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Recently I attended the Hamfest (ham radio festival) in Fairbanks, Alaska. It
took place a few days ago on the first Saturday in October. It was a rather
small, but spirited group of folks from the local club and some (like me) who
are not members. It was held in a local mall, so there was also a few folks who
were just passing by that would take a look at the tables before moving on to
whatever had brought them to the mall.
I think this is really a neat way to get a few people together that share a
common hobby, and it probably sparks a little bit of interest from the general
public as they pass by. I also am sure that this was a lot of work for the
organizers as well, so I tip my hat to them and made an effort to stop by
Saturday to see the event.
While I was there, I noted that there were several tables out front, and two or
three inside the venue. Also inside, towards the back of the storefront, was an
area with about 20 chairs and a projector and screen performing zoom
presentations with live speakers and online guests. The schedule was posted
before hand, and they had an interesting line up.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder why there were only about 15 or 20 people
there. When I’ve gone to the club meetings, there are generally 30 to 40 people
present, so I felt this was a bit of a poor showing. Perhaps, since I was only
there about an hour, others had come and gone throughout the day, and I just
didn’t see them.
Most of the sales tables looked bare, but I was told that the “good stuff” sold
long before I got there. It was about 1:30 pm when I arrived, and the event was
slated from 10 am until 3 pm. So it is possible that I just “missed it”. But I
couldn’t help but wonder if it is something else.
Again, this is just my opinion, and I want to reiterate that the person who
organized and set this up did some really great stuff. I am not trying to be
critical, but hope to point out an observation that maybe could help the
hamfest and local club really grow: it seem really geared towards not just an
older crowd, but also an older mindset.
Everything for sale on the tables was really good old school gear. But that is
part of the problem. If you’ve read this blog, you know I used both a TS-520
and a TS-820s tube driven radio to do digital comms, and so I’m no stranger to
old equipment. But I don’t believe there was a transceiver on the for sale
tables that was made after the year 2000. Everything that was on the tables was
for voice comms, or CW Morse code, both of which are really good and valid
means of communication. However, there was nothing with a USB plug, or a
waterfall display, or touch screen, or any other modern piece of equipment
present. There were no (to my knowledge) digital modems, satellite assemblies,
microwave equipment, or the like. Just older, well used (and probably really
hearty) radios.
I will note that the organizers don’t control what used equipment is brought to
the event. Certainly this comment is not against the organizers or MC of the
event. It’s not really a comment against anyone at all. It’s just an
observation…. Either this local club only does voice and CW, or at least they
are not willing to sell any digital comms capable units.
I then took a look at the presentation, and it was really great that they had a
zoom setup with a guest speaker presenting a class, that was really good. I did
note, though that only one of the six (? I think there were six ?)
presentations covered anything digital, and one was about operating your radio
remotely through the internet. Nothing wrong with that, but with a vast world
of new digital modes that are quickly outpacing voice and CW comms, it would
seem like there would be a presentation about using some of them. Again, not
knocking anybody, just an observation.
Also, I took some time to talk to the folks that were there. They were super
friendly, which was a huge plus. One even made a special effort to talk to my
two year old son who went with me. He did good too, he even got a high five
from my son, which is hard to do when he meets new people. Regarding the hobby,
though, both here and last year at the hamfest, any attempt I made to bring up
digital comms, either JS8Call, FT8, Winlink, Ardop, etc., was a very, very
short conversation. Any conversation that focused on CW would go on for 20 plus
minutes until I would have to politely end the conversation. Nothing wrong with
that either, just an observation.
I also noticed that people passing by would look “at” the hamfest, but very few
ventured “into” the hamfest. There didn’t seem to be anything to lure them in
deeper, they quickly saw a few tables with interesting old equipment, run, by
and large, by a crowd whose average age was probably around 50 years old, and
moved on. I felt like I was the youngest person there, and I am getting close
to 40. Nothing wrong with older folks, I’m becoming one myself!
All that said, my overall conclusion was this: the entire setup seemed to be an
older mindset that interests those who have such a mindset. There didn’t seem
to be anything appealing to the modern era or younger crowd. In theory, if it
continues that way, all the current members will eventually pass away
(hopefully not for many, many years), and the hamfest will become a thing of
the past.
So, how do we fix it?
1. Modernize. Have some newer equipment on display, even if there is not
some for sale. Having more modern equipment out might look more appealing
to people passing by. You can always point any interested parties to
online stores where they too could get some of this modern tech.
2. Run a station. It may not have been as feasible in this location, but if
the club would support having one or two operators available, and do some
VHF/UHF with local repeaters, maybe even some Winlink. Have a second
station for HF, try some FT8 or JS8, or even some whisper. With a dual
screen setup, one facing the crowd, and using a program with a map,
people might find it fascinating when you use that little transceiver and
message someone in Japan or Canada, or even farther! Kids love this kind
of stuff and I would bet it would have been really appealing at this mall
location.
3. The presentations looked really good overall, I would just recommend
mixing in some modern kinds of digital comms. If it is something the
group doesn’t do well, then maybe they can learn something new.
4. Reach out to preppers. Preppers are a subculture all of their own, but
they really thrive on radio gear and self contained non internet comms.
Having a display relating to “being ready for disaster” or adding a
prepper class in the presentation lineup would be helpful.
5. Have a “door greeter” who can help people passing by feel like they are
welcome to step in and learn what this is all about. Never know, might
get a few new club members that way.
That’s just some thoughts. Of course, if they did these things, you would need
at least 3 extra people working at the festival, but who knows, it might make
it seem just a little bit more inviting.
Linux – keep it simple.