries to attend if you can. I shall be
along at the RSGB table, selling books to support our national
society and sign up new members where we can. Do come over and say
hello and to support the RSGB by purchasing some merchandise or
joining up.
Dover Rally - 13th Mar 2016
This is another of our established local rallies in Kent, and I
hope that many of you will be able to support this rally.
The rally is held at the Whitfield Village Hall, Sandwich Rd,
Whitfield, Dover, CT16 3LY. Doors open at 10am and their is an
auction at 12.30pm before the doors then close at 1pm, when we pack
up and begin our journeys home.
The contact for any questions or book a table is Peter G0KOK, Tel:
07850 464026 or email peterjlove@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I hope the above if useful to you and your members, if you have
anything for me to share with other amateurs across Kent please get
in touch.
73 Keith - G4JED
RSGB DRM - Kent
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