I’m sure the vast majority of hams have heard the quip, “Youth are ruining ham radio,” or something similar.
I can assure you that I have.
I can’t even begin to count the number of times that young hams using digital modes has been equated with the downfall of the entire hobby as we know it. Regardless of this common stereotype, I think it’s time for us to take a deeper look into what youth are actually contributing to the hobby.
Young amateurs bring an impressive amount of enthusiasm and vivacity to the amateur radio community. They possess an immense amount of technical skill and flexibility, in addition to their nearly universal desire to create a welcoming and supportive environment for both their younger and older peers through volunteerism and encouragement.
From my experiences working with young hams and by looking at some of my favorite things to do in ham radio, I’ve noticed that younger members of the amateur radio community enjoy a number of things that older enthusiasts perhaps wouldn’t expect, including contesting, hamfests, rag-chewing, and even CW. Young hams bring with them into these realms technical adeptness that enhances the already existing methods of doing things and, in some cases, even develop new ones. They also provide diverse points of view and an openness to trying new things and meeting new people, all things that greatly benefit the hobby.
The young amateur radio operators who I’ve met through various organizations like YACHT (Young Amateur Communications Ham Team) and YOTA (Youth On The Air) offer new and unique ways of thinking as well as problem-solving abilities. The objectives of YACHT and YOTA are to get young hams together so that they can mentor each other and learn from people relatively close to their age.
Through the years, this model has proven extremely successful. For example, during the pandemic I was interested in learning about computer coding. One of my fellow YACHT members was interested in learning Morse code. Regardless of the geographical difference of nearly half the country, we quickly became friends and mentored each other in our respective areas of interest. To this day, we are still very close friends and share what we are learning through amateur radio.
Similar connections are common in the YOTA group as well. The young people who attend YOTA events leave with boundless new knowledge, connections, and, most importantly, new friends. By giving young hams the opportunity to learn from each other, the sharing of ideas is encouraged, leading to some pretty unique solutions to problems.
As I’m sure you’ve inferred by this point, young hams also have an overwhelming desire to make the amateur radio community a welcoming and supportive place for everyone they meet. The spirit of volunteerism is very much alive and well within the youth sector of amateur radio licensees. I’ve noticed that there is almost always a young ham with his or her older peers while they’re assisting with communication or coordination at community events like 5k races. From local clubs to larger groups like the Long Island CW Club, YACHT, and YOTA, there are always opportunities for young hams to serve the amateur radio community however they can or would like to.
There is an immense pressure on young people to volunteer, whether that be from their schools (some even requiring hours for graduation), the National Honor Society or similar organizations, or elsewhere. Amateur radio provides an opportunity to volunteer in a capacity that is meaningful to them and where they’ll get to see the positive effects of their work, resulting in a love of volunteerism and a desire to continue their work in these capacities long after it is “required” for school or other organizations.
All in all, after having reflected on the stigma that youth are “ruining” ham radio, I think we can agree that the opposite is true. The assertion that youth are a burden to the hobby and its history is far from the truth—if anything, they are helping expand the pre-existing culture of volunteerism while bringing a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm to the hobby. Hopefully, young hams will continue to pursue new ventures in amateur radio, be a source of enthusiasm, and elevate the hobby by encouraging their friends and family to become active and join the community of amazing people that amateur radio is.
