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I’m a millennial (35). I’ve been a ham since I was 15. It’s what led me to be an electrical engineer. I’m primarily a CW (Morse Code) operator, and have been si

I’m a millennial (35). I’ve been a ham since I was 15. It’s what led me to be an electrical engineer. I’m primarily a CW (Morse Code) operator, and have been since I started. I love the hobby, and it means a lot to me. That said, I was basically always the youngest regular member of the local ham radio club, and most of the other members are/were old enough to be my parent or grandparent. That’s a little disheartening (which is not a knock, the people I’ve met and befriended are great, and have always been incredibly welcoming to me). I’m not sure how to change things, but I do think there should be less of a focus on chatting with old guys, and maybe more on the tech, the challenges, and the opportunity for learning. FWIW, I sell a ham radio app, and have for 13+ years. My sales have increased ~4x during the pandemic. I guess a lot of people are returning to activity in the hobby while stuck at home?

popped 6y ago
you sound like a wise 35yo. Hanging around those old folk has some benefits. I worked really hard with no one to help in a rural community to get my licence at 13, then after saving up and buying an old tube rig finding the disappointment of talking to old men about the weather. Then the Internet hit. Any chance of a link to your app?
- thelastinuit 6y ago
  Second the question!
- armadsen 6y ago
  I agree. I’ve always liked being around older people, because I feel like I can learn a lot from them. That was true even when I was a teenager. I had the incredible fortune to be friends with Pem Farnsworth, Philo T Farnworth’s widow in my teens. She was 76 years older than me, but a true friend, and an incredibly interesting person to talk to. My app is: https://aetherlog.com https://aetherlog.com. I’m working on a site redesign (finally!) now.
naavis 6y ago
I feel like it is the same with many hobby clubs at least here in Finland. The average age of members is very high and going up all the time. Somehow younger people are not drawn to local clubs anymore, probably because many communities have moved online.
helij 6y ago
This reminds me of our Astronomy club.

popped 6y ago

you sound like a wise 35yo. Hanging around those old folk has some benefits. I worked really hard with no one to help in a rural community to get my licence at 13, then after saving up and buying an old tube rig finding the disappointment of talking to old men about the weather. Then the Internet hit. Any chance of a link to your app?

thelastinuit 6y ago
Second the question!
armadsen 6y ago
I agree. I’ve always liked being around older people, because I feel like I can learn a lot from them. That was true even when I was a teenager. I had the incredible fortune to be friends with Pem Farnsworth, Philo T Farnworth’s widow in my teens. She was 76 years older than me, but a true friend, and an incredibly interesting person to talk to. My app is: https://aetherlog.com https://aetherlog.com. I’m working on a site redesign (finally!) now.

naavis 6y ago

I feel like it is the same with many hobby clubs at least here in Finland. The average age of members is very high and going up all the time. Somehow younger people are not drawn to local clubs anymore, probably because many communities have moved online.

helij 6y ago

This reminds me of our Astronomy club.