K3MRI

MaryAnn, I would be curious to know if any of the ideas I gave in the previous post ring any kind of truth or relevance to you?

Clearly I'm losing it. We already have a QSL gallery but no-one, EXCEPT for you Anthony, has posted there. It's been there for a while... https://hamcommunity.com/gallery/category/26-qsl-cards/ Here's hoping I can figure out a way to increase posting there. Home page it is...

5 watts from Ontario to Florida. I truly love our hobby! If only non-hams could understand what that means!! Great work Andy!!!

I’m back. Let’s start by eliminating the obvious, misguided, antiquated excuses. No, it’s not about STEM. Though not where we need to be, over the past few decades, women have made significant strides in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). There have been substantial increases in the number of women earning degrees in these fields. While still underrepresented in certain disciplines like computer science and engineering, women now earn over half of the bachelor's degrees in biological and physical sciences. Prominent women have also increasingly held leadership roles in STEM, such as CEOs of tech companies, heads of research institutions, and policy leaders. Female scientists and engineers have been receiving greater recognition for their contributions, including prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize. Some might argue that it has to do with traditional stereotypes assigned to initially male-assigned hobbies. If that were the case, then equestrian sports, fencing, and now soccer would be male-only or mostly. I know for a fact that dressage and jumping have become female dominated. Admittedly, transition is necessary. Why is the transition to female parity, or at least partial representation, has not occurred? Interestingly, in another thread, a comment is made about how ARRL, and likely the other national organizations worldwide, remain dominated by men who continue to steer their organization in a direction that reflects this stagnant image (https://hamcommunity.com/topic/2521-what-are-the-compliments-or-complaints-for-or-against-the-arrl/?do=findComment&comment=5684&_rid=1). I would argue that we are at an inflection point that requires the achievement of critical mass. As you know, critical mass is a concept in sociology that refers to the smallest possible size or amount that an initiative, movement, or action needs to continue on its own or achieve a specific result. Essentially, once the "critical mass" is reached, a certain phenomenon becomes self-sustaining or self-perpetuating. The term is borrowed from physics, where it refers to the smallest amount of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction. In the social sciences, it's often used to describe the point at which social behavior or trends become widespread or mainstream. For instance, the adoption of a new technology could depend on reaching a critical mass of users for the technology to be successful and sustainable. How do we achieve a critical mass of women in amateur radio? Here’s an idea… a woman at the helm of ARRL. Here’s another… SOTA… I’m serious. A study from the Outdoor Foundation reported that in the U.S., roughly half of outdoor participants were female. Why not let those hikers know that they can add a cool practice - amateur radio - to a practice they already love - hiking. How about cars, especially off-road vehicles? Though men were traditionally the buyers of off-road vehicles, by far, the trend has changed. The evidence remains anectodal but documented. Women are the driving force behind off-road vehicles (not urban-oriented SUVs but genuine off-road vehicles). Reach out to them and associate their activity with the benefits and fun of amateur radio. In short, and in conclusion, more than anything we have an image problem, not an interest or capacity problem. Modern women are as technical and outdoors and geeky as men. But they see Amateur Radio for what it is, currently, an old white man’s sport. They don’t see the relation to their modern, technical, ambitious, busy lives. This image can be changed, if the powers that be choose to. BTW, I face this issue at home. My wife is capable, smart, accomplished… probably more so than me, and I kid not. My daughters are also the same, one being a very successful attorney with, wait for it, a passion for statistics! Ask any of the three why they are not attracted to ham radio, and the answer is universal… they see it as an activity for old men. Who can blame them? When I take them to a hamfest they play a game: “Let’s count the women or the younger than 50!” Last point is about marketing. Manufacturers… target women! Target diversity! Create a space for women! Oh, right, and please do so without the usual, low-brow separative messaging. It’s not about women vs. men. It’s not about pink vs. blue. It’s about inclusiveness. Take a lesson from our military. The military succeeded in growing women’s numbers dramatically. We’ve gone from under 5% during the Vietnam era - mostly in traditional roles e.g. nursing, administration, etc. - to now approaching 20% including flying fighters and finally now becoming a Chief of Staff (Admiral Franchetti, Navy). Let’s continue the discussion and, who knows, maybe we’ll shift the needle… Also, if anyone has a nice photo that I can use to illustrate this article, please post it so that I can promote this article to the front page!

Insightful and despite the discomfort it creates, true, to me anyway. I like how you point us in the direction of not anti-white male, kinda hard when we are both old white guys, but rather the need to project diversity and said diversity, before I get jumped, is well within the scope of the universal. Women, people of all orgins, youth, the disabled, but also those of faith and those without, conservatives but also progressives, pro and anti-2nd amendment, and so on. In other words, universal hobbies such as amateur radio should not feel like the domain of one group but rather the domain of all and, like you Andy, I believe that our national (and international) organizations must reflect this diversity with more than an occasional reference in some obscure article or policy position. And, as you said also, this is the most assured way of driving new interest and membership. I guess I’ll summarize by saying that there is a choice to be made between today and tomorrow. If you want to satisfy today, i.e. the status quo, then remain anchored in what is and what was. If you want to grow the hobby in link-step with society, then do so with what could be. So yes, Andy, I agree.

