I've been a ham for over fifty years. The problem with a lack of young hams starts at the local level. When I took my novice test at 14 the guy who was giving it became my lifelong friend or in ham speak my Elmer. I started a high school club (still going strong) and all its members were friends with this guy.
He strongly encouraged me to join the local club and I did. Not only did I meet other teenage hams but I made friends with older hams who taught me stuff and were happy to be supportive.
Contrast that with today, the club is still around but its moribund. I reached out when they were having problems keeping their repeater on the local university tower. I was told my help wasn't wanted.
I reached out again when the local marker space wanted to do a joint event. I'm a life member of the group but I was rebuffed. I can only imagine the 14 year old me taking one look at this cliquish group of older guys and being discouraged about the hobby.
I've run a programming group for twenty years. Sometimes the members get on me for having introductory type meetings. But I'm always reaching out to the greater community and trying to get new members. That's how you grow, if you don't do it you die. There's plenty in the ham radio hobby to attract young people, but if the local community turns them off they quickly chose to do something else.
He strongly encouraged me to join the local club and I did. Not only did I meet other teenage hams but I made friends with older hams who taught me stuff and were happy to be supportive.
Contrast that with today, the club is still around but its moribund. I reached out when they were having problems keeping their repeater on the local university tower. I was told my help wasn't wanted.
I reached out again when the local marker space wanted to do a joint event. I'm a life member of the group but I was rebuffed. I can only imagine the 14 year old me taking one look at this cliquish group of older guys and being discouraged about the hobby.
I've run a programming group for twenty years. Sometimes the members get on me for having introductory type meetings. But I'm always reaching out to the greater community and trying to get new members. That's how you grow, if you don't do it you die. There's plenty in the ham radio hobby to attract young people, but if the local community turns them off they quickly chose to do something else.