4 ms·
I was first licensed as a ham originally back in 2009 at 22 years old. As a "young ham" the vast majority of elmers (the old folks) generally looked at me with
by fluxquanta 11y ago
I was first licensed as a ham originally back in 2009 at 22 years old. As a "young ham" the vast majority of elmers (the old folks) generally looked at me with disdain because they all seemed to think that I didn't "earn" my qualification and am somehow not worthy of being part of the hobby, despite being in a physics PhD program at the time.
In other words, at least in my anecdotal case, it was difficult to break in to ham radio as a youngster because the old folks were actively trying to push me out, and yet these are the same people who claim the hobby is dying. Luckily I stuck with it and got more respect among the older folks after getting my Extra and learning CW (even though it's no longer a requirement).
- jacquesm 11y agoI never got 'in', but a local ham taught me a ton of electronics. Sadly, his memory is fading and he doesn't even remember the times we spent building an 80m band receiver and a bunch of other devices. Peter, PA0PJE, thank you :)
- fluxquanta 11y agoThere have been a few very friendly elmers, don't get me wrong. On Field Day a couple years ago I saw on the ARRL's website that there was a gathering for a club I didn't belong to about two hours away, at the club president's home, so I decided to stop by. The home owner invited me, a stranger, inside and basically left me alone in a room with tens of thousands of dollars of equipment and said "Have fun!" I stayed for hours. I would join his club if it were closer to me. In general, however, unless you're complaining about how Obama is ruining the country or how your arthritis is acting up, it's hard to fit in with most hams.