'Tuned out' to what is happening in the world of amateur radio?

Hello, I'm Jim Linton VK3PC with a look at an issue that is not new, but very frustrating for those involved in the administration of amateur radio, and event or activity organisers everywhere.

While there is a wide range of information sources available in our modern life, there are those who deliberately, are too busy, lazy or for other reasons, disengage from the world around them.

For example, each summer there are those who engage in unsafe activities such as burning off during declared fire danger periods, or have no knowledge of when a total fire ban day has been declared.

A similar level of a lack of awareness or knowledge is evident within the ranks of radio amateurs.

Despite the weekly VK1WIA broadcast being available via on air transmission, downloadable audio and its text edition, the internet generally, and Amateur Radio magazine, there are those in Australia who don’t keep up with important developments and the news.

The recent National Field Day is an example. There were those contacting field stations on air asking what was happening, and admitting they had not heard that such an event was being held.

A similar thing happens during the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend and other well publicised events.

Recently the Radio Society of Great Britain, General Manager, Peter Kirby, G0TWW picked up on the 'tuned out' syndrome in his blog.

He wrote: "....it's very apparent that an element of the Society’s membership goes into hibernation for long periods of time. Despite a survey showing that ninety percent of our members have access to the internet and all get RadCom (magazine), they remain blissfully ill informed as to what is going on in the world of amateur radio."

He cites a letter from a 'belligerent member who threatened to resign unless the RSGB changed its stance on compulsory Morse Testing,' and how unfair it was that Class B licence holders are still restricted to VHF operation only.

And this despite the fact that Morse code as a compulsory licence requirement ended in the United Kingdom in 2003. Indeed the end of Morse code testing is still not yet fully appreciated by some in Australia.

The work being done by national radio societies and the International Amateur Radio Union to protect and further the rights and privileges of radio amateurs worldwide also, disappointingly does not have the recognition it deserves.

Despite news and information being readily available about this crucial advocacy work, the message is not reaching its target audience.

Being informed and aware, can make our wonderful hobby of amateur radio even more enjoyable.

Jim Linton VK3PC

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