All,
Thanks for the kind words, everyone — I’m glad the post sparked some discussion. Haskell (K5HRM), I’m right there with you on giving digital modes a fair shot. And I am going to have to buckle down and get my General knocked out. Clearly FT8 and the likes has proven its value in ways that go beyond just racking up contacts. It’s not replacing ragchewing or contesting, but it keeps HF alive when propagation is marginal and has real EmComm utility, as we saw with Helene. For anyone that is interested, here is an ARRL Article making that point Ham Radio Serving Southeast US Recovery Efforts (October 4, 2024) (link here). It references Winlink specifically and talks about its extensive use.
Steven (KG5VK), those ARRL membership numbers are a great point. ~15.4% penetration is low, but it’s a reminder that the total licensed pool is still the bigger picture. The challenge is converting more of those 733k+ licensees into active participants and, more importantly to me, into club members who show up on the air or at events.
One thing that stood out to me while digging into the latest stats is how the aging curve hasn’t flattened yet, but there are pockets of growth. Technician licenses (the entry point) still make up a healthy share of new issuances, and events like Field Day, license classes, and public service activities continue to bring in newcomers. Our club’s relatively small size can actually be an advantage here — it’s easier to mentor folks one-on-one and run targeted demos (Meshtastic, digital modes, APRS, etc.). And RRVARC has shown some steady growth over the last few years, so I am convinced that as a club we are doing something right.
Mark has asked me to do a short presentation on Meshtastic at the upcoming June 20th Club meeting. I hope the low-barrier entry point to participating in that might make it appeal to the next generation (and re-engage some of the silent licensees). We already do a solid job with what we have — building on that with hands-on sessions would seem likely to help.
73
Phillip Beall (W5EBC)