How many of those young hams were still active two years after they got
their license? Do you even know?
Dave AB7E
On 9/2/2025 7:47 AM, John Magliacane via Elecraft wrote:
The Amateur Radio Service has a formally and internationally defined basis and purpose.
Hobbies don't have such rigorous structures or definitions. In fact, FCC Part 97 uses
more than 23,000 words to describe the Amateur Radio Service, and NOT ONE is the word
"hobby".
So, why do we insist on calling it a "hobby", and when has that practice ever
led to anything productive?
I've been employed in higher education (in one shape or form) for nearly 40 years. It has
been my experience that young adults who wish to better themselves professionally, become
productive members of society, and gain a competitive edge over others in the job market
have little time or interest in "hobbies". Hobbies are for old folks with an
abundance of disposable free time.
But when I show them some of the "deeper" areas of Amateur Radio, such as
antenna design, receiver design, transmitter design, repeater design, software design,
and the self-training that made those accomplishments possible, their eyes light up
because they know no school will ever expose them to these practical skills.
But Amateur Radio will!
In fact, I earned several credits towards my Bachelor's Degree in Electronics
through my Amateur Radio License, and the efforts I made to earn it. The same
cannot be said for doll collecting or any other hobby.
So, I agree that organization such as HamSCI are on the right track in using
the resources Amateur Radio has to offer for the purpose those resources have
been allocated. They realize our spectrum is allocated for a purpose, not a
pastime.
Thank you, Steve!
73 de John, KD2BD
_
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