"Dee Flint" wrote


In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group to be the largest
segment. There are always a
lot of people who start activities but then drop out
for a wide variety of reasons.


Astute observation. It would be nice to find a way reduce that "first termer"
attrition by promoting an atmosphere which reinforces the reasons they took the
time and trouble to come aboard. To steal an idea from marketing, "It's usually
a lot easier and cheaper to keep an old customer than to identify and recruit a
new one."

73, de Hans, K0HB

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Dee Flint" wrote
In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group
group to be the largest segment. There are always a
lot of people who start activities but then drop out
for a wide variety of reasons.

Astute observation. It would be nice to find a way reduce that "first
termer" attrition by promoting an atmosphere which reinforces the reasons
they took the time and trouble to come aboard. To steal an idea from
marketing, "It's usually a lot easier and cheaper to keep an old customer
than to identify and recruit a new one."
73, de Hans, K0HB

From the different organizations I've been involved with, I think the
larger beginner "drop-out" is just a truth of human nature. I've seen it
in scouting, college, classic car clubs, etc. Exactly why newcomers move
on to other pursuits is one of life's mysteries in most cases.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Dee Flint" wrote


In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group to be the
largest segment. There are always a
lot of people who start activities but then drop out
for a wide variety of reasons.


Astute observation. It would be nice to find a way reduce that "first
termer" attrition by promoting an atmosphere which reinforces the reasons
they took the time and trouble to come aboard. To steal an idea from
marketing, "It's usually a lot easier and cheaper to keep an old customer
than to identify and recruit a new one."

73, de Hans, K0HB

There will always be some we won't be able to keep no matter how hard we
try. There will always be some who were just trying it out to see if they
would like it but then found that they preferred other activities more. And
that's ok. At least they have broadened there knowledge of the world a bit
even if they don't stay with it.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee Flint wrote:

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
groups.com...

KØHB wrote:


The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.

.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.

Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's productive,
but the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which we
might more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via the
Technician class which is now the largest single license class in the US,
comprising almost half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this
country, nearly equal to the combined total population of the three higher
classes.".

73, de Hans, K0HB



In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group to be the
largest segment. There are always a lot of people who start activities but
then drop out for a wide variety of reasons.

Every person that drops out is one small failure on our part.

We need to cultivate these new folk into the ARS. They are a resource
that is being largely ignored by the "better Hams".

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Dee Flint wrote:

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
egroups.com...

KØHB wrote:


The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.

.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.

Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's productive,
but the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which
we might more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via
the Technician class which is now the largest single license class in the
US, comprising almost half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this
country, nearly equal to the combined total population of the three
higher classes.".
73, de Hans, K0HB

In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group to be the
largest segment. There are always a lot of people who start activities
but then drop out for a wide variety of reasons.

Every person that drops out is one small failure on our part.

I wouldn't take it that seriously. Lots of folks start something
new only to learn it isn't their "cup of tea." Now if they
drop because others in the hobby (whatever the hobby) didn't
welcome them or otherwise treated them in an unwelcome manner...
then that is a shame and a failure.

We need to cultivate these new folk into the ARS. They are a resource that
is being largely ignored by the "better Hams".
- Mike KB3EIA -

Agree...We should always be encouraging new blood.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Dee Flint wrote:

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
egroups.com...

KØHB wrote:


The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.

.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.

Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's productive,
but the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which
we might more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via
the Technician class which is now the largest single license class in the
US, comprising almost half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this
country, nearly equal to the combined total population of the three
higher classes.".

73, de Hans, K0HB



In any activity it would be normal for the "beginners" group to be the
largest segment. There are always a lot of people who start activities
but then drop out for a wide variety of reasons.

Every person that drops out is one small failure on our part.


I disagree. Everyone who has been convinced to give it a try is a success
on our part. Not everyone who tries it will find it to be interesting to
them in the long run. However, they have enriched their lives and broadened
their horizons by even an introductory participation.

We need to cultivate these new folk into the ARS. They are a resource that
is being largely ignored by the "better Hams".

- Mike KB3EIA -

We do need to spend more time in working with people to determine if they
have a long term interest and help them develop that. Just because some
drop out doesn't mean that the ARS has failed. It is perfectly legitimate
for a person to start an activity and once they have learned something about
it to make the judgement that their interets do no lie in that particular
hobby. That's not an ARS failure.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

KØHB wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

KØHB wrote:


The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.


.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.


Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's productive, but
the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which we might
more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via the Technician
class which is now the largest single license class in the US, comprising almost
half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this country, nearly equal to the
combined total population of the three higher classes.".

Even if we do pick the nits, you have a point that is valid. A lot of
Technicians elect not to join the ARRL.

During the time that I was a Tech, I didn't think that the league was
relevant to what I was doing in Ham radio.

You know, stuff like helping with walkathons, 4-H events, Bike races....

Sound familiar to what you wrote? For about 2 years, the type of Ham
you spoke of was ME.

After I got my General license, I decided that ARRL was relevant to my
new interests.

And personal experience, not just opinion, is why I agree with you.

Event support is an overlooked area. Instead of the sometimes
(rightfully so) rigid protocols of the serious emergency work, it allows
the new guys and gals to get used to the idea of communications with
other people. We handle traffic, call for and receive assistance for the
occasional boo-boo, and occasional serious problem, but in a more
relaxed atmosphere. This is great for the new folks. It needs to be
encouraged.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Mike Coslo wrote:
K=D8HB wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

K=D8HB wrote:


The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.


.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.


Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's
productive, but
the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which
we might
more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via the
Technician
class which is now the largest single license class in the US,
comprising almost
half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this country, nearly
equal to the
combined total population of the three higher classes.".

Even if we do pick the nits, you have a point that is valid. A lot
of
Technicians elect not to join the ARRL.

During the time that I was a Tech, I didn't think that the league
was
relevant to what I was doing in Ham radio.

You know, stuff like helping with walkathons, 4-H events, Bike
races....

Sound familiar to what you wrote? For about 2 years, the type of Ham

you spoke of was ME.

After I got my General license, I decided that ARRL was relevant to
my
new interests.

You echo Len's observation. The ARRL is about HF radio using Morse
Code.

"bb" wrote

The ARRL is about HF radio using Morse Code.

Bull****.

bb wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote:

KØHB wrote:

wrote in message
egroups.com...

KØHB wrote:



The growth in numbers of Amateurs over the past decade
has been overwhelmingly via the Technician license.


.... since about 1987 or so, most new hams
have started out as Technicians.


Jim, we can nit-pick the semantics if you really think that's

productive, but

the two statements above both seem to convey the same notion, which

we might

more clearly state "Most new hams since 1991 have entered via the

Technician

class which is now the largest single license class in the US,

comprising almost

half (47.7%) of the population of licensees in this country, nearly

equal to the

combined total population of the three higher classes.".

Even if we do pick the nits, you have a point that is valid. A lot

of

Technicians elect not to join the ARRL.

During the time that I was a Tech, I didn't think that the league

was

relevant to what I was doing in Ham radio.

You know, stuff like helping with walkathons, 4-H events, Bike

races....

Sound familiar to what you wrote? For about 2 years, the type of Ham


you spoke of was ME.

After I got my General license, I decided that ARRL was relevant to

my

new interests.


You echo Len's observation. The ARRL is about HF radio using Morse
Code.


And lots of other modes too.

- Mike KB3EIA -