It's true, that are some who will tell us that we really have no idea who Younger hams are and how to connect with them, and on that rather weak excuse, refuse to try.
Actually, however, I think we do know who we're dealing with.
We're talking about a group of folks who are technically adept to the
point where they're the ones who get called to (As an example) solve
computer issues that vex their grandparents repeatedly. A group of
people who are used to the idea of carrying around more computing
horsepower in their pockets than they had aboard the Lunar lander and
know how to use it effectively. In the end we're talking about a group
of people who scare the living poop out of their elders in terms of
their tech ability, at least from a user standpoint.... and frankly, I
can't help thinking this is the reason the Hams of today are reluctant
to engage with the IPhone crowd.... or even more, the Android crowd.
(Given the android is somewhat more accessible in it's internals.)
The trick is to get their curiosity peaked into finding out what's under the hood of radio, and learning about THAT.
Obligatory Warning: Once you get to that point, mixing the old
and new technologies will be a natural thing for that crowd...That kind
of melding of skillsets is going to be a natural for these folks. I
speak from personal experience here, being someone who was a computer
hobby type back in the 70's and once I left the broadcast industry,
brought the skills of both fields to my Ham pursuits.
I wonder if that, too, isn't the cause of some reluctance on the part
of today's hams to engage with tomorrow's. Look at the resistance to
digi modes, etc. This new kind of Ham will bring changes with it that
some are going to be unwilling to accept. But as Vince Gill sang:
"Just teach 'em what you know
and pass it on down...
Even though you built it
It's a young man's town."
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