As a young amateur, you can make a positive difference, especially after the events of September 11.

It's been three months since the horrible events of September 11, and the world continues to change as a result. Here in the United States, ham radio operators and clubs are revisiting the roles they play as providers of emergency communications. ARES and RACES groups are reviewing their response and operations procedures. In some cases, various levels of government are reaching out to the amateur community to pick up the ball when all else fails.

Though the following applies to all amateurs, regardless of age, I would like to discuss one of the roles we younger hams can play in the realm of public service during these new times.

The Fun Side Versus the Service Side

Our hobby offers non-stop fun in many areas, such as talking to others around the world, participating in transmitter hunts, contests, hamfests and more. This is what I'll refer to as the "hobby" side of ham radio. But we all know that there is a "service" side too. When, for example, the telephones system, the Internet or electrical power fail during an emergency, Amateur Radio is there to fill the communication gap, and, in some cases, even serving as the sole source of communication. It is during times like these that public service groups like the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) come into play--and additional volunteers are always welcome. The Salvation Army also sponsors the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), which was active in the wake of the September 11 incidents. Then there's SKYWARN, the weather-spotting and tracking organization.

As a young amateur, you can make a positive difference in any of these organizations--through your talent, knowledge and ability. This is exactly what public service groups need more of, especially after the events of September 11.

Getting Started in Public Service

So how do you get started? Get involved! Ask at your next Amateur Radio club meeting or ask your Elmer to put you in touch with your local ARES Emergency Coordinator or RACES Radio Officer, then contact them to find out what you can do to help. They will greet you with open arms, and you will learn the gratification of getting involved in the service side of Amateur Radio.

The ARRL Web site has a wealth of information on Amateur Radio public service activities. Click on the "Public Service" link from the main page. Among other things, you'll find the on-line PDF version of the Public Service Communications Manual.

Get involved today!

Let's Get More Youth into our Hobby!

We all agree that Amateur Radio needs more young blood. The average age of hams in the US continues to creep ever so higher, and this is something I believe all amateurs should be concerned about. So, I'd like to offer some ideas on how all hams can motivate more youth to become interested, licensed and active in Amateur Radio.

Let's begin with your area's next hamfest. Hamfests are filled with fun, friends, and "wheeling and dealing" of ham radio gear. Many hams also enjoy participating in the information-filled forums that often take place during these fun events. Why not hold such a forum for young people at your next hamfest?

If there is one thing to keep in mind that will either make or break your efforts in getting young people into ham radio, it is being visible! The more promotional efforts you make--especially where other people will see them--the better. Holding a youth forum at a hamfest is a great idea to get young people together and fired up, thus increasing your odds of getting more youth to join our hobby! Such a forum can be developed and moderated by you along with another ham friend.

Here are some tips:

• Determine a specific purpose and set a goal. Forums are meaningless unless there is a purpose to hold them. Some great reasons to hold a youth forum include meeting new youth interested in ham radio, getting together to participate in a certain activity (think about Kids Day, JOTA, Field Day) or motivating youth so they will become active in a particular portion of our hobby. Give it some thought! There are many reasons to hold such a forum.

• Consider your audience. Who will it be? Will it be made up of young hams perusing the hamfest? The children of adult hams visiting the hamfest? Perhaps parents themselves, who might go home and tell their kids about the forum? Elementary or middle schoolers or high school students? Or perhaps a mixture of all of the above? It is important to estimate who your audience will be so you can decide on a topic or activities that will best suit them and make the forum enjoyable for all in your audience.

• Determine what participants will find interesting. Rather than asking "What do we want to happen at this forum?" ask "Now that we've decided why to hold this forum, what would the participants be interested in doing, so that they will enjoy and remember it?" Again, the choices are endless. Build a kit together. Talk about forming into an actual youth ham radio club. Plan a day to get on the air at your club station or to help each other upgrade. If the audience is made up of mainly youth who are not yet licensed, discuss (and demonstrate, if possible) how much fun they can have in ham radio and how they can get their tickets. If the audience is made up of parents, encourage them to get their sons and daughters involved in ham radio, and offer a helping hand to get them licensed.

• Make it fun from start to finish! As a college student, I absolutely hate being lectured to. Of course, I'd never admit this to my professors. In truth, however, that's how most people react to boring meetings. Work to build your forum around having a good time and around involving each member of the audience in fun, interactive activities, rather than having to listen to a lecture blandly from the podium.

• Plan well ahead of time. And don't forget to involve the hamfest's forums manager. This way, you'll make sure your event is established on the hamfest schedule.

• Promote, promote, promote! Announce your forum on nets and at club meetings weeks before the actual hamfest. In your announcements, ask members to encourage their sons and daughters to attend or to invite young people they may know in their neighborhoods. Ask young hams to bring their friends from school, through Scouting and other youth activities. Without promotion, you can't expect to have an audience!

• Keep in contact. During your forum, take down each audience member's name, telephone number and e-mail address, so you can keep in touch throughout the year and invite them back next time.

The number of young people attending your forum may vary depending on where your hamfest is located and also because your youth forum may be brand-new to your hamfest. Don't get discouraged if the turnout is light. Sometimes, you can be more effective working with a small group. As the word spreads about your awesome forum, you can expect your attendance to increase.

These are just the basics in holding a successful youth forum. I'm always glad to hear from you and share more ideas, and I'd also like to hear from others who are planning youth forums or have done so in the past so that we can spread the word on how to plan a successful event.

I would like to wish one and all a very happy and safe holiday season and all the best for the new year!

Editor's note: ARRL Life Member Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. A 21-year-old senior in electrical engineering at the University of New Mexico, he was the 1999 ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Award winner as well as the 1997 winner of the Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award. He was first licensed in 1992 at age 12 and holds an Amateur Extra class license. Brian enjoys CW, QRP transmitter hunting, satellite operation, digital modes and, of course, just speaking into the microphone. He's active in the Boy Scouts of America as an assistant scoutmaster and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. Brian welcomes visitors to his Web site at http://www.swcp.com/~n5zgt. Readers may contact him via e-mail, n5zgt@arrl.net.

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