Ouch, you dropped a big question in a tiny sentence... Well done. Okay, this is going to take a very long think and response, on my part anyway. But I will say this, I am already amazed that it is 3/20, that means 15%! I honestly thought that it was less. But as to the why, to be continued... later today or in the coming couple... Edited 1 minute and 14 seconds after the initial post Posted: Aslo, after a couple of responses, I am definitely moving this topic to the front page picks!!

That's something I should do... I'm going to create a QSL Card image gallery. Maybe two... one for fronts only, one for backs. I have to go out right now, but when I get back, I'll do that.

All right... first of all, Otto was not his brother but his father!!! 😳 Also, Werner, though born in Germany, was actually American and SERVED in the U.S. Army in WWII! Wow, I never knew. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Klemperer

Did you know that Klink aka Werner Klemperer was, in real life, a gifted musician and his brother, I Otto Klemperer was a well known conductor! Full disclosure, my favorite character oscillates depending on the year. I am currently in a Carter mood 😲 The only one I never really liked was Newkirk; nope, not my guy. But yeah, John Banner was the show; without him...

You know who loved Hogan's Heroes??? Obviously me, but also my dad... a POW 😳

Hi Tom. I love where this conversation is going because we might ultimately arrive at a point, a few months down the road, where there is a constructive set of recommendations for ARRL, as well as RAC, JARL and anyone else who wants to listen. One quick note on your 'Emergency Communicator' comment. I actually can visualize what an emergency communicator is. The problem is that we rarely make use of said person. Without wasting time describing what a communicator can offer in an emergency, the problem is that we lack the proper organization to responsibly intervene. Look at what the Cajun Navy has done. They've organized and mobilized and are now a credible flood rescue operation. Most times amateurs have intervened, the output has been lackluster ( @KN3U ) might be able to weigh in here. In short, what I believe is missing is not the definition of an Emergency Communicator but rather and true Emergency Communication Organization. With due respect to ARES, Satern, etc. nobody is operating on the level of the Cajun Navy.

Welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

Lind, I found it and can watch it! Will revert with comments as soon as I do. Trailer looks promising.

Just searched and, indeed, Resistance: 1942 is only available on Showtime. It's a very recent movie and actually looks great. I've put an alert for when it shows up on one of the services I use.

I don't have showtime. I will look around to see if I find it elsewhere. I love hogan's heroes. I recently binged the entire series!

Welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

Welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

Adding a note we just received from Rick Roderick, K5UR, President of ARRL.

Hi Carlos and welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

In reading this account, Tom, I realize that I need to add a WOW emoji. None of the ones in my current slide out captures one's natural reaction to the story. 😲 How long before she ever used a phone again? The closest I know of a similar event was a fellow officer cadet during boot camp who was using her hair dryer in the barracks in the middle of a thunderstorm. Lightning struck and her dryer blew apart. She actually suffered some scrapes and burns. She was alone in the WC at the time but we heard it throughout the building, it was loud. Sorry, but I can still picture your mom's stunned face as the phone flew across the room!!!

THIS DISCUSSION THREAD IS RESERVED FOR DISCUSSIONS RELATING TO REPEATERS AND FREQUENCIES ONLY. PLEASE KEEP DISCUSSIONS FOCUSSED. IF YOU HAVE OTHER - NON-NET CONTROL - ISSUES TO DISCUSS, PLEASE USE A DIFFERENT THREAD. AND TO DISCUSS PURELY NET CONTROL ISSUES, GO TO THIS THREAD: https://hamcommunity.com/topic/2565-net-control-discussion/ Thanks

THIS DISCUSSION THREAD IS RESERVED FOR DISCUSSIONS RELATING TO NET CONTROL OPERATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS ONLY. PLEASE KEEP DISCUSSIONS FOCUSSED. IF YOU HAVE OTHER - NON-NET CONTROL - ISSUES TO DISCUSS, PLEASE USE A DIFFERENT THREAD. ALSO, THIS IS NOT THE REPEATERS AND FREQUENCY DISCUSSION, THERE IS ANOTHER THREAD FOR THIS (https://hamcommunity.com/topic/2566-repeaters-and-frequencies-discussion/ Thanks

Welcome aboard and thanks so much for volunteering for the Marine Corps Marathon! Let's hope this is a good vintage. 73 Jim | K3MRI PS. If you run into any issues, please reach out!!

On 75m !!!! Very cool. 😎

Part of what we are hoping to accomplish with 146.52 is to some day show that there is a critical mass of us who are committed to making 146.52 MHz a highly-used travel frequency. Sign the pledge here: https://hamcommunity.com/forms/5-14652pledge/