RadioBanter - View Single Post - Antisocial Hams- The Reason People Turn Away

August 13th 03, 01:17 AM

From: "Dee D. Flint"

Speculation is not evidence. If you haven't asked them, then there is NO
way you can know.

I'm trying my best. Meet'g up with those Hams and verifying the claim is not an
easy task.

And what do you think "most people" do? Everyone I know does something
different.
A lot of people simply stay
home because they aren't interested in spending their money on bars and
parties.

Most people would vacation at a vacation spot. Especially when they took the
day off. Especially when they are at that location the want to do the vacation
activities specific to that location.

After their visit to that vacation location, they won't be able to do those
activities again. They can operate from their shack any day of the week.

Besides that, this is only a few
weekends out of the year.

That's why, when you actually get a vacation, you should do the vacation
activities. You won't get that chance to do those activities at another
time/place. Why go to THAT location if you aren't going to do anything there
that involves THAT location.

Now, I'm not saying radio propagation does not involve THAT location. But, they
had plenty of operating time day, and night to experience that. They just chose
to cut themselves off from the other experiences of THAT location.

Therefore if
they are "put off" by the hamfest, it's quite possible that ham radio is not
the hobby for them just like it's not appropriate for you.

I'm not put off by Hamfests, just Hams. Originally something in amateur radio
got me interested, even addicted. Although, a few months ago, I personally
dropped out of the EE field. I still like to build stuff for fun. I just don't
see those same qualities in what got me interested in Amateur radio and the
activities and interests in the Ham radio clubs support. Also, that most Hams
are anti-social, doesn't help either.

We don't need
more people with licenses who are not active.

"Active" does not just mean contest scores. It can also mean Homebrewing,
troubleshooting, tuning, radio direction finding, AND antenna setups.

Have you ever been to other major events in other hobbies?

This applies to any hobby, not just radio. I still wouldn't do those hobbies
either on Fri, Sat night at a vacation spot.