I was listening to a Ham Radio Podcast (resonant frequency) and he brought up a good point and factoid. Out of every 20 newly licensed Technicians only 1 will ever get on the air. While my thought is that this is a little low, I thought it might be closer to 5-8, but still a sad statistic. As our group grows we need to do our best to “Fellowship” or “Elmer” these new hams almost as much as we do the new members of the LDS Church.

How do we do this?

I’ll paraphrase the late President Hinckley. Original Talk can be found here.
1. A Friend (Elmer) that a new ham can turn to guide them in getting, and staying on the air. This can be the church group, or we can also utilize the tools the are already available to us, the local clubs. We need to not only invite and remind them of these meetings and nets, we need to take them, or make ourselves, and our radios available to them to get them on the air.

2. Secondly, they need a radio, while this is pretty self explanatory, you would be amazed how many are over whelmed with this decision, or don’t fully understand what they need/want. We need to be there for them, search the online auctions, swap and trade site/nets, and take them to Hamfests. Talk to them about their expectations, help guide them to a reasonable selection. Be sensitive to their financial needs, not every can afford the thousand dollar all band all mode transceiver. A simple HT or mobile rig can get the job done and get them on the air, but may not be what is most appropriate for this new ham. A simple 2m/70cm base station can be the best for them. We cannot overlook the importance of a quality, not to be confused with expensive, antenna to go with this radio. If the signal has no where to go, then they will not use it.

3. Lastly they need to be constantly nourished/trained by daily or at least a few times a week use of their radio. Which is why I am a big proponent of the mobile 2m/70cm radio’s. Granted, not every has the 1.5 hour plus commutes like I do, but even just running down to the local Wally World, they can put their call out on the local repeater and start to conquer “mic-fright”. They can meet other hams that live near them, and have similar interests in Ham Radio, or be introduced to a new aspect that they did not know existed.

This may be preaching to the choir, but it is still some thing that all hams, and especially those that are trying to grow an active emergency communications group needs to keep on the top of their heads. We might have licensed hams in the group, but if they are not active and trained then they might as well not be counted as licensed.

73 – Ryan – KI4REX